Introduction To African Politics

1. Define and conceptualize the nature of African politics.
2. Understand the colonial influence on the nature and character of African politics.
3. Appreciate the modalities of nationalist agitations and the manner of colonial disengagement.
4. Explain the predominance of foreign influence in African politics.
5. Offer explanations for political instability in Africa.
6. Understand why African states are marginal players/actors in world Affairs.

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Background to African Politics

   • Unit 1: Nature and Character of African Politics · 2 hours

     Read Unit 1: Nature and Character of African Politics, focusing on the colonial background and post-independence party politics.. Identify the major features of African politics and the factors contributing to political instability.. Reflect on the Western system of indirect rule and different leadership styles among African leaders..

2. Week 2Module 1: Background to African Politics

   • Unit 2: Politics in Pre-Colonial Africa · 2 hours

     Study Unit 2: Politics in Pre-Colonial Africa, examining traditional political institutions and their relevance.. Analyze the impact of colonialism on traditional institutions and their resurgence in modern government.. Describe the features of a traditional political system and the concept of mixed government..

3. Week 3Module 1: Background to African Politics

   • Unit 3: Origins and Problems of African Politics · 2 hours

     Cover Unit 3: Origins and Problems of African Politics, focusing on the benefits and challenges of colonialism.. Examine the problems created by colonialism, such as lack of institutionalization and tribalism.. Relate tribalism to double allegiance in African politics..

4. Week 4Module 1: Background to African Politics

   • Unit 4: Primordial Politics and Conflicts in Africa · 2 hours

     Study Unit 4: Primordial Politics and Conflicts in Africa, focusing on ethnicity and elitism.. Analyze the causes of primordial conflicts and the negative connotations of primordial terms.. Reflect on the role of ethnicity in African politics and how to solve the problem of ethnic politics..

5. Week 5Module 2: Colonialism and Nationalism

   • Unit 1: Meaning and Nature of Colonialism · 2 hours

     Read Unit 1: Meaning and Nature of Colonialism, focusing on the origins and objectives of colonialism.. Explain the economic, political, and military dimensions of colonialism.. Discuss the relevance of the policy of assimilation in French African Colonies..

6. Week 6Module 2: Colonialism and Nationalism

   • Unit 2: Problems and Legacies of Colonialism · 2 hours

     Study Unit 2: Problems and Legacies of Colonialism, focusing on the political, economic, and socio-cultural legacies.. Examine the role of colonialism as an imperial ideology.. Identify the major social-cultural legacies of colonialism..

7. Week 7Module 2: Colonialism and Nationalism

   • Unit 3: Meaning and Nature of Nationalism · 2 hours

     Cover Unit 3: Meaning and Nature of Nationalism, focusing on definitions and classifications.. Distinguish nationalism in Africa from the European form.. Identify the factors that influenced the growth of nationalism in Africa..

8. Week 8Module 2: Colonialism and Nationalism

   • Unit 4: Nationalism and Decolonisation Process in Africa · 2 hours

     Study Unit 4: Nationalism and Decolonisation Process in Africa, focusing on the nature and critique of African nationalism.. Account for the differences in the tempo of nationalism between British and French colonies.. Analyze the impact of nationalism on the decolonization process..

9. Week 9Module 3: Neo-colonialism and African Economy

   • Unit 1: Meaning and Features of Neo-Colonialism · 2 hours

     Read Unit 1: Meaning and Features of Neo-Colonialism, focusing on the definition and origins of neo-colonialism.. State the major features of neo-colonialism.. Evaluate the contributions of Kwame Nkrumah in exposing the dangers of Neo-colonialism to new states in Africa..

10. Week 10Module 3: Neo-colonialism and African Economy

    • Unit 2: Neo-Colonialism- Its Mechanism and Impacts · 2 hours

      Study Unit 2: Neo-Colonialism- Its Mechanism and Impacts, focusing on the mechanisms of neo-colonialism.. Analyze the impacts of neo-colonialism on political, economic and military aspects.. Critically examine the role of foreign aid in African politics..

11. Week 11Module 3: Neo-colonialism and African Economy

    • Unit 3: The Political Economy of African States · 2 hours

      Cover Unit 3: The Political Economy of African States, focusing on the concept of African development.. Explain the role of neo-colonialism in deepening African dependence and underdevelopment.. What role is the specialization of Africa in primary produce playing in sustaining the continent's neo-colonial status?.

12. Week 12Module 3: Neo-colonialism and African Economy

    • Unit 4: The Doctrine and Reality of African Socialism · 2 hours

      Study Unit 4: The Doctrine and Reality of African Socialism, focusing on the concept and tenets of African socialism.. Differentiate African socialism from orthodox Marxist socialism.. Evaluate the success of African socialism as a post-colonial ideology..

13. Week 13Module 4: Political Instability and Sustainable Democracy in Africa

    • Unit 1: The Military in African Politics · 2 hours

      Read Unit 1: The Military in African Politics, focusing on the origins and changing roles of the military.. Explain the reasons for military interventions and the military as a modernization agent.. Give reasons for military interventions in Africa..