UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
SEMESTER 2017/2018 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE CODE AND TITLE: POLI 448: ISSUES IN AFRICA’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
CREDITS HOURS: 3
Lecture Period(s) and Venue:
Main Campus: JQB14; Monday 3:30 pm-5:20 pm
City Campus: NLC, 3rd Floor RW; 10am-12 noon.
Name of Course Instructor: Nene-Lomotey Kuditchar, PhD
Office Location: Room 14 Department of Political Science
Office Hours: Monday 12 nnon-2 pm; Thursdays 3pm-4pm
E-mail: nkuditchar@ug.edu.gh
Course Overview
Africa is unique in its interaction with the rest of the world. Its peoples have had to contend with acute internal and external pressures which have shaped its systems. While some of the pressures have undermined state institutions and thus retarded their capacity to underpin human progress, others have served as a source resilience and creative adjustment. Generally however, the balance of forces in the continent’s interaction with the rest of the world are yet to be mastered by the continent’s duty bearers in ways that will facilitate human security. This course is meant to stimulate critical reflection and discussion of Africa’s pattern of interaction with external entities and systems and in the process trigger innovative ideas about how their disruptive effects can be contained.
Course Objective/Goals:
Against the background of the course overview, students will be equipped with theoretical frameworks with which to sort out the complex dynamics of Africa’s international relations into simple easy to discern patterns. This will enable students to understand the impact and the range of adjustment to specific issues that define Africa’s external interactions. The end result of this is to simulate critical thinking and interest beyond the popular perception of Africa as backward and vulnerable in international affairs.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will
i. Understand, explain and apply theories that can be used to define Africa’s international relations.
ii. Critically apply the theoretical literature to empirical examples;
iii. Organize and deploy evidence in the context of the above;
iv. Evaluate research material in a critical way and develop research projects.
Course Delivery:
It is mandatory for students to attend all lecture and tutorial sessions. Students, in addition to this, are required to thoroughly read all recommended texts and also to actively participate in discussions.
Plagiarism policy
The definition of plagiarism, is stated in subsection 41(1) (d) of the Statutes of the University of Ghana, 2012, as to present the idea or work of another without credit of authorship. Plagiarism can also mean the reuse of one’s own work without suitable acknowledgement. This is referred to as self-plagiarism, text recycling and salami publishing. Such activities constitute academic fraud or theft and thus a breach ethical, pedagogical and legal norms. Plagiarism in any form is offensive and shall be treated as a serious wrongdoing. Appropriate sanctions, as stipulated in the Plagiarism Policy of the University of Ghana, will be applied when any student is found to have violated the policy. Please follow the link http://www.ug.edu.gh/aqau/policies-guidelines for further information.
Civility
Civility in the classroom is expected of all students. Anyone who disrupts class to the extent that other’s educational opportunities are diminished may be asked to leave the classroom. Cell phones must be turned off at all times in during lecture sessions.
Students with Special Needs
Students with special needs should register with the Office of Students with Special Needs, located in the University of Ghana Computing Services (UGCS) building, next to the Student Financial Aid Office;
Tel: +233-24-457-5177; E-mail: ossnug@gmail.com. Please contact me as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodation can be arranged.
Assessment and Grading
Two assessment exercises as indicated below will be used in this course:
• Two interim assessment exams [fifteen per cent each]
• One final exam [seventy percent].
Grading Scale
Please refer to the relevant section of the University’s undergraduate handbook
Disclaimer:
I reserve the right to change any readings, dates and requirements listed in this syllabus. If this occurs, every effort will be made to announce the changes well in advance. You are responsible for any changes made and announced in class.
Lecture schedule and recommended reading list
Week 1 [5th February, 2018]
Prelude: The Dawn of the Westphalia State in Africa and the “Situation” in 2018
Recommended Text
Korybko, A. (2018, Febuary Friday). 2018 Outlook: Africa. Retrieved from Oriental Review.Org: https://orientalreview.org/2017/12/29/2018-outlook-africa/
Assignment: Analyses of possible scenarios under which the Korzybski’s forecasts will be invalidated.
Shih-tsung , W. (2018, Febuary 5). The Conference of Berlin. Retrieved from http://140.112.142.79/publish/pdfs/22/22_08.pdf
Assignment: A counterfactual analysis of the Berlin Confrence of 1984/85.
Week 2 [12th February, 2018]
Theoretical Considerations of Africa’s International Experience:
Geo-politics, Geo-economics and Meta-geopolitics
a. Geo-politics
Recommended Text
Ágnes, B. (2008, Febuary 5). Geopolitics and/or Geoeconomics: Geopolitics in the 21st Century. Retrieved from Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279536768_Geopolitics_andor_Geoeconomics
Flint, C. (2008). Introduction to Geopolitics. London: Routledge.
Murphy, A., Newman, D., Bassin, M., & Agnew, J. (2004). Is there a Politics to Geopolitics? Progress in Human Geography, 619-640.
Sloan , G., & Gray, C. S. (2008). Why Geopolitics? The Journal of Strategic Studies, 1-11.
b. Geo-economics
Recommended Text
Baru, S. (2012). Geo-economics and Strategy. Survival: Global Politics and Strategy, 47-58.
c. Meta-geopolitics
Recommended Text
Al-Rodhan, N. (2009, May 5). Multi-Sum Security: Five Distinct Dimensions . Retrieved from ETH-Zurich: http://www.css.ethz.ch/en/services/digital-library/articles/article.html/124192/pdf
AL-Rodhan, N. (2011). Sustainable Global Security. In F. Gere, & M. Sharpe, Global Security: A Vision for the Future (pp. 3-7). Geneva: IOS Press.
Week 3 [19th February, 2018]
o First interim assessment
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations
Geo-political: Militarization of International Relations
Recommended Text
Ayferam, G. (2016). The Advent of Competing Foreign Powers in the Geo-strategic Horn of Africa Analysis of Opportunity and Security Risk for Ethiopia. International Relations and Diplomacy, 787-800.
Deen, E. S. (2013). AFRICOM: Protecting US Intrests Disguised as Military Partnerships in Africa. Doha: Al Jazeera Center for Studies.
Enuka, C. (2011). China’s Military Presence in Africa: Implications for Africa’s Woobling Peace . Journal of Asia pacific Studies , 97-117.
Horgby , S. (2016). EURAFRICAN Geo-politics? A Qualitative Textual Analysis of the French Geoplitical Construction of Africa in the Post Cold War Period. Berlin: STATSVETENSKAPLIGA .
Korybko, A. (2016, November 3). Hybrid Wars: Strategies Against Africa . Retrieved from Oriental Review: https://orientalreview.org/2016/11/11/hybrid-wars-8-strategies-against-africa-1a/
Ploch, L. (2011). Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa . Washington: Congressional Research Service.
Sun, D., & Zoubir , Y. H. (2011). The Eagle’s Nest in the Horn of Africa: US Military Strategic Deployment in Djibouti. 111-124.
Volman, D. (2009). China, India, Russia, and the United States: The Scramble for African Oil and the Militarization of the Continent. Uppsala: Nordiska Africa Institute .
Carmody, P. (2007). Competining Hegemons? Chinese verus American Geo-Economic Strateges in Africa. Political Geography, 504-524.
Thrall, L. (2015). China's Expandining Relations: Implications for US National Security. Santa Monica: RAND Corpration.
Y. Lin , C. (2015, January 4). The Rise of Africa in the International: A U.S. Energy Perspective . Retrieved from ETH-Zurich : https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/45570/Rise_of_Africa.pdf
Week 4 [26th February, 2018]
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations Empirical
Geo-economic: The Scramble for Africa
Recommended Text
Hansen, P., & Jonsson, S. (2014). Another Colonialism: Africa in the History of European Integration. Journal of Historical Sociology, 442-461.
Horgby , S. (2016). EURAFRICAN Geo-politics? A Qualitative Textual Analysis of the French Geoplitical Construction of Africa of Africa in the Post Cold War Period. Berlin: STATSVETENSKAPLIGA .
Kimenyi, M. S., & Lewis, Z. (2011). The BRICS and the new sramble for Africa. Retrieved from Brookings Institution : http://ccs.ukzn.ac.za/files/BRICS%20v%20africa_economy_agi_kimenyi_lewis.pdf
Korbyko , A. (2016, November 3). Hybrid Wars: Strategies Against Africa . Retrieved from Oriental Review: https://orientalreview.org/2016/11/11/hybrid-wars-8-strategies-against-africa-1a/
Salami , M. (2014, September 3). The EU's 'Eurafrica' roots. Retrieved from Al Jazeera: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/09/eus-eurafrica-roots-colonialism--20149611334511463.html
Volman, D. (2009). China, India, Russia, and the United States: The Scramble for African Oil and the Militarization of the Continent. Uppsala: Nordiska Africa Institute .
Carmody, P. (2007). Competining Hegemons? Chinese verus American Geo-Economic Strateges in Africa. Political Geography, 504-524.
Hansen, P., & Jonsson, S. (2011). Bringing Africa as a 'Dowry to Europe': European Integration and the Eurafrican Project, 1920-1960. Interventions: International Journal , 443-463.
Thrall, L. (2015). China's Expandining Relations: Implications for US National Security. Santa Monica: RAND Corpration.
Y. Lin , C. (2015, January 4). The Rise of Africa in the International: A U.S. Energy Perspective . Retrieved from ETH-Zurich : https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/45570/Rise_of_Africa.pdf
Week 5 [5th March, 2018]
o Second interim assessment
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations
Meta-geopolitical manifestations
National Economic Security Issues: Tax Havens
Recommended Text
Christensen, J. (2009, Febuary 4). Africa’s Bane: Tax Havens, Capital Flight and Corruption Interface. Retrieved from ETH-Zurich: https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/95401/WP%201,%202009.pdf
Curtis, M. (2015). Honest Accounts 2017:How the world profits from Africa’s wealth. Retrieved from Global Justice Network:
http://www.globaljustice.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/resources/honest_accounts_2017_web_final.pdf
Week 6 [12th March, 2018]
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations
Meta-geopolitical manifestations
Human Insecurity Issues:
Recommended Text
Human Trafficking
Fitzgibbon, K. (2010). Modern-Day Slavery? African Security Studies, 81-89.
The Antropocene and Effect of Climate Change in Africa: The Case of the War in Darfur
Hoste, J. C., & Vlassenroot, K. (2009). Climate Change and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa:the Mother of all Problems? In U. Nations, Developing Countries facing Global Warming:a Post-Kyoto Assessment (pp. 139-149). Brussells: Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences.
Moran, A. M., Mulugetta, Y., & Raleigh, C. (n.d.). Climate Change & Security in Africa: Clear Risks, Nuanced Impacts. The Hague: Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change.
Jean-Christophe Hoste, & Koen Vlassenroot. (2009). Climate Change and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Mother of all Problems? In R. A. Sciences, Developing Countries facing Global Warming: (pp. 139-149). The Hague: United Nations.
Week 7 [19th March, 2018]
o Third interim assessment
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations
Meta-geopolitical manifestations
National and Trans-national security threats
The International Relations of Meta-groups and Africa: Religion based militancy
Recommended Text
Africa Center for Strategic Studies. (2016). Africa's Active Militant Groups. Washington DC: Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Antwi-Boateng , O. (2017). The Rise of Pan-Islamic Terrorism in Africa: A Global Security Challenge. Politics and Policy, 253-284.
Cilliers, J. (2015). Violent Islamist extremism and terror in Africa. Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies.
Østebø , T. (2012). Islamic Militancy in Africa. Washington, D.C: Africa center for Strategic Studies.
Week 8 [26th March, 2018]
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations
Meta-geopolitical manifestations
National and Trans-national security threats
•The International Relations of Meta-groups and Africa: Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Maritime Terrorism
Recommended Text
Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons
Chelule, E. (2014). Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons: Challenge to Development, Peace and Security in Africa. OSR Journal Of Humanities and Social Science, 80-87.
Maritime Terrorism
Week 9 [2nd April, 2018]
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations
Meta-geopolitical manifestations
National and Trans-national security threats
•The International Relations of Meta-groups and Africa: Cryptocurreny and Cybercrime
Recommended Text
Baro, J., O’Mahony, A., Manheim, D., & Dion-Schwarz, C. (2015). National Security Impications for Virtual Currency: Examining the Potential for Non-State Actoe Deployment . Santa Monica.: RAND Corporation.
Flores, R., Matsukawa, B., Alfred , L., & Sancho, D. (2016). Cybercrime in West Africa: Poised for an Underground Market. London: Trend Micro and INTERPOL.
Manheim, D., Johnston, P. B., Baron, J., & Dion-Schwarz, C. (2017, April 5). Are Terrorists Using Cryptocurrencies? Retrieved from The RAND Blog: https://www.rand.org/blog/2017/04/are-terrorists-using-cryptocurrencies.html
Ward, A. (2018, January 3). Bitcoin and the Dark Web: The New Terrorist Threat? Retrieved from The Rand Blog: https://www.rand.org/blog/2018/01/bitcoin-and-the-dark-web-the-new-terrorist-threat.html
Week 10 [9th April, 2018]
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations
Meta-geopolitical manifestations
National and Trans-national security threats
•The International Relations of Meta-groups and Africa: Toxic [E] Waste Trafficking
Recommended Text
Greenpeace International . (2008). Poisoning the Poor: Electronic E-Waste in Ghana. Ottho Heldringstraat : Greenpeace International .
Greenpeace International . (2010). The Toxic Ships: The Italian hub, the Mediterranean area and Africa . Amsterdam: Greenpeace International .
Week 11 [16th April, 2018]
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations
Meta-geopolitical manifestations
National and Trans-national security threats
•The International Relations of Meta-groups and Africa: Mercenarism
Recommended Text
Bubna, S. M. (2010). The Case for Mercenaries in Africa. Pretoria: IDSA.
Mataire, L. R. (2016, March 3). Private military companies: Threat to continental security. Retrieved from The Southern Times: https://southernafrican.news/2016/03/14/private-military-companies-threat-to-continental-security/
Nielsen, L. B. (2016). Private Military Companies in Africa the case of STTEP in Nigeria. Journal of World Development Studies , 1-15.
Selber, J., & Jobarteh, K. (2002). From Enemy to Peace Maker: The Roel of Prive Military Companies in Africa . Medicine & Global Survival , 90-95.
Vines, A. (2000). Gurkhas and the private security business in Africa. Pretoria: ISS.
Cilliers, J., & Cornwell, R. (1999). Mercenaries and the privatisation of security in Africa. African Security Review, 31-42.
Douglas, I. (2000). Fighting for diamonds –Private Military Companies in Sierra Leone. Pretoria: ISS.
United Nations. (2005). Transnational Organized Crime in the West African Region. Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime .
Week 12 [23rd April, 2018]
Select Empirical Manifestations of Africa’s Theoretical Experience in International Relations
Meta-geopolitical manifestations
National and Trans-national security threats
•The International Relations of Meta-groups and Africa: The African diaspora and domestic insurgencies
Recommended Text
Hansen, P., & Jonsson, S. (2011). Bringing Africa as a 'Dowry to Europe': European Integration and the Eurafrican Project, 1920-1960. Interventions: International Journal , 443-463.
Jean-Christophe Hoste, & Koen Vlassenroot. (2009). Climate Change and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Mother of all Problems? In R. A. Sciences, Developing Countries facing Global Warming: (pp. 139-149). The Hague: United Nations.
Murphy, A., Newman, D., Bassin, M., & Agnew, J. (2004). Is there a Politics to Geopolitics? Progress in Human Geography, 619-640.
Omeje, K. (2007). The Diaspora and Domestic Insurgencies in Africa. African Sociological Review, 94-107.
Sloan , G., & Gray, C. S. (2008). Why Geopolitics? The Journal of Strategic Studies, 1-11.
Thrall, L. (2015). China's Expandining Relations: Implications for US National Security. Santa Monica: RAND Corpration.
United Nations. (2005). Transnational Organized Crime in the West African Region. Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime .
Y. Lin , C. (2015, January 4). The Rise of Africa in the International: A U.S. Energy Perspective . Retrieved from ETH-Zurich : https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/45570/Rise_of_Africa.pdf
Week 13 [30th April, 2018]
Fast-forward to 2050: Mega Trend Issues in Africa’s International Relations
Recommended Text
Cilliers, J., Hughes, B., & Moyer, J. (2011). African Futures 2050: The Next Forty Years. Washington, DC: Africa center for Strategice Studies.
Recap: Reflections on Patterns of Africa’s international relations
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