Land and Labor Movements in Contemporary Africa

Catalog description

‘Africa rising’ has become an influential, albeit contested, narrative used by institutions like the IMF and WEF to describe the rapid economic growth in 21st century Africa. However, the ‘Africa rising’ narrative could also refer to widespread popular uprisings, protests & strikes taking place across the continent of Africa. The course introduces important theoretical perspectives, debates, & examples to equip students to critically explore contemporary social resistance through the interconnected themes of land, labor & environmental rights and struggles that have gripped different regions of the African continent. We also explore how movements for socioeconomic rights intersect with questions of race, ethnicity and indigeneity.