杏吧论坛

Dr Eyob Balcha Gebremariam CON. 6.18A (Convenor)

This course is available on the MPA Dual Degree (杏吧论坛 and Columbia), MPA Dual Degree (杏吧论坛 and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (杏吧论坛 and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (杏吧论坛 and Sciences Po), MPA Dual Degree (杏吧论坛 and Tokyo), MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MSc in Anthropology and Development, MSc in Anthropology and Development Management, MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Global Politics, MSc in Health and International Development, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in Human Rights and Politics, MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, MSc in Political Economy of Late Development, MSc in Urban Policy (杏吧论坛 and Sciences Po), MSc in Urbanisation and Development and Master of Public Administration. This course is not available as an outside option.

Please note that in case of over-subscription to this course priority will be given to students from the Department of International Development and its joint degrees (where their regulations permit).

The major concern of the course is with the politics of development in the African context. The course will examine processes of historical, economic, political, social and cultural change in Sub-Saharan Africa. It provides critical analysis of key development interventions and processes. It seeks to combine general theoretical overviews with country case studies illustrating the variety of experiences and trajectories. It does not aim to provide comprehensive coverage of development issues or of regions. Course content will vary from year to year, depending on the specialities of staff.

Attention is paid to legacies of the colonial encounter; the constraints and opportunities presented by African countries' positions in the global economy; the political economy of industrialisation and agrarian transformation, resource mobilisation; trade diversification; urbanisation, demographic transition, institutional reforms and state capacity. Attention will also be paid to social policy with special focus on issues such as social protection and welfare, youth employment, education, health, horizontal inequality and conflict.

20 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the LT. 1 hour and 30 minutes of lectures in the ST.

The first 30 minutes of each seminar will be student-led presentation and discussion. Students will make a 10-12 minute presentation in a maximum group of three and lead a discussion based of a set of questions provided on the theme of the week.

There will be a ninety-minute revision session in early ST.

There will be a reading week in Week 6.

Students will write a 1,500-word essay chosen from class questions and in discussion with the course leader, to be submitted by the Wednesday at 12:00 of the reading week.

A detailed weekly reading list will be provided at the first meeting. The following readings provide an introduction to the course:

1. Botchwey, K. and Stein, H., 2012. Good growth and governance in Africa: Rethinking development strategies. Oxford University Press.

2. Mkandawire, Thandika. (2017). State Capacity, History, Structure, an