INTR9055 African Politics: Global Issues

This topic examines how Africa is positioned globally and on the impact of international relations on Africa. The main focus of this topic is on the international interventions in Africa and on the impact of weak states in Africa.

This topic aims to:

• Develop an understanding of the key issues in African history, politics, economics and development in the current era of globalisation
• Introduce a range of research methods and demonstrate an indepth level of competence in the use of a variety of disciplinary research methods, in particular Political Science and International Relations
• Develop comparative analytical skills and research skills, particularly in relation to political, economic and historical events in one country and the impact it has on others
• Conduct a research project and write a report or essay addressing a particular case study in African studies
• Provide an opportunity to develop a web based learning resource
• Develop African studies research skills in International Relations, Political Science, and Development Studies
• Develop the habit of thinking first about asking good questions and then deciding upon the methodology that is likely to be the most feasible and fruitful
• Develop advanced comparative analytical skills that enable one to evaluate the quality of individual and other scholars' research

2. Demonstrate an advanced level of competence in the use of a variety of disciplinary research methods, in particular International Relations and be able to apply that to specific case studies in African studies
4. Analyse and evaluate political and economic conditions in Africa, particularly in relation to political, economic and historical events in one country and the impact it has on others, within the framework of international relations
6. Prepare and develop a substantial research project that documents how a given research question might be addressed
8. Conduct independent research and write a report or essay
10. Apply knowledge to other areas of study and future work placements