ISA3045 - Democratization and human rights in Africa

Leader(s): Dr Sabelo Ndlovu

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

In 1991 the strongman president of Benin was swept from power. This event was the first in the process of 'Third Wave of Democratization' in Africa. Within the contexts of post-Cold war rejuvenated liberal democracy and world wide calls for respect for human rights these struggles for democracy and human rights have been tenuous, fragile and threatened with reversal. Tracing political developments from the time of independence, we will see how African states, civil society and political parties are being reshaped by this ongoing democratizing process.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate:

1. A knowledge of the main events, processes, issues, personalities, ideas and politics in modern Africa
2. An understanding of the relationships between African states and societies and wider global politics and international relations
3. Intellectual familiarity with the main theoretical and conceptual issues relevant to the Unit: democracy, human rights, dictatorship, one-party state, multi-party-ism, civil society, civil governance military governance government, separation of powers, judiciary, repression, child rights, women rights, minorities, constitutionalism, constitution, good governance, accountability, consent, legitimacy, transparency, coercion.
4. An understanding of the main currents in wider political discourses, within Africa and internationally, concerning Africa in the modern world
5. An understanding of the main currents within academic debate, within Africa and internationally, concerning Africa in the modern world
6. Experience in working with and understanding the difference characteristics of various forms of evidence, both primary and secondary, documentary, oral and visual
7. Experience in conducting research using both primary and secondary sources
8. Improving oral, writing, presentation and debating styles
9. Students undertaking this unit at a third-year level will be expected to meet all these objective criteria at a higher level of demonstrable and proven competency than those completing the unit at a second-year level.

Assessment

One primary source document analysis essay (900 words): 20%
One essay on scholarly debates(900 words): 20%
One general topic essay (1800 words): 40%
Two (oral) tutorial presentations (450 words each): 20%

Contact hours

Two x 1 hr lectures and one x 1 hr tutorial per week for twelve weeks.

Prerequisites

INT1010 and INT1020

Prohibitions

ISA2045