This course examines key themes on the political economy of natural resources and development in sub-Saharan Africa. It considers the following questions: Why are resource-rich African countries often poor? Is the ‘paradox of plenty” real, or there are other alternative explanations that account for this phenomenon? What is the agency of African communities and governments in shaping outcomes with resource endowment? What are the antidotes to the resource curse? The course uses historical and theoretical analyses in African political economy to answer these questions in a holistic, multipronged manner, focusing on themes such as colonialism, post-colonial state-building, the ‘decade of development’, and Africa in the global system. It combines this with analyses of the governance of oil and diamonds, and case studies on how resource endowment has affected producer countries in different ways.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 20

Prerequisites: AFR 263 or POL2 204, or by permission of the instructor.

Instructor: Shingirai Taodzera

Distribution Requirements: SBA - Social and Behavioral Analysis

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

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