Some Courses I Teach: Click on course numbers for current course syllabi.

POSC/WOMS 315  Third World/South Women in Politics: This course seeks to introduce students to the varied experiences of women in Third World/South polities and societies. More particularly, the course aims to expose students to specific experiences of women in diverse locations in the Global South. It is hoped that through this course students will gain a greater understanding of the concepts and analytical tools necessary for evaluating gender in Third World politics. The course begins by interrogating different definitions of feminism - first world, third world and transnational. It then takes a step back in history to look at women's roles under colonialism and at independence. Next the course investigates the roles of women in formal and informal politics and global gender politics. The course continues by examining the different circumstances facing women as they work, as they experience war and the aftermath of war, gender-based violence, and religious fundamentalism. The course ends with proposals for international advocacy campaigns and by returning to the idea of transnational feminisms.  The class is crosslisted with Women's Studies.

POSC 433  African Politics: This course provides students with a broad overview of politics and society in Africa (excluding North and Southern Africa). The course begins with an examination of pre-colonial and colonial Africa, before moving on to the rise of nationalism in the 1950s and the overthrow of colonial rule in the 1960s. The course considers the emergence of single party and military rule in many African countries after independence, and then examines the recent transitions and attempted transitions to democracy. The course further investigates African economies before focusing on a variety of social identities including religion, ethnicity, gender, and family. The course concludes with presentations of critical issues facing the continent today. The course fulfills the University multicultural requirement and is usually offered every fall semester. The class also contributes toward the Black American Studies major and the African Studies Program minor.

POSC/BAMS 439  Topics in African Politics: African Women in Politics: This course examines the important role that women are playing in politics across the African continent today. It begins with an exploration of African women’s political roles during the pre-colonial and colonial periods. We will investigate how the institutions of patriarchy and colonialism affected African women’s political power and altered gender relations. We will then move on to women’s roles in struggles for independence and liberation and in the early post-colonial period. The bulk of the course will focus on African women in politics in the first 50 years of independence, including women and conflict, women's roles in political transitions, women's movements, women in legislatures and executives, and women as traditional authorities. The class will also investigate the debates around African feminisms. The course is offered against the backdrop of some of the highest legislative representations for women in the world in Africa and Africa’s first elected woman president. The class is conducted in a seminar format and is usually offered every spring semester. The course satisfies the University multicultural requirement and fulfills a requirement for the minor in African Studies.

POSC/BAMS 439  Topics in African Politics: Southern African Politics: This course examines politics and society in Southern Africa. The course considers the many challenges facing the countries of Southern Africa, including reconstruction and development in South Africa and Namibia, political transitions in Malawi and Zambia, political and economic collapse in Zimbabwe, and the prospects for peace and recovery in Angola and democratic development in Mozambique. The course begins with a historical overview of the region, and then proceeds largely on a country by country basis. Throughout the course we address such issues as the impact of colonialism, race and ethnicity, gender relations, the role of political parties and organizations of civil society, and the prospects for economic and political liberalization. The course satisfies the University multicultural requirement and fulfills a requirement for the minor in African Studies.

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Last updated 12/20/11.