Political Science 341 - African Regional Governance

This class will explore international norms, law, and organizations that govern international relations both among African states and between Africa and the rest of the world. We will look at how the particular the history of and circumstances confronting African states has resulted in distinctive ways of approaching problem-solving. What are the different problems that African regional organizations like the African Union seeks to manage? Why has regional cooperation has become such an important part of these problem-solving efforts? To answer these questions, we will take a close look at the history, development, transformation, and current dynamics of regional governance in Africa. Our focus will be on the time from independence, with the early emergence of regional and pan-African cooperation, to the present day. Topics to be covered include pan-Africanism, sovereignty, economic development, and South-South cooperation.

Open to Senior, Junior and Sophomore POLISCI majors & minors.