Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit explores and critically analyses the international politics of Africa, drawing on historical developments to examine the continent's contemporary dynamics. We first examine key concepts and contexts—including the slave trade, colonialism, the Cold War, pan-Africanism, the state and the global political economy—that have shaped and help us to understand contemporary African actors and their regional and international relations. We then interrogate key relationships between African states, the African Union, and major external actors including the US, EU, China and the UN, examining key themes including regional integration, geopolitics, natural resources, security and equality. The final part of the unit examines the negotiating positions, diplomatic strategies, agency and impacts of African actors on the contemporary global governance agenda, including in sustainable development, climate and trade negotiations.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2024 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 option in the Political Science and International Relations; International Cybersecurity major sequences
- Level 3 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate advanced knowledge about the nature of Africa's international politics and the functions of different African and non-African actors, institutions and policies; (2) critically explain and evaluate relevant ideas, theories and concepts that seek to explain relationships between Africa and the international system; (3) creatively apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to independently and collaboratively address challenges, crises and change in Africa's relations with the international system; (4) competently apply basic Political Science and International Relations methods and skills to designing and executing research on Africa's international politics; and (5) effectively communicate knowledge, ideas, analyses and arguments about Africa's international politics in different formats.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) critical review essay; (2) research essay; and (3) tutorial participation. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- TBC
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- 12 points of Social Sciences and/or Humanities study at level 2
- Advisable prior study
- Level 1 and 2 POLS units
- Contact hours
- 3 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.