MVZ241 Democracy, the state and conflict in Africa

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Prof. Dr. Siegmar Schmidt (lecturer), Mgr. Jana Urbanovská, Ph.D. (deputy)
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 1. 4. 18:00–19:40 U23, Tue 2. 4. 14:00–15:40 U33, Wed 3. 4. 16:00–17:40 exP21, Thu 4. 4. 16:00–17:40 P22, Fri 5. 4. 10:00–11:40 P22
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 48 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The goal of the course is to help students better understand the relation between democracy, state and conflict in Africa.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to explain the historical legacies stemming from colonialism and decolonialization; describe main problems connected to the process of democratization and state-building in Africa; evaluate the significance of "governance" in Africa; and discuss the role of the African Union in the management of the multiple problems that the continent faces.
Syllabus
  • 1. Sub-Saharan Africa: Historical legacies from Colonialism and de-colonialization (1.4.2019)
  • 2. Democratization in Africa: From authoritarian rule to a continent of “defective democracies” and failed states? (2.4.2019)
  • 3. “Things fall apart again”? State collapse in Africa (3.4.2019)
  • 4. A “Curse of Resources”? The significance of Governance (4.4.2019)
  • 5. The African Union (AU) – more than a paper tiger? An African response to Africa’s problems (5.4.2019)
Literature
  • ROTBERG, Robert I. China into Africa: Trade, Aid, and Influence. Brookings Institution Press, 2008, 350 pp. ISBN 0-8157-7561-X. info
  • The African Union and its institutions. Edited by John Akokpari - Angela Ndinga-Muvumba - Timothy Murithi. [Cape Town]: Centre for Conflict Resolution, 2008, xxvi, 390. ISBN 9781920196486. info
  • MAKINDA, Samuel M. and F. Wafula OKUMU. The African Union : challenges of globalization, security, and governance. 1st ed. Oxon: Routledge, 2007, xvii, 209. ISBN 9780203940112. info
  • POWELL, Kristiana. The African Union's emerging peace and security regime: opportunities and challenges for delivering on the responsibility to protect. Ottawa: Pretoria, 2005. ISBN 1919913890. info
  • THOMSON, Alex. An introduction to African politics. Second edition. and New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2004, x, 284. ISBN 0415282624. info
  • State failure and state weakness in a time of terror. Edited by Robert I. Rotberg. Cambridge: World Peace Foundation, 2003, viii, 354. ISBN 0815775733. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, discussions, documentary movie.
Assessment methods
Written exam based on the presentations and readings. The exam will take place during the exam period (exact dates will be specified).
Due to the limited number of sessions, it is essential that students attend all five of them.
The lecturer strongly urges students to avoid using laptops and other devices for purposes that are not directly related to the lectures.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: April 5 - 7/ Exam April 9.
Teacher's information
Contact person: Jana Urbanovská (79161@mail.muni.cz)
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2018, Spring 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2019, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2019/MVZ241