Political Science

This course is about the history and dynamics of world economy and global power configurations; impact on Africa and Africa’s responses. 

This course has three components. The first discusses key conceptual tools and theories needed to examine reconciliation and justice in international politics. The second looks at the situations on the ground and asks What are the main cases and issues? What are the general trends in international relations with regards to addressing and redressing justice and reconciliation? What kind of national and global efforts have been made in attempts to help solve them? The third part of the course includes drawing lessons and insights from specific cases in Asia, Europe and Africa. Why do some states promote particular historical narratives and policies? What are the domestic and international consequences of their particular policy choices? Can a country’s success story be emulated by another country?

This course studies the history of the United Nations and other international organizations, their organizational structures and activities, and the solutions of various international problems through the framework of international organizations. 

The course looks at not only the fundamental elements of the UN and other international organizations but also current issues such as: the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Conflict in Gaza and the situation in Afghanistan, Nuclear development of North Korea, Nuclear Disarmament, UN Peace-keeping Operations, Sustainable development, Human rights, and UN reform.   

The course examines the complex and varied aspects of contemporary Africa, a continent consisting of over fifty states with different histories, colonial experiences, economies, values, and social structures by discussing a range of contemporary approaches used to analyze and theorize African politics and key contemporary issues. The course covers topics including colonial rule, legacies of colonialism on post-colonial African states, governance, political instability, and conflict in the horn of Africa. 

Perhaps the most powerful organization in world politics, the UN Security Council, is tasked with maintaining international peace and security. Because the founders of the organization did not specify what exactly constitutes "a threat to international peace and security," this course examines the breadth and depth of the Security Council mandate. The course reads theoretical and empirical literature on Security Council action and investigates the various ways in which the Council tries to prevent and solve international conflict. Course material covers institutionalist theories of (dis)cooperation, empirical case studies of Council intervention, and quantitative analyses of Council performance. The course answers the questions: Why do some conflicts never make it to the Council? Whose interest matter when resolving a crisis? And what explains the duration of eventual peace?