Examine the historical development of African states and security institutions. Evaluate colonial legacies, liberation struggles and post-independence political settlements.

Learning outcomes

  • Interpret historical sources in their context.
  • Explain links between state formation and security institutions.
  • Evaluate competing historical accounts.

Main topics

  • Precolonial political systems
  • Colonial administration
  • Decolonisation
  • Post-independence institutions

Practical task

Build an annotated timeline of institutional change in one Southern African country using published sources.

Assessment

Source commentary and a historical essay.