Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay Essay, 2500 words on the first half of the module topics 3000 Words | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Seminar participation 0 Words | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Blog A blog which explores a key contemporary issue, written in a persuasive and accessible manner for a well-informed yet non-academic audience. 2000 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Blog A blog which explores a key contemporary issue, written in a persuasive and accessible manner for a well-informed yet non-academic audience. 2000 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay Essay, 2500 words on the first half of the module topics 3000 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Assessment in lieu of Seminar Participation 1 x 500 word assessment in lieu of seminar participation. | 10% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Identify the key features of colonialism in Sub-Saharan Africa and their enduring impact today
Describe and analyse the key features of society in contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa
Describe and analyse the key features of politics in contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa
Describe and analyse the key features of the economy in contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa
Describe and analyse the key features of security in contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa
Identify and assess the changing role of Sub-Saharan Africa in global political and economic relations
Brief description
The module will introduce students to key contemporary issues in Sub-Saharan African politics, society, development and security. A discussion of pressing contemporary topics (such as new development initiatives, emerging political movements or recent conflicts) will be anchored in a coherent framework of themes to provide continuity over time, whilst reflecting up-to-date issues. The history of colonialism and its enduring impacts provides the foundations for study on the module which focuses on the continent's current contribution and future potential, as well as questions of inequality.
Content
Introduction:
Colonialism and colonial legacies
Society, culture and religion
Politics and democracy
Africa in global politics
Development strategies
Sub-Saharan Africa in the global economy
Security concerns
Peace and dignity
Conclusion: Sub-Saharan African Futures
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| The module aims to promote self-management but within a context in which support and assistance is available from both the convener and fellow students alike. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance, including searching for sources and deciding (under guidance) the direction of their coursework. | |
| Critical thinking will be promoted throughout the module and is a key feature of the assessment criteria of all assessments. | |
| Students will undertake team exercises in the seminars through small group discussion and presentation of findings. | |
| The written work includes writing clearly and concisely, which is a common task in the workplace. The blog exercise in particular is an opportunity to hone skills in writing for an interested yet non-academic audience, a very useful transferable skill. | |
| Students will be required to undertake independent research for the essay and blog elements of the assessed work. This will involve utilizing media and web sources, as well as more conventional academic texts. Students will in part be assessed on their ability to gather appropriate and interesting digital materials. Students must submit work electronically and navigate Blackboard, Aspire, Primo and a range of other digital information sources and platforms. | |
| Students will learn how to present their ideas both verbally (seminar participation) and in writing (essay and blog). This includes clear, coherent, and effective formulation of the analysis and arguments presented in written work. Students will also learn to orally enunciate clearly and concisely arguments during seminars. | |
| Students will be encouraged throughout to reflect on their performance and to consider lessons for future application. This will be undertaken as part of the Blog exercise. | |
| The module requires independent work and problem solving through the submission of the essay, the blog and preparation for seminar discussions. Students will develop skills by means of: identify problems, access data, collate and organize data collected, estimate an answer to the question, reason logically, look for patterns, engage in comparative analysis, etc. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5