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Department of Political Science | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Simon Fraser University Calendar | Spring 2025

African Studies

Certificate

This program requires a minimum of 30 units: 18 lower division and 12 upper division. Special topics courses that are relevant to Africa may be included in place of those listed below with permission of the certificate program committee. Visit the department’s general office to obtain a list of University-wide courses with African content.

Program Requirements

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete six of the following courses, and any prerequisite courses that are required for those listed below.

ARCH 252 - Ancient Egypt and Africa (3)

Exploration of the major cultural developments in Africa from the origin of humankind to the rise of several ancient civilizations, with special emphasis on ancient Egypt. Students are exposed to various approaches taken by palaeoanthropologists, prehistoric archaeologists, historians and Egyptologists. Students with credit for ARCH 200 under this title may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

HIST 146 - Africa after the Transatlantic Slave Trade (3)

An introductory survey of African perspectives on, and experiences of, history since abolition in the 1830s. Themes include: oral history; colonization and resistance; social, political and environmental change under colonial rule; independence movements and decolonization; cultures and religions; and the search for stability and prosperity post-independence. Breadth-Humanities.

HIST 151 - The Modern Middle East (3)

An introductory survey of the changing societies of the Middle East since 1800. Emphasis will be placed on familiarizing students with the basic aspects of Islamic society, the influence of European imperialism, the modernization of traditional societies, the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the social and political ferment in the period since the Second World War. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D900 Paul Sedra
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Surrey
D901 Paul Sedra
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Surrey
D902 Paul Sedra
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Surrey
HIST 231 - History of Africa to the 19th Century: From Ancient Times to the Slave Trade (3)

A general, introductory survey of Africa's rich pre-colonial past, its vibrant cultures and sophisticated technologies, far-reaching commercial and political networks, and dynamic (and internally differentiated) social systems. Also discusses the trans-Atlantic trade in African slaves and the arrival of Europeans on African shores. Breadth-Humanities.

HIST 249 - Classical Islamic Civilization (3)

This course offers a broad survey of the development of classical Islamic civilization. It begins with an examination of the origins of Islam in seventh century Arabia and concludes with the break-up of the Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad in the 13th century. Emphasis will be place on gaining an understanding of the doctrines of Islam, the significance of the rise and fall of the early Arab-Islamic empires, and the role of Islam in world history. Breadth-Humanities.

IS 210 - Comparative World Politics: Trajectories, Regimes, Challenges (3)

Introduces students to the variety of systems of governance in the world today, examines the historical and cultural sources of their different developmental trajectories, and assesses the challenges they face in the future. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D900 Logan Masilamani
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Surrey
POL 132 - From Dictatorship to Democracy in the Global South (3)

Introduces the concepts and tools needed to measure and analyze state formation, democracy, autocracy, development, and conflict worldwide, focusing on the Global South. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Shivaji Mukherjee
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
POL 141 - International Relations (3)

Explores causes and consequences of international political conflict, including war, terrorism, protectionism, nationalism, economic disparity, migration, and humanitarian crises. Evaluates how states and non-state actors navigate and influence these conflicts and the role of international law, diplomacy, and organizational cooperation. Analyzes worldviews on war, peace, human rights, and world order. Students who have taken POL 241 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete three of the following courses, and any prerequisite courses that are required for those listed below.

HIST 344 - Themes in Modern East Africa (4)

Examines the diversity of environments, cultures and livelihoods in East Africa and the Horn in the context of long-term trans-regional influences, especially slave trade, cash cropping, colonization and post-colonial politics, and the expansion of the world religions into East Africa. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 344 may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history.

HIST 348 - A History of Twentieth Century South Africa (4)

An examination of the economic, social and political history of 20th century South Africa. Particular attention will be paid to the factors which led to the rise of apartheid. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Recommended: at least one of HIST 146, 231.

HIST 354 - Imperialism and Modernity in the Middle East (4)

This course examines the role of imperialism in the transformation of societies in the Middle East and North Africa over the last two centuries. Focusing mainly on the cases of Ottoman, British and French empire building, the course discusses the socio-economic, cultural and political changes brought about by the interaction of various segments of local societies with these imperial powers. Prerequisite: 45 units, including six units of lower division history. Recommended: one of HIST 151, 249.

HIST 467 - Modern Egypt (4)

An interpretive discussion of the course of modern Egyptian history. This may range from the advent to power of Muhammed Ali Pasha until recent times, or may focus on specific periods of revolutionary change. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history and one of HIST 151, 249, 350, 354, 355 or permission of the department.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Paul Sedra
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HIST 473W - Problems in Southern African History (4)

An examination of the way in which South African society evolved in the 19th and 20th centuries. Particular attention will be paid to the problem of race relations. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 473W may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Recommended: HIST 231, 348. Writing.

POL 374 - Africa in the Global Political Economy (4)

Considers Africa in the historical development of the modern global political economy, from the transatlantic slave trade to the present. Examines contemporary issues associated with Africa in the neo-liberal world order and the politics of resistance and alternative pathways or models of development. Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 James Busumtwi-sam
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
Burnaby