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PHL435Arts3 Unitsintermediate

AFRICAN POLITICAL THEORISTS

This course introduces students to key African political theorists and their influential ideologies. It explores the writings of Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Obafemi Awolowo, and Frantz Fanon. The course examines the historical context of the struggle for political independence in Africa and the various ideologies that shaped this movement. It also analyzes the relevance of these theories in contemporary African politics, considering their impact on social, economic, and political development.

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48h
Study Time
13
Weeks
4h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
African political theoryNkrumahNyerereSenghorFanon

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Communitarianism

2

Ujamaa

3

Philosophical Consciencism

4

Negritude

5

Democratic Socialism

6

Political Violence

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

paper presentation

Team-based learning and peer interaction

Group Work

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Political Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Advisor

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Development Consultant

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Researcher

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Diplomat

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentNon-profit organizationsInternational development agenciesResearch institutionsDiplomacy

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: The Communitarian Basis of African Political Philosophy

2h

Unit 1: On the Subject Matter of African Political Philosophy

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction and learning outcomes.
  • •Define politics, philosophy, and Africa.
  • •Explain the focus of African Political Philosophy.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
2

Module 1: The Communitarian Basis of African Political Philosophy

2h

Unit 2: Eurocentrism and the Question of African Identity

2 study hours
  • •Understand the reasons for the African identity question.
  • •Analyze Eurocentrism and its impact on African identity.
  • •Examine scholarly reactions to Eurocentrism.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
3

Module 1: The Communitarian Basis of African Political Philosophy

2h

Unit 3: Communitarianism and African Political Philosophy

2 study hours
  • •Define communitarianism and its core tenets.
  • •Explore the relationship between communitarianism and African socialism.
  • •Understand the shared beliefs and values of African thought systems.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
4

Module 2: Julius Nyerere and the Concept of Ujamaa

2h

Unit 1: The Basic Tenets of Ujamaa

2 study hours
  • •Study Nyerere's biography.
  • •Discuss the main ideas of Nyerere's Ujamaa.
  • •Understand the economic implications of Ujamaa.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
5

Module 2: Julius Nyerere and the Concept of Ujamaa

2h

Unit 2: Nyerere's Problem with Capitalism

2 study hours
  • •Define capitalism and its characteristics.
  • •Analyze Nyerere's critique of capitalism for Africa's development.
  • •Understand Nyerere's arguments against private property ownership.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
6

Module 2: Julius Nyerere and the Concept of Ujamaa

2h

Unit 3: Critical Evaluation of the Doctrine of Ujamaa

2 study hours
  • •Evaluate the achievements and limitations of Nyerere's Ujamaa.
  • •Discuss the reasons for Tanzania's economic challenges.
  • •Analyze the relevance of Ujamaa in contemporary Africa.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
7

Module 3: Kwame Nkrumah and Leopold Sedar Senghor on Negritude

2h

Unit 1: The Main Idea of Philosophical Consciencism and Africa's Development

2 study hours
  • •Understand Nkrumah's concept of philosophical consciencism.
  • •Explore the relationship between consciencism and development ideology.
  • •Examine Nkrumah's variant of scientific socialism.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
8

Module 3: Kwame Nkrumah and Leopold Sedar Senghor on Negritude

2h

Unit 2: Nkrumah's Consciencism and African Developmental Framework

2 study hours
  • •Analyze Nkrumah's rejection of capitalism.
  • •Understand philosophical consciencism as a developmental ideology.
  • •Examine the contradictions in Nkrumah's economic philosophy.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
9

Module 3: Kwame Nkrumah and Leopold Sedar Senghor on Negritude

2h

Unit 3: Afrocentrism and Negritude in Leopold Sedar Seghor's Thoughts

2 study hours
  • •Study Senghor's biography.
  • •Explore the place of Afrocentrism and Negritude in Senghor's thoughts.
  • •Understand Negritude as a response to Eurocentrism.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
10

Module 3: Kwame Nkrumah and Leopold Sedar Senghor on Negritude

2h

Unit 4: Critical Examination of Senghor's Doctrine of African Socialism

2 study hours
  • •Understand Senghor's version of African socialism.
  • •Evaluate Senghor's Negritude and African socialism.
  • •Analyze the limitations of Senghor's ideas.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
11

Module 4: Obafemi Awolowo's Theory of Democratic Socialism

2h

Unit 1: Obafemi Awolowo's Democratic Socialism

2 study hours
  • •Study Awolowo's biography.
  • •Define democracy and socialism.
  • •Understand Awolowo's democratic socialism.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
12

Module 4: Obafemi Awolowo's Theory of Democratic Socialism

2h

Unit 2: Awolowo Democratic Socialism and Marxian Socialism

2 study hours
  • •Understand the fundamentals of Marxist socialism.
  • •Distinguish between Awolowo's democratic socialism and Marxist socialism.
  • •Analyze the points of disagreement between Awolowo and Marx.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.
Week
13

Module 4: Obafemi Awolowo's Theory of Democratic Socialism

2h

Unit 3: Evaluating Awolowo's Democratic Socialism

2 study hours
  • •Evaluate the achievements of Awolowo's democratic socialism.
  • •Analyze the limitations of Awolowo's democratic socialism.
  • •Discuss the relevance of Awolowo's ideas in contemporary society.
  • •Attempt the self-assessment exercise.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of key events and publications for each theorist.

2

Develop concept maps linking core ideas of different theorists.

3

Prepare concise summaries of each ideology's strengths and weaknesses.

4

Practice essay questions comparing and contrasting different approaches.

5

Focus on understanding the historical context and contemporary relevance of each theory.

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