AFRICAN POLITICAL THEORISTS
- Arts
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 109 pages
- 15 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 48 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Paper presentation
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHL435, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- Unit 1: The Main Idea of Philosophical Consciencism and Africa’s DevelopmentPage 46
- Unit 2: Nkrumah’s Consciencism and African Developmental FrameworkPage 52
- Unit 3: Afrocentrism and Negritude in Leopold Sedar Seghor’s ThoughtsPage 59
- Unit 4: Critical Examination of Senghor’s Doctrine of African SocialismPage 64
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHL435 · Unit 2: Eurocentrism and the Question of African Identity
The strength of Eurocentrism lies primarily in the assertions of Western intellectual giants who passed destructive criticisms on the ability of Africans to think deeply. One of the most respected Western giants with strong emphasis on Eurocentrism is Friedrich Hegel.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the core tenets of African political philosophy.
- Analyze the key ideas of prominent African political theorists.
- Compare and contrast different ideologies of African development.
- Evaluate the relevance of these theories in contemporary African politics.
- Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of each theorist's approach.
What it prepares you for
- Political Analyst
- Policy Advisor
- Development Consultant
- Researcher
- Diplomat
- Government
- Non-profit organizations
- International development agencies
- Research institutions
- Diplomacy
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Kwame Nkrumah and Leopold Sedar Senghor on Negritude
Unit 1: The Main Idea of Philosophical Consciencism and Africa's Development
Requires understanding of complex philosophical concepts and their application to African development.
- Module 4: Obafemi Awolowo's Theory of Democratic Socialism
Unit 2: Awolowo Democratic Socialism and Marxian Socialism
Involves comparing and contrasting different socialist ideologies and understanding their nuances.
- Module 5: Frantz Fanon on Political Violence
Unit 2: Interrogating Fanon's Doctrine of Political Violence
Requires critical analysis of Fanon's controversial views on violence and its role in decolonization.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: The Communitarian Basis of African Political Philosophy
Unit 1: On the Subject Matter of African Political Philosophy · 2 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 2Module 1: The Communitarian Basis of African Political Philosophy
Unit 2: Eurocentrism and the Question of African Identity · 2 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 3Module 1: The Communitarian Basis of African Political Philosophy
Unit 3: Communitarianism and African Political Philosophy · 2 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 4Module 2: Julius Nyerere and the Concept of Ujamaa
Unit 1: The Basic Tenets of Ujamaa · 2 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 5Module 2: Julius Nyerere and the Concept of Ujamaa
Unit 2: Nyerere's Problem with Capitalism · 2 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 6Module 2: Julius Nyerere and the Concept of Ujamaa
Unit 3: Critical Evaluation of the Doctrine of Ujamaa · 2 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 7Module 3: Kwame Nkrumah and Leopold Sedar Senghor on Negritude
Unit 1: The Main Idea of Philosophical Consciencism and Africa's Development · 2 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 8Module 3: Kwame Nkrumah and Leopold Sedar Senghor on Negritude
Unit 2: Nkrumah's Consciencism and African Developmental Framework · 2 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 9Module 3: Kwame Nkrumah and Leopold Sedar Senghor on Negritude
Unit 3: Afrocentrism and Negritude in Leopold Sedar Seghor's Thoughts · 2 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 10Module 3: Kwame Nkrumah and Leopold Sedar Senghor on Negritude
Unit 4: Critical Examination of Senghor's Doctrine of African Socialism · 2 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 11Module 4: Obafemi Awolowo's Theory of Democratic Socialism
Unit 1: Obafemi Awolowo's Democratic Socialism · 2 hours
Study Awolowo's biography.. Define democracy and socialism.. Understand Awolowo's democratic socialism.. Attempt the self-assessment exercise..
- Week 12Module 4: Obafemi Awolowo's Theory of Democratic Socialism
Unit 2: Awolowo Democratic Socialism and Marxian Socialism · 2 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 13Module 4: Obafemi Awolowo's Theory of Democratic Socialism
Unit 3: Evaluating Awolowo's Democratic Socialism · 2 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..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events and publications for each theorist.
- Develop concept maps linking core ideas of different theorists.
- Prepare concise summaries of each ideology's strengths and weaknesses.
- Practice essay questions comparing and contrasting different approaches.
- Focus on understanding the historical context and contemporary relevance of each theory.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHL435 about?
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.
How many units does PHL435 have?
PHL435, AFRICAN POLITICAL THEORISTS, has 15 units across 5 modules, over 109 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHL435?
PHL435 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Arts.
Is PHL435 hard?
PHL435 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does PHL435 take to study?
About 48 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is PHL435 assessed?
PHL435 is assessed by assignments, paper presentation and final examination.
What can I do with PHL435?
Political Analyst, Policy Advisor, Development Consultant, Researcher and Diplomat.