Joint section African Studies A2 and Africa in the 2000s spring 2026
A female mayor in a rural municipality in Mali. More info here. Photo: Bintou Koné.
Welcome to the course
Africa in the 2000s 7,5hp!
The course "Africa in the 2000s" is run as part of the second module of the full semester course in African studies and as a freestanding course. During this course you will have a unique opportunity to get knowledge of, and deeper insights into, contemporary theoretical perspectives on the African continent as well as African political, economic and cultural contexts. The course, in particular, focuses on question of neocolonialism, globalization, modernity and democracy. Read course plan here.
You can find the detailed schedule for the second module (7.5hp) here. Note that minor changes, for example in the reading list of later lectures, can still occur.
You will find all the information you need on the Lecture/Seminar page ( room, timetable, literature, etc.). This page is updated regularly. To access it --> Modules --> Lecture/Seminar or here.
The teachers
The teachers are researchers with long first-hand experience of researching and working in African countries and/or with African issues. This course is being offered by researchers affiliated with different departments at Uppsala University, with the Forum for Africa Studies (an inter-disciplinary centre whose purpose is to support research on, in, and with Africa at Uppsala University - see also the events organized by the Forum and follow its Facebook page to get updated information); and with the Nordic Africa Institute (a Swedish public agency, funded by several Nordic governments, whose mission is to function as a knowledge hub for collaborative research, library services and communication, and to support a deeper understanding of contemporary African perspectives, challenges and opportunities).
The teaching is composed of lectures, seminars, group discussions, study visits and possibly round-tables and/or other public events.
We expect you to be actively engaged in the course. This is key for the learning process, and it makes the course more lively and interactive. Seminars are compulsory.
Presentations (power-point, etc.) can be used for learning purposes, but should not be spread beyond the class-room, be it virtual or physical.
The course is examined through home exams, that is, you should write essay answers to a number of questions by drawing on the literature and the lectures and seminars.
Main teacher
Prof. Sten Hagberg
sten.hagberg@antro.uu.se
Guest lecturers
Guest lecturers Sverker Finnström, Rosa De Jorio, Jecinta Okumu, and Asma Ben Hadj Hassen
If you have questions about the course administration contact: Angelika Holm.
Course start
The course starts on Monday 23 February, 10:15-12:00, Ihresalen 21-0011, Engelska Parken, Thunbergsvägen 3H, with a course introduction, followed by a first thematic lecture. It is very important that you attend the course introduction. But prior to that, please take some time to explore this virtual study site. We will update more and more the coming weeks.
Don't forget to register yourself on the course
To start the course, you need to be registered. Go to Ladok for students to register. It is not enough that you are only admitted to the course. On the page Admissions and registration there are instructions on how you do this. The registration period is open December 11 2025 through February 15 2026.
Study Support
If you need special support in your studies, you need to obtain a certificate to receive it, a so-called NAIS certificate. You can read more and apply for support on our student page Study Support. If you have questions, contact Uppsala University’s coordinators for targeted study support. Apply as early as possible after you have registered on the course. That way you will get help the fastest.
Welcome and good luck!
Sten