COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST: POLI 346 (AFRICA AND THE GLOBAL SYSTEM)

                           DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

                                          UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

SECOND SEMESTER, 2013/2014

Course Title:  POLI 346: Africa and the Global System

Instructor:  Dr. Ziblim Iddi

Email: ziddi48@hotmail.com

Phone:  0246-050338

Office:  Room 15, Department of Political Science

Office Hours:  Mon./Tue./Fri – 2pm to 4pm or by appointment

Classroom:  NNB 3 @ 07:30 – 09:20 (Wed.)

COURSE OUTLINE

This course will focus on the origins, nature and actors in the global system, as well as Africa’s position and relationship with the major actors.  It is organized in two parts.  Part I will examine the historical and theoretical perspectives of the global system; and the evolution of Africa’s interactions in the global system.  Part II will then explore Africa’s relationship with various states and non-state actors in the global system. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of offering this course is to encourage students to form independent judgments about Africa’s role and position in the global system.  Students will be encouraged to be able to identify what is, and what is not a factor in undermining Africa’s progress.  We will succeed in this class if during the coming weeks students increased their ability to analyze current policy debates on global issues, and to understand and explain the complex interactions of actors in the global system that have direct impact on Africa.   

COURSE DESIGN

The course has a lecture-discussion format.  That is, introductory lectures will outline the central issues to be addressed in the various sections; these lectures will be followed by informed discussions.  A Power Point presentation would be adopted in the lectures. 

READINGS

Every week, there are assigned topics for discussion.  It is important that students come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings both in terms of the historical substance covered by them as well as the interpretation advanced by the author.  Reading materials listed below is a MUST read for a decent grade in the course.  The readings have been selected to provide a sure basis for class discussions.  These readings are, however, only representative of a large body of literature with which students should become familiar through their studies.  Note that the readings detailed below are constantly under review; additional/revised readings and sources of information will be forthcoming. 

CALENDAR OF CLASSES

Feb. 12            Course Overview and discussion of course outline

Feb. 19            What is the Global System?

                        Dougherty (pp.597-623).  

Feb. 26            Understanding Africa’s Position in the Global System 

                        Baffour-Awuah (chpt. 1); Ake (pp.32-46); Chabal & Daloz (chpt. 8)

Mar. 05            Africa in the World Economy.

                        Wallerstein (pp.30-50); Amin (pp.7-17)

Mar. 12            European Imperialism in Africa.

                        Rodney (chpt. 6)

Mar. 19            Africa and the Bretton Woods Institutions

                        Francis (pp.90-113); Stein (2004).

Mar. 26            Interim Assessment (I.A)

                        

Apr. 02            Lagos Plan of Action and NEPAD.

                       

Apr. 09            Africa-Europe Relations.

                        Chazan et al (pp.302-305, 377-388); The South Center

Apr. 16            Africa-US Relations.

                        Rothchild and Keller(pp.1-45); The South Center

Apr. 23            Africa-China Relations.

                        Gros (pp.33-65); Meidan, M; Rios, X.

Apr. 30            The Crisis of Leadership in Africa.

                        Richburg (pp.53-57); Houngnikpo (pp.5-15).

May. 07           Course Review and Evaluation.

May.14            Revision Week

READING GUIDE

1.      Gutkind, Peter C. W. and Wallerstein, Immanuel, The Political Economy of Contemporary Africa, Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. 1976.

2.      Amin, Samir, Maldevelopment: Anatomy of a Global Failure, New Jersey, NJ: Zed Books Ltd., 1990.

3.      Dougherty, James E., “The Study of the Global System” in Rosenau, James N.; Kenneth W. Thompson, and Gavin Boyd, World Politics: an Introduction , New York, NY: Free Press, 1976.

4.      Gos, Jean-Germain, “Realism in Silk: The International Relations of China’s Africa Diplomacy” in Ghana Social Science Journal vol. 3. No. 1&2, June/Dec. 2005.

5.      Richburg, Keith B., “Why is Africa Eating Asia’s Dust? the Washington Post, July20-26, 1992.

6.      Houngnikpo, Mathurin, “Stuck at the Runway: Africa’s Distress Call” Africa Insight, May 2000.

7.      NEPAD Annual Report, 2003/2004.

8.      Ake, Claude: A Political Economy of Africa. (New York, Longman, 1981).

9.      Francis, Fitzgerald A., “Structural Adjustment in Africa: Theoretical and Practical Issues” in Aryeetey, Ernest (ed): Planning African Growth and Development; Some Current Issues. (Accra, ISSER/UNDP, 1992).  

10.  Baffour-Awuah, Simpe S. : Africa: A Pawn in International Power Politics. (Accra, Sususbiribi Investment Ltd, 2011).

11.  Chabal, Partrick and Daloz Jean-Pascal: Africa Works; Disorder as Political Instrument. (Indiana, Indiana university Press, 1999).

12.  Chazan, Naomi et al: Politics and Society in Contemporary Africa. (Boulder, Colorado, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1992).

13.   Rothchild, Donald and Keller, Edmond J. : Africa-US Relations: Strategic Encounters. (Boulder, London, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2006).

14.  Rodney, Walter: How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. (Washington D.C., Howard University Press, 1982).