STUDY PLAN: APC1501 POLITICAL EVOLUTION OF THE AFRICAN
STATE
Week 1 Note on Introduction will be posted on myUnisa Chapter 1
Introduction to the subject, the importance of studying African Politics, and theoretical issues.
Week 2 Note on the Scramble posted on myUnisa Chapter 2
Read the article by Michalopoulos, S. and Papaiounnou, E. 2016. The Long-Run Effects of the
Scramble for Africa. American Economic Review, 106(7): 1802-1848. (article is in the
eReserves).
In this unit there appears to be a difficulty with students being able to distinguish between the factors
that constitute the reasons for why the scramble happened and the factors that facilitated the
scramble (that means, the practical things that made it possible for the scramble to be carried out).
Week 3 Note on Chapter 3 Colonial Rule
• explain and give examples of the strategies of submission, alliance and confrontation
adopted by African leaders
• explain the role of concession companies in the governing of colonial Africa
• describe the key characteristics of British, French and Portuguese colonial administrative
policy
• describe the general factors and structures which contributed to the rise of nationalism in
Africa
Note clarifying three methods of colonial rule posted on myUnisa.
More notes posted on concepts and the three methods of colonial rule.
Read articles by Cogneau, D. et al 2018. African states and development in historical
perspective: Colonial public finances in British and French West. Paris School of Economics,
(29): 1-36 and
Mwikali, W. 2021. The Role of Colonialism in the Transformation of Livestock Economy
among the Akamba of Machakos, Kenya, 1895-1919. Journal of African Interdisciplinary
Studies, 5(3): 4-20. (articles are in the eReserves).
Week 4 Note on Chapter 4: Movement towards Decolonisation
Chapter 4 Study Unit 7 discusses African Nationalism.
Students struggle with understanding this concept and differentiating it from pan-Africanism. Will
posts notes and discuss via discussion forum to explain concept better.
Read articles by Baruah, N. G. et al 2021. Colonial legacies: shaping African cities. Journal of
Economic Geography, 21(1): 29-65 and
SUBMISSION OF Assessment 1 available
ASSESSMENT 1
20 randomised multiple choice questions
Week 5 Note on Colonial legacies posted on myUnisa: Chapter 4 (study unit 8) Decolonisation and
the impact of colonial domination on Africa
Post notes on colonial legacies, assist student with understanding the political, social and economic
effects of colonial rule in Africa.
Read article by Monroe, J.C. 2013. Power and agency in precolonial African states. Annual
Review of Anthropology, 42: 17-35. (article not in the eReserves, but a key reading which is
posted on the additional resources).
Week 6 Note on Chapter 5 The evolution of African nationalist movements case studies (study unit 9)
Read article by Nantambu, K.1998. Pan-Africanism versus Pan-African Nationalism An
Afrocentric Analysis Journal of Black Studies, 28(5): 561-574. (articles are in the eReserves).
Case studies are Uganda and Congo
Week 7 Note on Chapter 6 What is the State? (study unit 12)
Post notes on understanding irredentism vs land reform, statehood, nationhood and secession. These
are critical concepts for the exam. Students should be familiarising themselves with these concepts.
What is an ethnic group and what is a nation?
Week 8 Note on Chapter 6 clarifying concepts on study unit 13
Discussion on statehood must extend to our consideration of empirical and juridical statehood, soft
states and collapsed or failed states.
SUBMISSION OF Assessment 2 available
ASSESSMENT 2
20 randomised multiple choice questions
Week 9 Note on Chapter 6 (study unit 13) clarifying concepts continued
Understanding statehood and nationhood.
Week 10 Note on Chapter 6 clarifying concepts posted on myUnisa.
Post notes on distinguishing the difference between clientelism and clientilism.
Week 11 Note on Chapter 6 - Clapham’s article posted on myUnisa.
Post notes on Clapham’s article and discuss the role of civil society and organizations that have
emerged from civil society.
Read the article by Clapham, C. 2001. Rethinking African States. African Security Studies, 10(3):
6-16. (article is in the eReserves).
Week 12 Notes on exam guidelines.
