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PSC 001
Introduction to
Media and
African Politics |
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15 lectures 3
credits
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Course
description |
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The course will
introduce
students to
African
political
systems and
traditions. The
course is
important
because African
journalists must
have a thorough
knowledge of the
political
environments in
which they
operate.
The course will
also teach
students the
elements of
public policy in
Africa and how
journalists can
report public
affairs. |
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Course
objectives |
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At the end of
the course
students will
have the
background
knowledge of the
African
political
systems they
will need to be
able to report
with expertise
on public
affairs,
international
and regional
relations,
national and
local government
policies, the
national budget,
elections and
parliamentary
meetings and
procedures. |
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Course outline |
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Lecture 1 - 2 |
The colonial and
post colonial
state in Africa.
A historical and
contemporary
overview of the
development of
the state in
Africa. |
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Lecture 3 - 4 |
The political
economy of the
post colonial
state in Africa
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Students will
learn about the
political and
economic forces
that impact on
the behavior of
the state |
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Lecture 5 - 7 |
International
relations |
Students will
learn how
national
politics is
impacted by
regional and
international
relations.
Students will
learn about
national,
regional and
international
institutions
like African
Union, United
Nations, Unesco,
and their role
in national
development and
international
trade.
Instructor will
provide case
studies to help
students
understand the
dynamics of
international
relations. |
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Lecture 8 - 9 |
Class, race and
ethnicity in
African politics |
Students will
learn about
class, race and
ethnicity issues
and how they
affect African
politics, the
media and
society |
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Lecture 10 |
Policy analysis
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Students will
learn principles
of policy
analysis. The
role of the
journalist is
partially to
interpret
government
policy and
programs to the
masses.
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Grading.
Quizzes will
account for 40
percent of the
final grade
Written essays
will account for
30 percent of
the final grade.
The final term
project on
policy analysis
will constitute
30 percent of
the final grade.
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