Introduction to Contemporary Africa

Catalog description

Consideration of influences and forces shaping modern African society; analysis of current local and global problems and issues facing Africa are the central focus of the course. "Introduction to Contemporary Africa" offers students a view of contemporary Africa as a complex, significant, and richly diverse continent which has been heavily impacted by its colonial history. The course presents an introduction to African history, politics and cultures by drawing on intellectual resources from the continent combined with those from the rest of the world. The course aims to expand students' knowledge of intersecting cultures, histories, policies, and economics in a globalized world. The course provides students with an opportunity to deconstruct some of the influences and forces that have shaped and continue to shape modern Africa and thus providing students with an opportunity to investigate, explore and analyze the current local and global issues facing Africa. In this course the student will engage with some of the literature about contemporary Africa and develop skills at reading, analyzing, and writing within the interdisciplinary approach of African Studies. The overarching goal of this course is to help students understand contemporary African societies and their socioeconomic characteristics. The course provides students the opportunity to investigate Africa's multifaceted realities, explore: (1) The continent and its history; (2) Africa's dichotomous political, economic and institutional systems and their impacts and implications for governance and development; (3) The continent¿s social and environmental conditions and their impacts and implications on issues, such as demography, urbanization, gender relations public and social services and lastly; and (4) Characteristics of African culture whereby we explore African literature, theater, cinema, the arts, and belief systems.