This is a discussion-based seminar course designed to survey the origins and dimensions of contemporary issues within the post-colonial, sub-Saharan African state. The concepts of democracy, institutionalization, political economy, war, and peace remain a complex landscape for many African states. Focusing on theoretical work and case studies, cadets will examine sub-Saharan Africa's historical experiences, its economic heritage, and the international context in which it is embedded. At the same time, cadets will explore how Africans have shaped their own political and economic situations. Using social science methods, cadets will gain an understanding of how context shapes political behavior, in general, and how historical and political forces have influenced African politics, in particular.
