This course is an introduction to African political philosophy.Over nine sessions we will engage with the discourse and what is African about its political philosophy. We will explore the rich and diverse tradition of political thought in Africa. We will delve into the historical, cultural, and philosophical foundations of African political philosophy.
In this course, students will be instructed on African political philosophy. The field of African political philosophy as an academic discipline is new, but there has been over the years discourse on political thought in Africa that is philosophical by statesmen and philosophers. Their ability to build their political theories on sub-Saharan norms is a testament to this. Traditional practices among many indigenous African people serves as a backbone to this discourse. African political philosophy, as Bernard Matolino puts it, “is a rounded rejection of the Westerner’s impositions and a celebration of discovering one’s roots at the same time”. In this course, we will engage some of the works of these statemen and philosophers. Students will critically analyze primary texts, engage with contemporary scholarship, and interrogate the relevance of African political thought to global discourses on democracy, governance, and social change. We will examine various perspectives, debates, and themes within the context of African societies. Students will become acquainted with the ideas of well-known statemen and philosophers during the session, such Léopold Sédar Senghor, Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Segun Gbadegesin, Kwasi Wiredu, Kwame Gyekye, and many more.
What will we cover?
• What African political philosophy entails.
• Historical development of African political thought.
• Socialism, democracy, and other political ideologies.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to…
• Define and understand African political philosophy.
• Have gained knowledge of African political philosophy with some of the matters that are considered important in the discourse.
• To have a good knowledge of the political discussions in African political philosophy.
• Have some ideas of the thoughts of some African political philosophers and statesmen, and their perspectives on enduring philosophical issues.
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the nature of African political philosophy.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory level course. All that is needed is a receptive mind, the ability to think critically, engage with the materials for intellectual discussions, and be prepared to consider and pay attention to the views and positions of other students that may be different from yours.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Various new topics will be introduced by the tutor each week. Some of the texts will be presented in PowerPoint format. To better grasp the materials, a critical and intellectual discussion is encouraged. Students are encouraged to search the internet for extra readings in addition to the texts studied during the sessions.
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