Youth, Generation, and Age in Africa

3 units

It is estimated that children and youth constitute more than 60 percent of the population in Africa. In a context of economic decline associated with neoliberal policies of structural adjustment, many of these young people will face extreme difficulty in finding work, supporting families, and taking on the social responsibilities of adults. In recent years, disaffected African youth have been increasingly blamed for political and social instability. This course examines the condition of youth in contemporary Africa. The course begins with classic anthropological texts on generation, youth, and the life cycle in Africa. Readings will address the implications of colonialism, education, wage labor, and urbanization for relations between generations. The second half of the course will examine recent research concerning the position of African youth in a context of economic and cultural globalization.