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U.S.-African Relations

Sub-Sahara Africa now has fifty-three independent states. The political changes in this part of the African continent are phenomenal. Fifty years ago all but three were colonies of Britain, France, Portugal, or Spain. The three independent states were Liberia, Ethiopia, and South Africa. Several countries, formerly German colonies, werre U.N. trusteeship areas.

Following a brief overview of the developments in Africa, sub-Sahara from the Berlin Conference of 1878 to the commencement of the independence movement  in the 1950s, the focus of the course will be the contemporary political situation, including: (1) the transition from colonial rule to independence; (2) the impact of the Cold War on these countries; (3) the African ideological movement; and (4) the current political situation involving their relationship with the United States.

Semester Available


To be Announced

Part of


  One Area-Study Course (Required)
  Choose Two of the Following Courses
  Choose One of the Following Courses
  Choose One of the Following Courses
  Area-Study Course (select one)
  Choose One of the Following Courses
  Area-Study Course (select one)
  One Area-Study Course (Required)
  Specialization in American Foreign Policy
  Specialization in Comparative Political Culture
  Specialization in Democracy Building
  Specialization in International Politics

Principal Professor


   Thomas P. Melady
Senior Diplomat in Residence; Former Ambassador to Burundi, Uganda, and the Vatican {read more}

FEATURED FACULTY

Walter Jajko

Professor of Defense Studies; DARPA Fellow; Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force (retired)

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Since the end of the Second World War, more than 120 Americans have been arrested and charged with espionage. Two have been executed; several more are serving life sentences without hope of parole.

Through case studies, the class will examine, in detail, the careers of the most damaging of these spies.

Principal Professor

  Brian Kelley

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