POL 376A: Politics of Africa
Professor Santiago
Politics of Africa explores multiple themes including the impacts of the colonial legacy on current structures and incentives of African governments, the role of governance and the impact of the state on everyday life in African countries, the limitations of 50 years of development assistance, causes and persistence of conflicts, and globalization’s impacts on the continent. A specific goal of the course is to give voice to those from the continent in examining history, society, and politics. We critically examine research by Africans and Africanists, as well as through discussion of specific case studies and close examination of current events. A sub-theme of social justice runs through the course: why are some African countries economically and politically dysfunctional, who is responsible, what should/should not the rest of the world do about it, and how does it affect the millions of people who live on the continent? What does political and economic justice look like for Africa? #postcolonialism #global #justice
POL 450A: Frontline of Global War
Professor Meiser
This course covers the history of the rise of violent Salafi groups and U.S. efforts to counter these groups. We begin with the emergence of the “holy war” against the Soviet Union in 1979 fought by the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan and Pakistan and end with the present conflict with the fall of the Islamic State and subsequent dispersal. We trace the evolution of al Qaeda from its origins up through its attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001 and the subsequent U.S. counter-efforts ranging from the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), to global counter-insurgency, to countering violent extremism (CVE). Conceptually, we will develop an understanding of insurgency and counterinsurgency, terrorism and counterterrorism, post-conflict stabilization, Islamism, and Salafism.
POL 348A: Geopolitics of Energy and the Environment
Professor Meiser
Geopolitics is the study of the interaction between geography and politics. Geography is defined expansively as the study of spacial relationships, with special emphasis on how special variation in biophysical world affects human societies. Politics is the study of power—how it is attained, maintained, and used. Putting these concepts together we can define geopolitics as the study of how variation in the biophysical world shapes the pursuit and use of power by human societies.
This course addresses the following questions: How does the biophysical environment shape power relations among human societies? Is geopolitical analysis useful for understanding the role of energy and the environment in the international system? Why or why not? How does the distribution of energy and environmental resources shape power relations? As new great powers emerge, are we entering an age of increased scarcity of resources (water, oil, food) and increased conflict? Will global warming cause geopolitical change?