POL121: Introduction to African Politics
POL121 Introduction to African Politics is a three-credit unit course for undergraduate students in Political Science. The materials have been developed with the African continent in view. This course guide gives you an overview of the course. It also provides you with relevant information on the organisation and requirements of the course.
To achieve the aims set out above, POL 121 has these broad objectives. Besides, each unit also has specific objectives. The unit objectives are at the beginning of each unit. I advise that you read them before you start working through the unit. You may refer to them in the course of the unit to personally monitor your progress.
On successful completion of the course, you should be able to:
a. Define and conceptualise the nature of African politics.
b. Understand the colonial influence on the nature and character of African politics.
c. Appreciate the modalities of nationalist agitations and the manner of colonial disengagement
d. Explain the predominance of foreign influence in African politics.
e. Know the interplay of economic interests/forces and political events in Africa.
f. Offer explanations for political instability in Africa.
g. Explain why a military regime cannot be a viable alternative to a democratic government and the self-serving arguments behind the advocacy of the one-party system in Africa.
h. Understand why African states are marginal players/actors in world Affairs.