Socio-political analysis of Africa

Teacher(s)

De Leener Philippe;

Language

French

Main themes

All themes of general interest are examined, mainly the questions of ethnicity, conflict internal violence, the relation between the states and civil societies, natural resources management, collective action, social move-ments, democracy and governance, decentralization and external relations

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Acquaintance with topics and analysis on the socio-political situation of African states

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.

Content

The course aims at developing the capacity to understand what is really at stake in the fields of politics in Africa (understanding the “why that?” but also the “why that this particular way?”. It also aims at getting rid of lots of Westernized preconceptions and prejudices that prevent from properly deciphering the political “machinery” actually at work in Africa.
The course is roughly split into three parts: (1) analyzing so-called “good governance” and democracy in Africa, (2) investigating political frames and dynamics in the light of five crucial analytical keys (individual, collective, norms and rules, power and change addressed from an African angle of view) and (3) practically probing the actual functioning of the political sphere in a selection of African countries (applying concepts and learning in working groups).

Teaching methods

Participatory and active methods will be prioritized from the beginning. Practical student experiences will be particularly valued as far as possible. Professional and first line witnesses would be invited to share their own lived-through experiences closely related to matters addressed during the course (field actors, researchers, activists, …).

Evaluation methods

Written examination. Four reflection questions in close connection with subject matters that have been deepened during the course.

Other information

It is  advised to have a basic knowledge of subsaharan Africa

Faculty or entity

PSAD