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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies)

Postgraduate Course: Contemporary Debates in Africa (PGSP11470)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryContemporary Debates in Africa aims to allow students to frame and interrogate a range of ongoing debates regarding social, political, and development issues on the African continent. The course builds on and complements theories and skills addressed in Building Blocks in African Studies (PGSP1147) and Research in Africa (PGSP11340). While the course is focused on Africa, we will explore connections to the ways that these topics have developed in other parts of the world. Attention is placed on contemporary topics but the course will also situate these issues in a historic context. We will discuss ways the debates have shifted over time, often in response to international events. Contemporary Debates in Africa is interdisciplinary and encourages students to examine how various disciplines, primarily, anthropology, history, and politics, contribute to a deeper understanding of the weekly topic.
Course description Contemporary Debates in Africa aims to allow students to frame and interrogate a range of ongoing debates regarding social, political, and development issues on the African continent. The course builds on and complements theories and skills addressed in Building Blocks in African Studies (PGSP1147) and Research in Africa (PGSP11340). While the course is focused on Africa, we will explore connections to the ways that these topics have developed in other parts of the world. Attention is placed on contemporary topics but the course will also situate these issues in a historic context. We will discuss ways the debates have shifted over time, often in response to international events. Contemporary Debates in Africa is interdisciplinary and encourages students to examine how various disciplines, primarily, anthropology, history, and politics, contribute to a deeper understanding of the weekly topic.

The debate topics are intentionally divisive and require the presenter to choose one side of the argument. This is designed to help develop the ability to make an academic argument, a skill necessary for successful essay and dissertation writing. Group discussions and a longer essay will also allow students to explore the other side of the argument and choose the perspective they most agree with.

Each week we will also critically examine who is participating in and driving the debate (academics, policy makers, NGOs, activists, etc.). We will reflect on the various positionalities and how they may impact the arguments and goals. Students are encouraged to engage with credible writings outside of academia to supplement academic literature.

Weekly topics include:
Middle Class in Africa
Celebrity Activism
Conflict Minerals
International Criminal Court
Peacekeeping
BRICs in Africa
Aid and Authoritarianism
Social Media for Change
HIV and Sexuality


Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Understand the background and context of selected contemporary issues in Africa.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how debate topics relate to concepts, theories and critiques within African Studies and Development Studies
  3. Locate and evaluate relevant literature on the selected issues
  4. Construct original arguments and critically examine the arguments of others
  5. Effectively communicate complex ideas and relationships through oral presentations and written assignments
Reading List
Background readings:

Anderson, D., Cheeseman, N., eds. 2013. Routledge Handbook of African Politics. London: Routledge.

Chabal, P., Daloz, J. P. 1999. Africa works: Disorder as political instrument. Oxford: James Currey.
Cheeseman, N. 2015. Democracy in Africa: Successes, Failures, and the Struggle for Political Reform. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Cooper, F. 2002. Africa Since 1940: The past of the present. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Nugent, P. 2004 [or the second edition, 2012]. Africa since Independence: A comparative history. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.

Specific readings will be provided for each topic, including peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and online outlets like academic blogs and government, NGO, and activist reports
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills 1. Undertaking and presenting scholarly work
2. Participating in group discussion
3. Making appropriate use of library and IT resources
4. Theoretically and contextually framing potential research questions
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Maggie Dwyer
Tel: (0131 6)51 5076
Email: M.Dwyer@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Becky Guthrie
Tel:
Email: becky.guthrie@ed.ac.uk
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