DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
FIRST SEMESTER 2019/2020
Instructor:
Kumi Ansah-Koi, Ph.D
Contact:
kktak55@gmail.com
Kansah-koi@ug.edu.gh
Class Hours: Wednesdays, 2:30pm-4:30pm
POLI
633: CONFLICTS IN AFRICAN STATES
Introduction:
Student Research and Seminar Presentations would be
integral features of this course. The idea would be to offer solid foundations
in the discipline of Conflict Studies, and also to offer the students the
necessary theoretical, intellectual, and practical foundations and experience
for writing an acceptable master’s thesis.
In that regard, the course is designed as a
pro-Seminar; and would be largely interactive. Each topic would be introduced
and guidelines offered in class; and students would the offer a Seminar
Presentation of the topic. Peer review and critical appraisal would then ensue;
before the Instructor offers concluding remarks and comments on the topic in
question. The Course would thus involve minimum formal instructions/lectures;
but would nonetheless be intensive and very involving; and regular attendance
would be insisted on.
Student seminar presentations on the topics should be
by PowerPoint. Alternately, the presentation should take the form of a typed five-paged
(or less) presentation on the topic in questions, in the sequence indicated in
class. Literature Review and due citations and source indications would be
critical components in assessing and rating student seminar presentations.
An online platform (Easyclass) would be created to
facilitate discussions outside class hours and also to enable document sharing.
An on-going list of reading material and audio-visual presentations would be
uploaded on this platform. Presentations should be uploaded on the platform latest
by 7pm of the Monday proceeding the class, to enable fellow students to view
presentations and prepare for class. A
Whatsapp group would also be created to facilitate communication and
distribution of reading material. You are to prepare for each class by posing
pertinent questions, criticisms, recommendations, and so on, related to
uploaded presentations. You are also welcome to share relevant material on the
various groups. Feel free to upload other related material and interact with
each other on the various platforms. A schedule for presentations would be
subsequently made available.
Topics
1.
Conflict
Studies: Basics
2.
Africa:
An outline. The State in Africa. State and Conflict in Africa
3.
Conflicts
in Africa: Causes and Causation
4.
Conflicts
in Africa: Nature, consequences and impact
5.
Conflicts
in Africa: Typology
6.
Conflicts
in Africa: Gender and Children’s Dimensions
7.
The
UN and Conflicts in Africa. UN Peacekeeping in Africa. The Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs)/ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and
Conflict-Africa
8.
The
OAU/AU and conflicts in Africa
9.
Sub-regional
groups and conflicts in Africa
10.
Conflicts
in Africa: Management/Resolution/Post-Conflict Peacebuilding.
Basic
Readings
Adesina, O. A., Adeyeye, M., Adjei, J. K.,
Achoka, J. S., Agbehonou, E., Alao, A., & Ewoh, A. I. (2012). Managing
Conflicts in Africa's Democratic Transitions. Lexington Books.
Bozeman, A. B. (2015). Conflict in
Africa: Concepts and realities. Princeton University Press.
Gumedze, S. (2011). Merchants of African
conflict: more than just a pound of flesh. Institute for Security
Studies Monographs, 2011(176), 95.
Nhema, A. G., Zeleza, P. T., & Zeleza, T.
(Eds.). (2008). The roots of African conflicts: The causes & costs.
Ohio University Press.
Porter, E. J., Robinson, G., Smyth, M.,
Osaghae, E., & Schnabel, A. (Eds.). (2005). Researching conflict in
Africa: Insights and experiences. United Nations University Press.
Rothchild, D. S. (1997). Managing
ethnic conflict in Africa: Pressures and incentives for cooperation.
Brookings Institution Press.
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