Department of African Studies

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Introduction

The area studies programme  on Africa was established  in 1971-72 by the University Grants Commission as part of its efforts to develop Area Studies Programme at the Indian University level. The main thrust of the centre is  research though it conducts postgraduate teaching . Centre offers to the aspiring students  full eight papers M.A. degree in African Studies, along with combination degree  with other social science disciplines. The centre has a young faculty devoted to research in their respective disciplines  and respective areas . Besides post-graduate courses,  Centre enrolls students for Doctoral Research leading to Ph.D. degree in African Studies at Mumbai University .

The Centre for African studies is today one of the premier Area Studies Centre in India doing research and teaching in African Studies. Initially it was established to research problems of Anglophone east Africa and was appropriately named centre for East African studies. The UGC in 1990's allowed it to expand the scope of its research and teaching to cover entire African continent. Today, Centre's faculty covers within the scope of its teaching and research, developments throughout the African Continent. The Centre is financed by the UGC, which provides grants every five years on the basis of Centre's performance. The UGC has provided  faculty positions and grants for the enhancement of academic activities and  create and maintain infrastructural facilities for teaching and research. The Mumbai University provides a grant to the Centre in annual budget for the petty expenses.

The Centre for African Studies is housed in Ranade Bhavan located at Vidyanagari Campus of University of Mumbai . The Campus is located near Kalina, Santacruz (East), and is accessible both from western and central railways. The  Campus offers facilities for research opportunities for an all round development of student personality.

The Centre has multi-disciplinary faculty though the thrust of its teaching is inter-disciplinary in nature. The Centre has over the years successfully undertaken several projects on Africa from governmental and non-governmental agencies, conducted seminars/conference/workshops .Faculty of the Centre contributes papers on African problems to national and international seminars/conference/

The Centre's faculty has published (during the last more than 35 years) several hundred research articles in professional journals published at national and international level. Individual faculty members have been invited to deliver lecture  and  to refresher and orientation courses for university and college teachers, participate in conferences / seminars held by the departments of different Indian Universities. The proceedings of the seminars / conferences held by the Centre and the project reports have been published. The Centre has over the last thirty five years published eighteen  books and held equal number of national / international conferences/seminars and local workshops.

The Centre has a documentation unit. It provides documentation services to  the faculty and researchers. It  receives on complimentary / exchange basis books / documents / reports from academic institutions and international organisations from outside the country. The centre has entered into Exchange and Cooperation agreements with academic institutions from South Africa and Russia .

The University’sJawaharlal Nehru Library is located in the Campus. It has collected large number of books and volumes on Africa and receives more than dozen journals on a regular basis on Africa . The collection at the Jawaharlal Nehru Library has been built up from the UGC grants provided to the Centre. The library provides  reading research facilities for the scholars desirous of specializing on Africa .

As part of its research activity, the Centre regularly holds seminars / conferences /workshop on problems faced by the African countries. These provide a forum of interaction between academics and business people doing research and trade with Africa and related areas. The Centre invites academics from African continent to participate in the seminars / conferences. The main purpose of having a Centre like this is to provide forum for nurturing mutual understanding, cooperation and friendship between people of India and Africa .

The Centre became a  Department of the  University in 1984. Since then it has published its own Newsletter, called 'African Currents'. The Newsletter is published bi-annually and contains research articles written by the Centre's faculty, bibliographies prepared by the Documentation Unit and detailed information on Centre's academic activities. Also contained in the Newsletter are the texts of lectures delivered by visitors at the Centre, and solicitated articles from eminent Africanist. The 'African Currents' is a vital link for establishing wider communication with the like minded academics and institutes both within India and abroad including the African continent. Centre has also published the result of faculty research in form of Occasional Papers since 1970-71.F orty two occasional papers have been published by the centre durlng last thirty five years.

The Centre aims in widening its academic linkages in future. A beginning has been made in this regard by entering into exchange and cooperation agreements with several academic institutions in South Africa , Scandinavian countries, USA , U.K. It receives publication of Economic Commission of Africa, Organisation of African Unity and United Nations bodies.

At the local level Centre has built a successful relationship with trading and business houses which have constantly supported Center's academic endeavors through their participation and financial support  in seminars organized by the Centre. Centre has held workshops for local business and trading hours on business opportunities offered by African continent and probed changing parameters of India’s relation with Africa by holding seminar on newly emerging areas of interest such Indian ocean and Indian diaspora.

Centre's academic work received recognition from Indian Society for African Studies, New Delhi, which in 1996 selected the centre from among the several Indian Academic institutions, Governmental and Non-governmental and others for having contributed to greater awareness of problems faced by countries of African Continent and presented it with An Award  Honour of Excellence.

Courses Offered

The Centre since 1971-72 has been conducting research and teaching on African politics, history, economics, sociology and geography. With the increasing globalization and interdependence the Centre is planning to include aspects of science and technology, culture, society, religion and philosophy, in its research thrust and formulate courses of study covering theses aspects. The relation between India and various African countries have been the focus of Center's attention. This has enabled the faculty to have an understanding of African countries and form academic / intellectual opinion on problems faced by India and Africa provide inputs to the governmental policy formulation and its implementation in relation with concerned countries.

M.A. PROGRAMME

The teaching programme for M.A. degree at post-graduate level began in 1986, after the Centre had attained full Departmental status within the University set-up. A total of 8 papers in African Studies for M.A. degree are offered to the students admitted to African Studies. A Student of African Studies at Masters level has to select four out of 8 papers offered by the Centre and the other four are offered by relevant social science disciplines from 2001 centre has been permitted to offer full of paper course in M.A in African studies.The M.A. courses are periodically revised so as to make them relevant in the changing global environment .The Centre has been able to attain modest number of students to join M.A. courses during the last twelve years.

Ph.D. PROGRAMME

Students are admitted to the Ph.D. course in accordance with the University regulations. A student who has completed M.A. in African Studies is normally registered for the Ph.D. course. However, those having interest in African Studies but not having post graduate degree in African Studies are also considered for admission to Ph.D. course. The Centre has produced nine doctorates so far. At present the Centre has nearly a six students working for the doctoral degree in African Studies. Mumbai University has awarded Ph.D. degrees in African Studies on following topics:

Faculty

Syllabus

M.A (by papers)

I. Environment and Human Geography of Africa .

II. State Formation and Nation Building in Africa

III. African Economics : Problems and Prospects

IV. Africa in World Affairs.

V. Foreign Trade, Investment and Industrialization in Africa .

VI. Government and Politics in Independent Africa .

VII. Africa-India and Indian Ocean Region.

VIII. History of Africa 1885-1965.


Paper - I. Environment and Human Geography of Africa :

Physical structure and configuration (surface)-evolution of structure and relief-coastline and landscape-effects of climatic changes-win systems-man's response to climate.
Ecology-vegetation-tropical forests-soils of Africa-famine, posts and diseases Human responses to the use and misuse of environment in Africa .
Demographic and social aspects-population settlements-spatial distribution-migration-urbanisation and towns-societies of Africa -their characterstics-ethnic structures-races and tribes.
Partition and emergence of nation states in Africa-geographical boundaries and territorial disputes-geo-strategic and geo-political significance of East Africa . Natural resources and economic development -agriculture-mineral and hydraulic resources-industrial location and development-transportation and infrastructure-regional co-operation and utilisation of resources-role of technological change in resource utilisation.
Note : Wherever appropriate, the topics will be studies with reference to Sub-Saharan African Countries.

Paper II State Formation and Nation Building in Africa :
Tribe, Nation and State.

1. Comparative Conceptual Paradigme African and European.

2. Indigenous African Political System.

3. Cosmological and Religious Concepts in African Society.

Arrival of Europeans

1. Scramble and Partition of Africa .

2. Spheres of Influence, Protectorates Concepts.

3. Colonial Systems and Administration Impact, African Response.

4. Impact of Christianity and Islam.

Consolidation of Colonial Rule.

1. League of Nations and Consolidation of Colonial Model.

2. Development of representative Institutions.

3. Contributions of Europeans and Asians to African Development.

4. Emergence of Independent South African State .

Nation Building in Africa .

1. Concepts and Issues.

2. Factor of African Nationalism.

3. Proto-State and Colonial Development.

4. Principle of Trusteeship.

Problems and Prospects of State and Nation-Building in the Post Independent Period.

1. Bureaucracy.

2. Role of Education, language and communication.

3. Leadership and Political Parties.

4. Population, Poverty, Agriculture, Industry, Trade Commerce and Debt.

5. Democracy, consciencism and Praoterinism.

Nation State Building in Post Cold War Period.

1. Legitimacy of Colonial Nation-State model.

2. Problems of QuasiStates Conflicts and Cooperation.

3. Underdevelopment Dependency and neo-colonial linkages.

4. African Unity and Cooperation in Changing Global Conditions.

Paper - III African Economics : Problems and Prospects

Structural Aspects of African Economics : The Impact of Traditional Inheritance, Economic Geography and International Economy.
Demography and Environment : The Impact of Africa 's Population Profile on Development : Rural-Urban Interface: Conflict Situation and the Refugee Conundrum.
Industry and Entrepreneurship : Problems of Industrialization Role of Research, Training in Development.
Mobilization of Resources : Trade Aid and Investment Policies : Regional Trade Prospects.
Planning and Liberalization.
Economic and Social Infrastructure.
Financial-Infrastructure: Banks, Capital Markets.
Debt and Development Strategies.

a. IMF/WB

b. UN Economic Commission for Africa and OAU

Structural Adjustment in Africa .

Colonisation of Africa

a. Explorations

b. European Power rivalries and scramble for Africa .

c. Comparative paradigms of colonial trollies and their impact on Africa .

Factors Affecting Anti-Colonial Movement During the Inter War Period

a. League of Nations and the Mandate System.

b. Birth and spread of Pan-African Movement.

c. Russian Revolution and Africa .

d. Doctrine of White Supremacy.

Factor Influencing Anti-Colonial Movement in the Post War Period

a. United Nations and the Trusteeship System.

b. Manchestor Pan-African Congress of 1945.

c. Cold War and problems of decolonisation ( Suez , Algerian and south African crisis).

d. Policies of Great Britain , France , USA and Soviet Union .

e. Concepts of Power, Eurafrica, Neo-colonialism Third World Unity and Revival of Pan-Africanism.

f. Apartheid, and development of the racist state.

g. Development of Power Groupings in Africa ( Casablanca , Brazzaville and Monrovio Powers).

African States in Post Independence Period

a. Birth of CAU and Regional Unity.

b. UN and Africa Cooperation in economic and political spehres.

c. NAM , NIEO, G-77 and Africa .

d. Issues of neo-colonialism, dependency and intra-regional conflicts.

End of Cold War and Impact on Africa .

a. Reduction in cold war related conflicts.

b. Regional cooperation and African Economic Community.

c. Issues of democracy and free market.

Paper - V Foreign Trade, Investment and Industrialization in Africa

International Trade and Economic Growth: Theories and Empirical evidence.
Problems of adjustment mechanism and financial flows : An inter-national perspective. Issues of trade, technology, environment and labour.
Restraint, co-operation and conditionality in African trade policy.
The International trade agenda and African response : Issues and options.
African International Economic Relations since independence

a. Resources

b. Dependency and unequal exchange.

c. Linkages with metropolitan economies.

d. Oil and debit crisis.

Intra-African Trade aid internal capital movements : Case Studies.
Transitional / Multinational corporations and industrialization in Africa .

a. TNL / MNL objectives.

b. Technology, capital transfer as an agent of industrilaization.

Issues trade liberalization, growth and development.

N.B. : Wherever required appropriate reference to country case studies from Sub-Saharan African continent be given.
Paper - VI Government and politics in Independent Africa

Politics and Ethnicity in Africa

a. Tribal Identity
b. Religion
c. Language

Nationalism and National Liberation Movement.

a. Colonial Policy
b. Representative Institution
c. Nationalism and Liberation Movement.

Transfer of Power and Democratic Constitutional Framework.

a. Legislative
b. Executive
c. Judiciary

Ideology and Political Parties in Post Independence Period.

a. Liberal Multiparty System.
b. One Party Rule
c. African Socialism
d. African elites

Public Administration.

a. Political Recruitment
b. Bureaucracy
c. Decentralization

Military and Dictatorship in African Polity.
Conflict and Cooperation in post independence

a. Domestic and border violence
b. Apartheid, Racialism and neo-colonialism.
c. Regional Cooperation.

Political Pluralism.

a. State Performance and Disenhancement
b. Globalisation and interdependence
c. Multi-party System.

Paper - VII Africa-India and Indian Ocean Region
Geo-political importance of Indian Ocean Region.
Early trading and commercial contacts.
Arrival of Europeans and its Impact on the IOR.
Issues of Colonisation, racialism and Imperialism.
Post-war period and IOR.

a. Emergence of nation-states.
b. Issues development, pluralism, racialism, neo-colonialism.

India 's Africa policy in post independence period.

a. Political.
b. Economic Issues.
c. Role of Nonalignment.

Globalisation, Interdependence and IOR.

a. Establishment of Regional Organisations.
SADC, PTA, EAC, IOC, SAARC
b. Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC).
c. Issues of trade, production and cooperation.

Paper - VIII History of Africa (1885 to 1965)
Colonisation of Africa

a. Scramble for Africa and partition.
b. African response.

Patterns of Colonial Administration.

a. Colonial policies and development.
b. European and African Settlement in Eastern and Southern Africa .

First World War, Colonies and International Accountability.

a. Establishment of League of Nations .
b. Mandatory System.

Africa during Inter-war period.

a. Pan-Africanism and Communism.
b. Rise of Fascism and Nazism.

World War II and its Impact.

a. Establishment of United Nations and Principle of trusteeship.
b. Development of NAtional Liberation Movements.

Decolonisation of Africa .

a. Transfer of Power.
b. Conflict and Cooperation.

India-Africa Relations.

a. Trading contacts and indentured labour.
b. Voluntary immigration and Asian settlement.
c. Racial friction and its impact.
d. Role of Asian immigrants in African national development.

DOCTORAL DISSERTATION         

PH. D. DISSERTATIONS FOR WHICH DEGREE HAS BEEN AWARDED

1. Role of Small Enterprise in Industrial Development of East Africa : A Study of Integrated Approach

2. Egypt 's Foreign Policy with Particular Reference to Intra-African Disputes during Nasser Period:
1952-70

3. India 's Relations with Kenya - 1947-1977

4. The Role of Financial Institutions in Promoting India-Africa Production Cooperation

5. Goa-Mozambique Relations: 1498-1910

6. Parliament in Kenya : 1963-1975

7. Impact of International Sanctions on the South African Economy

8. Dismantling Apartheid and its Impact on Southern African Security Environment

9. American Diplomacy in North Africa with Special Reference to Libya : 1969-1995


PH. D. DISSERTATIONS IN PROGRESS

1. United States Foreign Policy towards Africa: A Case Study of Somalia

2. Debt Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa with Special Reference to Sudan-Kenya Tensions

3. Macro Economic Management and the Parallel Market in Sudan

4. United Nations and Peacekeeping Efforts in Africa with Special Reference to Congo and Somalia

DOCUMENTATION UNIT

Documentation Officer-1 Vacant

Documentation Officer Assistant-1 Vacant

Fellowship

The UGC has provided Research Fellowships to the Centre for recruiting students for Ph.D. degree. We have at present one Sr. Research Fellow working for Ph.D. degree.

The UGC provides research positions in the form of Research Associates to the Centre from time to time. The Centre recruits Research Associates in accordance with the UGC terms and conditions. Research Associateship is given to a person who has attained Doctoral degree in African Studies and is interested in doing further research in the area. Research Associateships have helped the Centre in attracting candidates with requisite qualification who on attaining research experience in African Studies could become eligible to apply for faculty positions.

Help Desk

Centre for African Studies
Ranade Bhavan
University of Mumbai
Vidyanagari Campus
Mumbai - 400 098
Tel : 022+ 6526091 (extn) 329
022+ 6526388 (extn) 330, 427
Fax : 022+ 6526893
E-mail : director@cas.mu.ac.in