Bachelor
2025/2026
Area Studies: Africa
Type:
Elective course (International Programme 'International Relations and Global Studies')
Delivered by:
Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
When:
2 year, 1, 2 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Vsevolod Sviridov
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
56
Course Syllabus
Abstract
“Regional studies: Africa” is an advanced undergraduate course designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex and dynamic forces shaping contemporary Africa. The course explores the intricate interplay of political, economic, and social factors within the African continent, while also examining Africa's evolving role in the global arena.
The course deals with an in-depth exploration of African political systems, ranging from pre-colonial governance structures to post-colonial state-building. It covers the impact of colonialism on political institutions, the challenges of nation-building, and the varying trajectories of political systems development across the continent. Students will analyze the role of key political actors, including governments, political parties, civil society, and regional organizations, in shaping political outcomes in African states.
A significant portion of the course is dedicated to understanding the economic landscape of Africa. Students will examine the historical and contemporary factors influencing economic development, including the legacy of colonialism, the role of international trade, the impact of global added-value chains, and the challenges posed by poverty, inequality, and unemployment. The course also delves into the strategies African states have adopted to promote economic growth, including regional integration efforts, industrialization policies, and the development of key sectors such as agriculture, energy, ICT, mining, and technology.
The course critically analyzes the efforts and challenges associated with regional integration in Africa, focusing on organizations like the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and others. It examines the successes and limitations of these organizations in fostering economic cooperation, political stability, and conflict resolution. Furthermore, the course explores Africa's place in international relations, particularly its relationships with major global powers, international organizations, and emerging economies.
The course concludes with an exploration of contemporary issues facing the continent, such as the impact of climate change, the role of technology in development, migration trends, and the ongoing struggles for human rights and good governance. Students will engage in critical discussions on the future directions for Africa, considering both internal dynamics and external influences.
Learning Objectives
- By the end of this course, students will have developed a nuanced understanding of the political and economic challenges and opportunities in Africa. They will be able to critically assess the processes of regional integration and analyze Africa's position within the global system. The course equips students with the analytical tools necessary to understand and engage with Africa's complex realities, preparing them for careers in international relations, development studies, and related fields.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Students will have developed a nuanced understanding of the political and economic challenges and opportunities in Africa.
- They will be able to critically assess the processes of regional integration and analyze Africa's position within the global system.
- To equip students with the analytical tools necessary to understand and engage with Africa's complex realities, preparing them for careers in international relations, development studies, and related fields.
Course Contents
- Theme 1. Introduction, course aims and objectives, definition of Africa as a region, basic geography, major subregions and historical areas, African Studies and Oriental Studies. Africa’s geology, ecosystems, marine resources, Africa's role in the world.
- Theme 2. Languages, peoples, religions and cultures of Africa; their impact on politics and social and economic issues. Demography of Africa. Migration. Islam and Christianity in Africa.
- Theme 3. Pre-colonial and colonial history of Africa. Africa in World War I and World War II, organization of governance in the colonies. Africa and the legacy of the colonial era.
- Theme 4. Decolonization of Africa, formation of independent states in the second half of the 20th century. Africa and the Cold War. The USSR in Africa. Pan-Africanism, main philosophical trends and thinkers. Nation building, tribalism and separatism.
- Theme 5. Integration in Africa. African Union, regional economic communities, monetary zones. Agenda 2063. Pan-African financial institutions.
- Theme 6. Political systems in Africa, B2G interaction. Features of field research on the political situation in Africa.
- Theme 7. North Africa: its connections to Sub-Saharan Africa, current aspects of political, social, and economic development. The aftermath of the Arab Spring.
- Theme 8. West Africa: current aspects of political, social, and economic development, security issues.
- Theme 9. East Africa: topical aspects of political and socio-economic development, regional integration.
- Theme 10. Central Africa: current aspects of political and socio-economic development.
- Theme 11. Southern Africa: topical aspects of political and socio-economic development.
- Theme 12. Urban development in Africa - the continent's new economy.
- Theme 13. Russia-Africa. State support measures for investment and foreign trade activities on the African continent.
- Theme 14. Other Powers in Africa.
Assessment Elements
- Seminar participationAll students are expected to attend every class and participate by contributing to the in-class discussions, participating in group projects and making notes. The statements and answers to the questions must contain well formulated arguments that clearly show your position. To do this, students must demonstrate a quality preparation for seminars and lectures: read all the assigned literature and be ready to perform your critical evaluation of it.
- Oral quizMidterm oral quiz is aimed at verifying how the material covered was learned and understood. The quiz will take place at the end of Module I. Consult your instructor on the material which will be assessed as well as the format of the quiz.
- Project presentationStudents choose one of the topics from the list and prepare a group research project. The list of topics will be distributed to students by their instructors. Students may also suggest the topic of their own interest, but please be sure to approve it with the instructor. The project should contain a historical overview of the problem, but with a clear research component (research question which will be answered in the project using empirical evidence). In class, each team defends their project with a 10–12 minutes presentation followed by a 3–5 minutes Q&A. All team members must speak during the presentation and participate in the Q&A; answers given in Q&A may be graded individually. Project topic selection deadline: October 25, 23:59. Project presentation submission deadline: December 8, 23:59.
- Final ExamThe Final Exam will be held in the form of an oral examination. Students will be tested on knowledge and understanding of the material covered during the course. Students are expected to give comprehensive and analytical answers.
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 2nd module0.3 * Final Exam + 0.2 * Oral quiz + 0.25 * Project presentation + 0.125 * Seminar participation + 0.125 * Seminar participation
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Dead aid: why aid is not working and how there is a better way for Africa, Moyo, D., 2009
- Африка 2023. Возможности и риски : экспертно-аналитический справочник / Нац. исслед. ун-т «Высшая школа экономики», Центр изучения Африки. — 3-е изд., эл. - 978-5-7598-2872-3 - Маслов А. А., Свиридов В. Ю. и др. - 2024 - Москва: ВШЭ - https://ibooks.ru/bookshelf/392824 - 392824 - iBOOKS
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Антропология власти. Т.1: Власть в антропологическом дискурсе, Бочаров, В. В., 2006
- Антропология власти. Т.2: Политическая культура и политические процессы, Щепанская, Т. Б., 2007
- Африка в современных международных отношениях, Вишневский, М. Л., 2011
- Африка в судьбе России. Россия в судьбе Африки, , 2019
- История Африки в биографиях / под редакцией А. Б. Давидсона. — Москва : РГГУ, 2012. — 1112 с. — ISBN 978-5-7281-1358-4. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/291287 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.