BLST 233 African Political Thought

The purpose of this course is to explore the themes, issues, and trends that shape politics in Africa across 54 countries with over one billion people. The course will cover broad issues such as the foundations of contemporary African politics, the characteristics, and consequences of leadership in Africa, the politics of identity, and economic and political change in Africa. You will be introduced to the continent through the perspectives of four critical African literary and political thinkers, each bringing a novel perspective to African political identity. These texts illustrate the nuances of a contested identity that is ascriptive and that derives meaning from local and indigenous roots.  While each author writes about specific countries in Africa, they highlight themes of significance to the broader experiences of colonialism, revolution, and post-colonial systems. They also engage with the racism intrinsic to Whiteness/Eurocentrism that frames the parameters of this field.