The State and Politics in Africa
Duration: Three weeks
Overview
Start of programme: 1 July 2013
This course focuses on the domestic politics of Africa since independence. The main themes have been selected to familiarise students with some of the key issues in contemporary debates chiefly about domestic African politics but also concerning the interaction with international dimensions. Throughout, an emphasis is placed on the critical questioning of mainstream orthodoxies in both the academic and policy-oriented literature. The core themes are the state, conflict, local and ‘traditional’ politics, new social forces and democratisation. During the course, the themes are illustrated with comparative examples from across the continent.
Social Programme
You will also be able to enjoy our social programme, starting with a welcome party and a river cruise on the Thames. A guided tour of historical Bloomsbury where SOAS is situated will help you find your way around the campus area. You will also receive discount codes for day trips and overnight tours with our partner International Friends once you have registered for one of our courses.
Further details: www.internationalfriends.co.uk.
Dates
The summer school will run from Monday 1 July - Friday 19 July 2013.
Fees
Tuition
A tuition fee of £1250 will be charged per 3-week programme. This figure does not include accommodation fees.
Accommodation
A limited number of rooms will be available at International Hall which is located in the heart of Bloomsbury. You will be able to request a place once your application has been approved. Please note that the deadline for confirmation and payment of accommodation will be 17th May 2013, however you are advised to request a room as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The cost for 20 nights from 30 June - 19 July (inclusive) is £800, which includes breakfast every day. Please email sophie.dilley@soas.ac.uk to reserve place.
Application fee
A one-off, non-refundable application fee of £55 will be charged to cover administration costs.
Credits
If you intend to claim credits from your home institution, please check the requirements with them before you enrol. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can, however please be aware that the decision to award credits rests with your home institution.
Courses do not bear any UK credits but they will provide you with between 40–50 hours of face-to-face contact time, which includes lectures and tutorials, during the 3-week period. Assessment will be optional and will vary for each course. Participants will be provided with a certificate of attendance. Transcripts will be available on request.
Contacts
For more information, please email summerschool@soas.ac.uk
Structure
African political elites struggled for, and achieved, national independence and as part of that process they universally adopted the forms and structures of the Western state and its structures of government. But since independence they have struggled to makes these states work and achieve the things that states elsewhere have achieved. This has prompted three debates which this course outlines and explores.
Assessment: is optional and will be in the form of a 2000-2500 words essay, to be returned by Friday the 2 August at the latest.
Topics
Part 1: Colonial Legacy or other factors impinging on the formation of independent African states
- General intro/Africa geography history etc.
- Colonialism
- States
Part 2: African states and the issues of democracy and development
- Conflict/Case Study Nigeria
- Democracy/Case Study Mozambique
- Development/Case Study Botswana
Part 3: The effects of international factors on the formation and conduct of African states
- Aid/Case Study Sierra Leone
- Oil/Case Study Sudan
- Intervention/Case Study Congo
Structure
The course will run from Monday - Thursday and consist of 30 hours of lectures and seminars, plus around 14 hours of extra activities such as study skills, trips and films throughout the three weeks.
Teaching & Learning
Teaching & Learning
At the end of a course, a student should be able to demonstrate…
- An understanding of the historical background to and the core issues in contemporary African politics with special reference to the state.
- An understanding of the connection between general analytical themes and particular cases and situations.
How to Apply
In order to join our Summer School, you will need to meet the following entry requirements:
- Have undertaken a year’s university level study
- A minimum English language requirement if English is not your first language:
- IELTS (www.ielts.org), 7 overall or higher, with at least 6.5 in all subscores.
- iBT 105+ with 22 in all subscores or 100 overall with no less than 25 in writing and no less than 22 in any other subscores.
- Or equivalent.
