Contact Us
John and Elnora Ferguson Centre for African Studies
Ashfield Building (room T0.1)
University of Bradford
Richmond Rd.,
Bradford BD7 1DP, West Yorkshire, UK
For general enquiries, send an email to JEFCAS@brad.ac.uk
Postgraduate Taught Course
The JEFCAS taught programme - MA Africa Peace and Conflict Studies - focuses on key political, economic, and social questions in contemporary Africa. The programme covers the domestic and global context of African development, conflicts and institutional challenges drawing on comparative approaches from the social sciences, along with extensive contextual knowledge of African countries.
The study of Africa is organized along three broad themes:
Governance
The establishment of capable, effective and legitimate government is among the most central dilemmas in post-colonial Africa. The study of governance includes themes of state formation; institutions; authoritarianism and democracy; public policy and administration; civil society; and political participation and management of heterogeneous societies. We trace the historical origins of African states, their formation under colonial rule and the difficulties of building power and authority in independent Africa. Issues such as political reform, the rule of law, corruption, social diversity; federalism; and popular engagement in politics are important topics. We direct special attention to problems of democratization in Africa.
Development
Africa's slow economic growth, and efforts at economic revitalization, provides a central theme of the programme. The study of development includes economic growth and structure, social provisions and public welfare, the interplay of domestic and global markets, and the institutional foundations of economic performance. We are concerned with the colonial foundations of contemporary African economies, the region's position in the world economy, and contemporary patterns of production, investment and trade. The role of governance and the development of institutions are important elements of economic change. We look at crucial issues of poverty, inequality, gender disparities, HIV/AIDS, education, and health. We also consider the strategic options of African states under conditions of globalization.
Security
Security is a fundamental condition for effective governance and development. Since the end of the Cold War, the region has reflected widespread threats to national stability and human security. Failing states, interstate wars, and conflicts over natural resources have proliferated throughout the African continent. Ethnic, religious, and regional violence is a common syndrome, while in many countries criminality suffuses both society and the state. The study of security has global and domestic aspects. The nature of the contemporary international order and regional security arrangements provide central themes, while the evolution of state power is a crucial focus. We also study the origins and changing patterns of instability in the region and mechanisms for conflict mitigation.
Module Descriptors:
- Introduction to African Politics (core module)
- African Approaches to Conflict Resolution and Peace Building
- African Security Studies
- Crisis of Post-Coloniality in Africa
- Africa Study Visit
In addition, the programme provides the opportunity for students to deepen and broaden their knowledge in the form of optional modules that exist within the Department of Peace Studies and the Department of Development and Economic Studies.
For further details, including an application form, please contact:
Sue Piper
MA Programme Secretary
Department of Peace Studies
University of Bradford
Bradford BD7 1DP
Tel: 01274 234171 Fax: 01274235240
Email: s.e.piper@bradford.ac.uk
Introduction to African Politics (core module)
The aim of this module is to allow you to develop an advanced understanding of Africa's political history and its implications for contemporary events. The module will encourage you to think analytically about the underlying forces shaping issues of peace, conflict, and development of the African continent. No prior knowledge of Africa or African politics is assumed. The module will focus on colonialism, the post-colonial legacy, ethnicity and conflict, the underdevelopment of Africa, democracy in the African context, the role of religion in African politics, the relationship of China and Africa, and other different thematic issues that pertain to African politics.
Approaches to Conflict Resolution and Peace Building
This module is designed to allow you to develop an advanced and critical understanding of African approaches to conflict resolution and peace-building. By making extensive use of case studies, our aim is to encourage you to reflect on the ways in which African approaches relate to theories and practices in the field of conflict resolution and peace studies, and to explore their potential in the prevention, managemen,t and resolution of contemporary conflicts in Africa. The course will include topics such as pivotal concepts and themes in conflict resolution; conflict resolution methods and techniques; culture, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding; conflict management and the post-colonial state in Africa; indigenous knowledge and conflict management practices and institutions in traditional African societies; and peacemaking and peacebuilding from below, in selected communities across Africa. Case study discussions will focus on South Africa (Truth and Reconciliation Commission), Burundi (Mandela and the Arusha Process), Rwanda (Gacaca); Angola; Mozambique; as well as the continental and regional institutional dimension (AU, Panel of the Wise, NEPAD, APRM).
African Security Studies
This course introduces students to the advanced theoretical and empirical knowledge relevant to understanding contemporary African politics, and the links between conflict, security, and development. It examines especially the interface between regional security, conflict, management, economic development, and democratization in post-Cold War Africa.
Crisis of Post-Coloniality in Africa
This module explores the major competing perspectives on post-coloniality in Africa, empirical manifestations of CPA, as well as the role of African local stakeholders (in particular, the governing elites) and external agencies in the post-colonial crisis. The module comprises 11 theoretical and applied lecture topics and student-led seminars, including 'Introduction to Colonial and Post-colonial Discourses', 'Discursive Violence and Counter-Discourses on African Development', 'Worldviews of the First Generation of African Leaders and the Shaping of African Postcolonial States', 'Traditional and Modern Political Authorities', 'African Triple Heritage, Ethnicity & Identity Politics', 'The Economic Ramifications of CPA and Approach of Neo- liberal Institutions', 'African Leaders' Perceptions and Approach to CPA', and 'African Solutions to African Problems'.
The aim of this practical module is to provide students with the opportunity to have first-hand experience of the conflict-torn, war-affected, and post-conflict environment in Africa. The choice of country is decided each year - bearing in mind safety and security prioritie,s as well as cost implications for the students. (read more)
