[The lectures of this course wil be delivered on WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON (4:30 pm to 6:20 pm) in the LIBRARY of CHI SUN COLLEGE, 9 LUNG WAH STREET, KENNEDY TOWN]

Course Description

This course examines the social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of globalization from an African perspective. We will cover a range of topics that exemplify the agency of the peoples of Africa in shaping the globalized world of today, as well as the impact of globalization on Africa. Pre-colonial patterns of exchange between Africa, Asia and other world regions were disrupted by European intervention from the 15th century onwards. We will see how, inspite of the difficult legacy of colonialism, African nations have taken up the challenge of political reconstruction, economic growth, and regional integration.

One focus of this course is the massive expansion of Africa’s creative industries – digital media, music, arts, literature, fashion, and film – both within the continent and on a global scale. We will have the chance to look at the pivotal roles of urbanization, mobility, digital technology, entrepreneurship, and the extraordinary linguistic and cultural diversity and vibrancy of the peoples of Africa and the global African diaspora. Another aspect to be covered in detail is the rapid and far-reaching socio-economic change that African nations have been undergoing in the last three decades or so. Here we will consider, among other aspects, the reorientation of many African nations away from Western powers and their growing involvement with China and regional powers such as Brazil, India, Japan, Russia or Turkey.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe the major global issues confronting Africa today.
• Critically assess both the positive and negative consequences of specific phenomena of globalization for selected African countries and societies.
• Compare the impact of globalization on African societies with the consequences of globalization on their own societies and cultures.
• Identify and analyze the economic, political and socio-cultural implications of Africa’s increasingly complex interaction with various world regions, including China.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

First semester (Wed)