This course examines the complex relationship between race and the state in Africa, from 1800 to the present. We will explore how racial ideologies were constructed and institutionalized through colonial governance, how they shaped post-independence nation-building, and how they continue to inform contemporary politics, economic structures, and identity formations. Through case studies across different African regions, students will analyze the role of race in questions of citizenship, migration, conflict, and global economic relations. Drawing on political theory, history, and media such as film and various forms of popular culture where applicable, the course interrogates the intersections of race, power, and statecraft in Africa’s past and present.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 25

Crosslisted Courses:

Prerequisites: POL4 201 or POL4 216 or permission of instructor.

Distribution Requirements: SBA - Social and Behavioral Analysis

Typical Periods Offered: Spring

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring

Notes: