I.S. 4050A		DR. FEMI BABARINDE
RBE: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA		OFFICE: ROOM 11
FALL, 1996		PHONE #: X7807

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to acquaint students with the sub Sahara African business environment. That is, the environment within which business activities take place. In doing so, the social, political, and economic dynamics of the region will be examined mainly from the perspectives of both non-Africans and Africans. A synthesis of the two interpretations of African affairs will facilitate our comprehension of the region's intricate dynamics. Thus, we will concentrate on the post-independence era in order to explore some of the existing problems in detail.

The first part of the course will be devoted to reviewing the socio-political dynamics of the region. The second part of the course will be used to analyze, to the extent possible, the political economy of sub-Saharan Africa and its business culture. To this end, we will explore the perspectives of scholars and political actors within the region and compare and contrast them with those from the international arena, especially by the Bretton Woods institutions. Additional attention will be given in this course to recent events in South Africa.

Depending on class size, class sessions will likely subscribe to a lecture-discussion format.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

Understanding Contemporary Africa, edited by Gordon & Gordon
Technology and Women: Cassava Processing in West Africa. TechnoServe Case by Luery, Bowman, and Akinola
Africa (6th Edition) edited by Jeff Ramsay
Sustainable Development for A Democratic South Africa by Ken Cole

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

Apartheid in South Africa by David Smith

RECOMMENDED SCHOLARLY JOURNALS:

1. Journal of Modern African Studies
2. Journal of Asian & African Studies
3. African Studies Review
4. Review of African Political Economy
5. Comparative Politics
6. The Courier

COURSE OUTLINE: (Note that this is a tentative outline subject to change at any time during the semester.)

Sep 4

Introduction to the course

Sep 9&11

General Overview of Africa:
Spatial, Demographic, Cultural, etc.
Gordon & Gordon (Chapters 2,6,8,10,11)
(Richard Olaniyan)

Sep 16&18

Constraints of the African Environment:
Historical & Colonial Legacies
Gordon & Gordon (Chapter 3)

Sep 23&25

The Political Dimension of the SSA Business Environment:
State & Legal Institutions in SSA;
Organization of the Public Arena
Gordon & Gordon (Chapters 4&8)
Jackson and Rosberg (1982)
(Jolayemi Solanke)
{Project Briefings}

Sep 30&0ct 2

The Social Dimension of the SSA Business Environment:
Social/Interest Groupings & the State
Gordon & Gordon (Chapter 4)
(Jolayemi Solanke)
{Project Briefings}

Oct 7

Journal Discussion

Oct 9

The Military Dimension of the SSA Business Environment:
A Praetorian Society?
Tola Adeniran (1985); McGowan and Johnson (1984)
(S.O. Arifalo)

Oct 14&16

The Democratic Dimension of the SSA Business Environment:
Democracy and Human Rights Issues
Claude Ake (1993, 1991); Gray Cowan (1992);
Carol Lancaster (1991-92); Nelson Kasfir (1979)
{Project Briefings}

Oct 21

Midterm Exam

Oct 23&28

The Economic Dimension of the SSA Business Environment:
Overview, trends, dc Sectoral Analysis
Gordon & Gordon (Chapter 5&9)
Amin (1972); Becker (1990)
Case Analysis: Zambia's Agricultural Sector
(Toyin Falola)
{Project Briefings}

Oct 30&Nov 4

The Economic Dimension of the SSA Business Environment:
Strategies for Survival: African/International
Gordon & Gordon (Chapters 5&7)
Derrick (1992); Oyewumi (1992); Rimmer (1990)
Case Analysis: The TechnoServe Case
{Project Briefings}

Nov 6&11

The SSA Business Environment:
Business Cultures, Business Risks, Enterprise, etc.
"Countries in Trouble: Who's on the Skids?"
{Project Briefings)

Nov 13

Journal Discussion

Nov 18-27

Country Focus
South Africa: An Emerging Market?
Gordon & Gordon (Chapter 12)
David Smith

Dec 2-11

Country Focus
Individual Project Presentations:
In Conclusion

Dec 19

Final Exam

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. All class members are expected to contribute in class.

2. Thus, assigned readings are to be completed prior to each class meeting.

3. You are expected to check the reserve desk at the library and ISRC for additional readings; they will be announced in class.

4. Each student will be expected to keep a Journal of current affairs on sub-Saharan Africa. At the discretion of the instructor, you may be requested to submit it at any time during the semester. You are thereby encouraged to be very professional regarding your journal entries. The length and style of the entries are left to the judgement of each student. Journals are due during the week of December 12.

5. In addition, each student will be expected to specialize in a chosen sub-Sahara African country. The purpose is to prepare a "Doing Business in Country X" report, that is, a business profile on your chosen country. Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, l-inch margins, and a 12-inch font size. To be sure, the report must include, but not limited to, the selected country's economic attributes, human & non-human resources, political risk, social/cultural factors, and business opportunities. Other suitable arrangements could be made regarding the project. Be sure to confirm your topic with me no later than September 13. Before submitting the project, you are to make a brief presentation in class. Your conclusions must be thoroughly defended. The timetable for individual presentations will be determined early in the semester. As well, you will be expected throughout the semester to give periodic briefings/contributions in class regarding lecture materials about your selected country.

6. For the journals, individual projects, and other aspects of the course, students are expected to read, on a regular basis, Africa Forum, West Africa, African Business, African Report, New African, Jeune Afrique, BBC Focus on Africa, The Courier, and other relevant periodicals. The Financial Times, the Economist, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, World Press, and the Christian Science Monitor, are also strongly recommended.

7. Class attendance is strongly recommended as chronic absence will adversely affect your course grade. Make-up exams will be allowed only in exceptional cases.

8. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.

BASIS FOR GRADING:

	Midterm	30%
	Final	30%
	Individual Project	20%
	Participation/Journal	20%