FS 009 PZ -Women and Political Change in Africa

Institution: Pitzer

Description: Over the past twenty years, African countries have arguably generated the most dramatic increases in women’s political representation in the world. Rwanda boasts the largest percentage of female legislators, while Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Seychelles, and South Africa are among the top 15 (the United States is 114th). Political scientists have sought to understand these developments by analyzing gender quota systems, post-conflict peace negotiations, and efforts at reconstituting political orders through democratization. In this course, we will examine these changes as part of a broader (and much longer!) history of women’s political engagement on the continent, which will illuminate discourses and forms of activism that are particular to African contexts. Through analysis of scholarly works, biographies, memoirs, documentaries, as well as visual and performing arts, students will build frames of knowledge that foster an intercultural understanding of women’s work in African forms of statehood, anti-colonial and anti-apartheid movements, fueling leadership transitions at local and national levels, and advocating for the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ individuals. Writing projects will focus on developing students’ abilities in evaluating sources, critical reading, formulating arguments, organizing evidence, drafting, and revision.

Prerequisite(s): First-Year Seminars are required for all incoming freshman and do not have prerequisites.

First-Year seminars are not listed on the course schedule. Incoming students will be assigned to a first-year seminar and registered automatically.