SOAN 453 - Democracy in Africa

4 credits
In the past few decades, many African nations have overthrown colonial regimes and police states in favor of some form of democratic governance. But what does this ideological and political shift mean for the future of a country and its people? In this course, we use texts from anthropology and related disciplines to explore the diverse history of independence movements on the African continent. In doing so, we look both at the great diversity in democratic and human rights ideals across the continent as well as the Western perception that Africa has “failed” to democratize. We use a variety of examples from recent history to examine these issues. In doing so, students gain a critical awareness of the diverse issues facing contemporary democracies with culturally diverse populations. Prerequisite(s): One lower-level SOAN course. Junior standing or above.
Grade mode designated on a CRN basis each term. Students should consult current term schedule.