IR4516 The International Relations of Sub-Saharan Africa

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

Wed 10am

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr M N Micheni

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Makena Micheni

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module provides an introduction to the study of Africa’s relations with the external i.e. non-African world. The international relations of African states in general have two (formal) aims: pursuit of economic development and state survival (the issue of state sovereignty and survival was one of the cornerstones of the OAU’s Charter when it was founded in 1963). Two other aspects also inform the continent’s external politics: economic necessity i.e. the outside world has processed goods and a large market to trade with which Africa does not currently possess; and economic interest on the part of the world—essentially how best to use and trade Africa’s commodities. Africa also has an increasingly important political role to play in various important global issues—the most recent being the “war on terror”. The module provides an overview of major linkages and relationships between today’s sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world, focusing on selected case studies. Thus, we cover the continent’s relations with major external powers as well as non-state actors.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 1-hour lecture (x 10 weeks), 1 x 1-hour tutorial (x 10 weeks), 2 consultation hours with Coordinator (x 12 weeks). 2 hours examination feedback in week 1 of following semester.

Scheduled learning hours

20

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

280

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Diligent students should achieve familiarity with:A sense of the diversity of Africa’s linkages with the outside world
  • An understanding of the main political and economic developments between the continent and the rest of the international community.
  • The key policy issues and agendas of major global players and their policies towards Africa.
  • Apply their knowledge of comparative foreign polices and democratisation to this region.