HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS OF AFRICA

Course objectives

General aims The course aims to thematically cover the main events and developments referring to the contemporary history of the African continent. This is done from an international perspective, including subjects from the colonial expansion to the present day. Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired the necessary tools for a specialist knowledge of the historical evolution of the political and economic systems of contemporary Africa within the framework of transnational relations. They will also understand the differences among the various local, regional, and international dimensions. Specific objectives - analyse and understanding the main developments of the African continent through a historical perspective. - acquire a critical and analytical approach to the problems, priorities and national and international policies affecting African countries. - ability to analyze and use general knowledge to fully understand the African reality in a comparative perspective

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LEILA EL HOUSSI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course offers an overview of the history, policies and international relations of the African continent in contemporary times. Programme - Introduction to the course - Colonial expansion in sub-Saharan Africa and Mediterranean Africa European colonialism Italian colonialism - Nationalism Panafricanism Négritude - Decolonisation: The process of independence in sub-Saharan Africa and Mediterranean Africa -Italy and Africa in the sixties and seventies Diplomacy and development cooperation Diplomatic policy and parallel diplomacy ENI in Africa - Islam and Radicalism Muslim Brotherhood in North Africa Islamist Movements in Sub-Saharan Africa - Current Africa in international relations China and Africa Europe and Africa
Prerequisites
The course is open to all students. A thorough knowledge of contemporary history and the history of international relations is preferred.
Books
VOLUMI G. Calchi Novati, P. Valsecchi, Africa : la storia ritrovata, Carocci Roma, 2019. L.El Houssi, L'Africa ci sta di fronte. Una storia italiana dal colonialismo al terzomondismo, Carocci Roma 2021. Eventuali dispense e articoli di approfondimento fornite dal docente ( per frequentanti)
Frequency
Class participants: They regularly attend classes and may have a different exam schedule and specific readings.
Exam mode
The assessment is based on an oral test which is usually articulated on three questions concerning the course texts for the preparation for the exam and the student's ctitical reasoning.
Lesson mode
The course will be delivered through a number of lectures. This will allow the acquisition of the knowledge foreseen in the course aims. In addition, the teacher might set up some seminars to encourage further study and team- and group-working (and according to the students' interests) during the lessons, will be able to provide for meetings of a seminar nature, or the carrying out of group work. The course will also make use of literature material and films.
  • Lesson code10593006
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseInternational Relations and Supranational Institutions
  • CurriculumRelazioni internazionali e istituzioni sovranazionali (percorso valido per il conseguimento del doppio titolo italo-francese)
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDSPS/13
  • CFU9