Africa in International Relations

Teachers

Included in study programs

Teaching results

The aim of the subject is to acquire basic knowledge about Africa and countries in Africa, understanding their historical and geographical conditions and their consequences to the present. The subject represents a part of the world that, despite its growing importance, is seldom studied in the Slovak environment. For students of economic diplomacy, it thus completes the image of an important player in world affairs.
Knowledge: a basic overview of the history of Africa in the context of world development, assessment of Africa and its individual states from the point of view of geography, economy, politics and culture, the position of Africa in the current globalized world
Competencies: to understand the complexity of the development of African countries, to identify the historical causes of the current position of Africa in the world economy and politics, to identify regional specificities within Africa and their consequences
Skills: the ability to critically evaluate the actions of various actors in Africa, orientation in the key and determining milestones of the development of Africa, the ability to analyze the possible future direction of African states
After completing the subject, the student should:
- Identify the main problems and challenges of Africa and its selected countries.
- Be able to analyze and compare the situation in individual African states from an economic, political and security point of view.
- Think critically and reflect on the actions of different actors in Africa.

Indicative content

Africa´s physical geography and regions in Africa. Geopolitics of Africa. The colonial history of Africa under different colonial regimes. Decolonization of Africa. The economic situation of African countries. Demography and development indicators. Natural resources in Africa. Political situation in African countries. The region of civil wars and armed conflicts. The status of Africa in international relations. Development assistance and investment. Slovak ODA in Africa. Migration.

Support literature

LANGDON, Steven, RITTER, Archibald R. M. & SAMY, Yiagadeesen (2018): African Economic Development. New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-138-91501-5.
MEREDITH, Martin (2005): The State of Africa. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0857203886.
OLIVER, Roland & FAGE, J. D. (1990): A Short History of Africa (Sixth Edition). London: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0140136010.
MOYO, Dambisa (2009): Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is Another Way for Africa. London: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-141-03118-7.
THOMSON, Alex (2004): An Introduction to African Politics (Second Edition). Oxon: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-28262-8.

Syllabus

1. Africa´s physical geography and regions in Africa. 2. Geopolitics of Africa. 3. The colonial history of Africa under different colonial regimes. 4. Decolonization of Africa. 5. The economic situation of African countries. 6. Demography and development indicators. 7. Natural resources in Africa. 8. Political situation in African countries. 9. The region of civil wars and armed conflicts. 10. The status of Africa in international relations. 11. Development assistance and investment. 12. Slovak ODA in Africa. 13. Migration.

Requirements to complete the course

20 % semestral project, 80 % exam

Student workload

participation in seminars 26 hrs, preparation for seminars 13 hrs, preparation of the project 13 hrs, preparation for final exam 26 hrs

Language whose command is required to complete the course

English

Date of approval: 18.03.2024

Date of the latest change: 04.10.2024