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

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON

POLI 346: AFRICA AND THE GLOBAL SYSTEM

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST

SECOND SEMESTER, 2015/2016 ACADEMIC YEAR

LECTURER:  S.K.M. AHIAWORDOR

E-mail address:  ahiawordor2000@yahoo.com

OFFICE: Room #6, Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Legon.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course focuses on Africa’s role and position in Global Affairs from the post-colonial to the present era.  It exposes students to the nature of the African condition, her role in global affairs as well as her relationship with major actors such as states in the developed world and global governance and economic/financial institutions.  It as well deals with challenges facing Africa’s development and contribution to global development.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The primary goal for offering this course is to encourage students to form independent judgements about Africa’s role and position in the Global System.  Students are encouraged to be able be to identify the factors undermining Africa’s progress.  Students will be encouraged to increase their understanding and ability to analyse current policy debates on global issues and to be able to explain the complex interactions of actors in the global system that have direct impact on Africa.

READINGS

Every week, there are assigned topics for discussion.  It is important the students effectively prepare and contribute to such discussions.  Reading materials listed below must be read for a decent grade in the course.  The readings have been selected to provide a sure basis for effective class/tutorial discussions.  However, these readings are just representative of an entire body of literature with which students must familiarize themselves.  The readings listed below are constantly under review and additional/revised readings and sources of information will be forthcoming.  The use of the internet for additional information is encouraged.  Students are however seriously advised against plagiarism.   

MODE OF ASSESSEMNT OF STUDENTS

There shall be two different forms of assessment which shall include an interim assessment to be held in the middle of the semester and an end of semester sit in examination.

The Interim Assessment shall carry 30 marks while the end of semester examination shall carry 70 marks.  It is compulsory for all students to partake in these assessment tests.

TOPICS AND RECOMMEDED READINGS

Weeks 1 & 2 – What is the Global System?  What are its essential features?

·         Dougherty James E., “The Study of the Global Systems”, in Rosenau James N., Kenneth W. Thompson and Gavin Boyd, World Politics: An Introduction, New York, NY, Free Press, 1976, pp.597-623.

·         Goldstein S. Joshua and Pevehouse C. Jon, International Relations, 5^th edition, (Longman, New York, 2011), Chapter 1.

Weeks 3 & 4 – Understanding Africa’s position and role in the Global System.

·         Mazrui, Ali A., The African Condition: A Political Diagnosis, (Cambridge University Press, 1980).

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

·         Rothchild, Ronald and Harberson, John (eds.), Africa in World Politics: The African World System in Flux, 3^rd edition, (West View Press, San Francisco, 2000), Chapter 1 and 2.

·         Rothchild and Haberson (eds.), Africa in World Politic s: Post Cold War Challenges, 2^nd edition, (Westview Press, San Francisco, 1995), Chapters 1 and 2.

Weeks 5 & 6 – Process leading to Africa’s integration into the Global System.

·         Crowder, Michael, West Africa under Colonial Rule, (Hutchinson & Co. Ltd., London, 1976), Chapter 2.

·         Rodney, Walter, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, (Washington DC, Howard University Press, 1982).

·         Uzoigwe, G.N., “European Partition and conquest of Africa: An Overview”, in Adu Boahen (ed.), General History of Africa VIII: Africa under Colonial Domination 1880-1935, (University of California Press, 1981), pp.1962.

Weeks 7 & 8 – Pan Africanism and Decolonization

·         Jacques Garvey, Amy, Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey, Vol. 11, (Universal Publishing House, New York, 1926), pp.95-

·         Dubois, WEB, The World and Africa, (Viking Press, New York, 1947), pp.8-10; pp.238 & 243-4.

·         Nkrumah, Kwame, Africa Must Unite, (Heinemann, London, 1963).

·         Kevin, Shillington, History of Africa, 2^nd edition, (MacMillan, New York, 2005)

Weeks 9 & 10 – Africa and Bretton Woods Institutions

·         Taylor, Ian, The International Relations of Sub-Saharan Africa, (Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd., New York, 2010), Chapter Seven.

·         Fitzgerald, Francis 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).

Week 11 – Africa and the United Nations Organisation

·         Rivkin, Arnold, The African Presence in World Affairs, (MacMillan, New York, 1964), Chapter 10.

Week 12 – The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)

·         Boafo-Arthur, Kwame, “Caught between NEPAD and Neo-Liberalism: Human Security in Africa’s Renaissance Strategy”, in Kwame A. Ninsin (ed.), Globalised Africa: Political Social and Economic Impact, (Freedom Publication, 2012).

·         Asante, S.K.B., Implementing the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD): Challenges and the Path to Progress, (Graphic Packaging, Accra, 2006).

NB:     Students are advised to consult other relevant sources for materials including the internet to supplement the recommended texts provided in this course outline.