Civil Society and Contemporary African Politics

2 Credits.

The course will examine the major challenges in contemporary African politics by analyzing specific trends including democratization, the role of history, demographic trends, the impact and role of civil society, the impact of political competition, the role of the Internet and emerging technology and the impact of regional and external actors. By examining long-standing and emerging political and economic challenges, the course will analyze some of the key underlying socio-economic and political tensions and factors affecting political trends as the African continent heads into what may be the most consequential decade since independence.