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INR132

International Politics Of Africa

This course explores the historical relationship between Africa and the West, examining interactions from pre-colonial times to the present. It covers the impact of colonialism, the Cold War rivalry, and the emerging new world order on African states. The course also delves into the political and economic dynamics shaping Africa's place in global affairs, fostering a deeper understanding of the continent's complex relations with Western powers.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
200 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

INR132 · UNIT 1 ORIGIN OF AFRICA

Africa is not new up till today. It was practised from earliest time to the present to take care of our industrial and domestic needs.

What you should be able to do

  1. Analyze the historical context of Africa's relationship with the West.
  2. Evaluate the impact of colonialism on African societies and economies.
  3. Assess the role of African agency in shaping the continent's destiny.
  4. Compare and contrast different models of development in Africa.
  5. Understand the challenges and opportunities facing Africa in the 21st century.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Diplomat
  • International Relations Specialist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Journalist
  • Researcher
Where it is applied
  • Government and Public Service
  • International Organizations
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
  • Academia and Research
  • Media and Journalism

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 2: Colonial Administration

    Unit 2: British Administration in the Colonies

    Understanding the nuances of indirect rule and its impact on traditional power structures requires careful analysis of specific historical contexts and local dynamics.

  • Module 3: Impact of World War II on Africa

    Unit 3: Nationalist Movements in West Africa

    Analyzing the complex interplay of social, economic, and political factors that contributed to the rise of nationalist movements demands critical thinking and synthesis of diverse historical sources.

  • Module 4: East, West Rivalry and Africa

    Unit 1: Cold War Era

    The intricacies of Cold War politics and the diverse strategies employed by African nations to navigate the superpower rivalry necessitate a nuanced understanding of international relations theory.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 83 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Africa before and after Partition
    • Unit 1: Origin of Africa · 4 hours

      Read Unit 1: Origin of Africa, focusing on European, Arab, and African perspectives on African history.. Identify evidence of Africa's past and its contribution to world civilization.. Reflect on the impact of historical narratives on understanding Africa's identity..

    • Unit 2: Slave Trade · 3 hours

      Explore Unit 2: Slave Trade, examining its origins, reasons, and impact on Africa.. Analyze the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its consequences for African societies.. Discuss the ethical and economic dimensions of the slave trade..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Africa before and after Partition
    • Unit 3: Abolition of Slave Trade · 4 hours

      Study Unit 3: Abolition of Slave Trade, focusing on the reasons and resistance to abolition.. Examine the role of the British Parliament and the establishment of slave settlements.. Discuss the political implications of the new trade dynamics..

    • Unit 4: European Imperialism · 3 hours

      Analyze Unit 4: European Imperialism, exploring political, strategic, and economic factors.. Assess the results and effects of imperialism on European relations.. Consider the long-term consequences of imperialism on African societies..

    • Unit 5: Partition of Africa · 3 hours

      Review Unit 5: Partition of Africa, focusing on the origin of the scramble and the Berlin Conference.. Examine the final partition and its impact on African states.. Discuss the legacy of arbitrary borders and its implications for contemporary Africa..

  3. Week 3Module 2: Colonial Administration
    • Unit 1: The beginning of Colonial Rule · 4 hours

      Study Unit 1: The Beginning of Colonial Rule, focusing on the characteristics and problems of colonialism.. Analyze the emergence of the colonial system and its impact on African societies.. Discuss the challenges faced by colonial administrations..

    • Unit 2: British Administration in the Colonies · 3 hours

      Explore Unit 2: British Administration in the Colonies, examining the administrative structure and its challenges.. Analyze the introduction of direct and indirect rule in different regions.. Discuss the impact of British administration on Nigerian society..

  4. Week 4Module 2: Colonial Administration
    • Unit 3: French Administration in the Colonies · 4 hours

      Study Unit 3: French Administration in the Colonies, focusing on the administrative structures and problems.. Analyze the impact of French administration on West African societies.. Discuss the differences between British and French colonial approaches..

    • Unit 4: Colonial Administration in South Africa · 3 hours

      Explore Unit 4: Colonial Administration in South Africa, examining the early period and colonial rule.. Analyze the unification process and its implications.. Discuss the impact of colonial administration on South African society..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Colonial Administration
    • Unit 5: Colonial Administration in North Africa · 4 hours

      Study Unit 5: Colonial Administration in North Africa, focusing on colonial rule in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.. Analyze the impact of colonial administration on North African societies.. Discuss the differences between French and other colonial approaches in North Africa..

  6. Week 6Module 3: Impact of World War II on Africa
    • Unit 1: The Impact of Second World War on African Politics · 4 hours

      Study Unit 1: The Impact of Second World War on African Politics, focusing on the war's effects and decolonization.. Analyze the impact of the war on African societies and political movements.. Discuss the factors that led to decolonization in Africa..

  7. Week 7Module 3: Impact of World War II on Africa
    • Unit 2: The Emergence of Elite in Africa · 4 hours

      Explore Unit 2: The Emergence of Elite in Africa, examining the early and new elite.. Analyze the role of colonial policies and the impact of the elite on emerging nations.. Discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the new elite..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Impact of World War II on Africa
    • Unit 3: Nationalist Movements in West Africa · 4 hours

      Study Unit 3: Nationalist Movements in West Africa, focusing on movements in British and French West Africa.. Analyze the factors that led to the rise of nationalist movements.. Discuss the strategies and challenges faced by nationalist leaders..

  9. Week 9Module 3: Impact of World War II on Africa
    • Unit 4: Road to Independence in Northern Africa Nations · 4 hours

      Explore Unit 4: Road to Independence in Northern Africa Nations, examining the paths to independence in Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria.. Analyze the factors that shaped the independence movements in each country.. Discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the newly independent nations..

    • Unit 5: Road to Independence in South Africa · 3 hours

      Study Unit 5: Road to Independence in South Africa, focusing on the rise of white aristocracy, African nationalism, and the apartheid regime.. Analyze the impact of the Second World War and the black nationalist movement.. Discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the newly independent South Africa..

  10. Week 10Module 4: East, West Rivalry and Africa
    • Unit 1: Cold War Era · 4 hours

      Study Unit 1: Cold War Era, focusing on the beginning and aftermath of the Cold War.. Analyze the impact of the Cold War on Africa and Nigeria's role in international relations.. Discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by African nations during the Cold War..

    • Unit 2: United Nations Organisation and Africa · 3 hours

      Explore Unit 2: United Nations Organisation and Africa, examining the UN agencies and functions.. Analyze the impact of the UN on Africa and the role of Nigeria in the UN.. Discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by African nations within the UN framework..

  11. Week 11Module 4: East, West Rivalry and Africa
    • Unit 3: International Relations after 1945 and Establishment of OAU · 4 hours

      Study Unit 3: International Relations after 1945 and Establishment of OAU, focusing on international trade and new economic problems.. Analyze the formation of the OAU and its problems.. Discuss the transition to the African Union (AU)..

    • Unit 4: Coups and Civil Wars in Africa · 3 hours

      Explore Unit 4: Coups and Civil Wars in Africa, examining the causes and impact of coups and civil wars.. Analyze the role of the West in these conflicts.. Discuss the challenges and opportunities for peace and stability in Africa..

    • Unit 5: Globalisation and Africa · 3 hours

      Study Unit 5: Globalisation and Africa, focusing on the effects and challenges of globalization.. Analyze the problems and consequences of globalization for African states.. Discuss the opportunities for African nations to benefit from globalization..

  12. Week 12Module 1: Africa before and after Partition
    • Module 1 Review · 6 hours

      Review Module 1: Africa before and after Partition. Focus on the origin of Africa, slave trade, abolition of slave trade, European imperialism and partition of Africa.. Prepare for assignments and tutor-marked assignments..

  13. Week 13Module 2: Colonial Administration, Module 3: Impact of World War II on Africa and Module 4: East, West Rivalry and Africa
    • Modules 2-4 Review · 6 hours

      Review Module 2: Colonial Administration, Module 3: Impact of World War II on Africa and Module 4: East, West Rivalry and Africa. Focus on the beginning of colonial rule, the impact of the Second World War on African politics, the cold war era, and the United Nations Organisation and Africa.. Prepare for assignments and tutor-marked assignments..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create timelines outlining key events in African history, from pre-colonial times to the present.
  • Develop comparative charts analyzing the different colonial administrations (British, French, Portuguese) and their impacts.
  • Outline the key figures in African nationalist movements and their contributions.
  • Summarize the main arguments for and against globalization and its effects on Africa.
  • Practice essay questions on the major themes of the course, focusing on critical analysis and synthesis of information.

Questions students ask about this course

What is INR132 about?

This course explores the historical relationship between Africa and the West, examining interactions from pre-colonial times to the present. It covers the impact of colonialism, the Cold War rivalry, and the emerging new world order on African states. The course also delves into the political and economic dynamics shaping Africa's place in global affairs, fostering a deeper understanding of the continent's complex relations with Western powers.

How many units does INR132 have?

INR132, International Politics Of Africa, has 20 units across 4 modules, over 204 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is INR132?

INR132 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Social Sciences.

Is INR132 hard?

INR132 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does INR132 take to study?

About 200 hours of study, spread across its 20 units.

How is INR132 assessed?

INR132 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with INR132?

Diplomat, International Relations Specialist, Policy Analyst, Journalist and Researcher.

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