305 The postcolonial state: politics, justice and security in poor countries

Target group/Course level

Maximum of 20 students will be taken. Priority is given to those majoring in Development Studies.

Content

During the last decade, development policies and practices in the world’s richest nations and many developing countries have become increasingly preoccupied with issues of security. This has involved redefining development and redirecting aid and policy as tools to prevent or resolve violence and conflict. This shift in attention poses new challenges to the social sciences.

The course offers a critical introduction to contemporary debates on state, sovereignty and security in Africa, with an emphasis on contributions from Anthropology, History and Political Science. During the weekend seminar, we will revisit the themes of the course by watching the film Apocalypse Now, followed by group work and discussions.

Course work and forms of study

For 5 credits:

• attendance of minimum 5 out of 6 Monday sessions and the entire week-end seminar (25-26.4.) • presentation of maximum 20 min. (+10-25 min. for discussion) during the course as part of a working group • writing of a lecture diary for the Monday lectures, approximately 2 pages A4 per session, to be submitted by (5.5.).

For 10 credits: • In addition to the above, writing an essay of 5000 words (ca. 12 pages A4) by (16.5.).

Grading

Grading will be on scale 0-5.

Course evaluation anddevelopment

For further details on the course programme, requirements etc., see the course