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Economic and Development Problems in Africa 2012 Semester 2

This course aims to critically analyze the major developmental issues facing Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on South Africa. Topics include poverty, inequality, education, foreign aid, financial markets, social media, European debt crisis, China's influence, public sector management, and mining. The course uses lectures, readings, case studies, and class discussions to foster critical thinking and learning.

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Economic and Development Problems in Africa 2012 Semester 2

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  1. Economic and Development Problems in Africa 2012Semester 2 Nicholas Spaull & Nico Katzke

  2. A little bit about me… • Nicholas Spaull • I’m a Christian • I love to Travel • Studiedat UKZN / SUN / UCT • Economicsby profession (PhD...) • Educationby passion • Office: Schumann 202 • NicholasSpaull@gmail.com • NicSpaull • nicspaull.wordpress.com ______________________________ Second half of the course: (proper intro in week 8) nicokatzke@sun.ac.za

  3. Admin Course information 3 American credits; 6 ECTS credits Venue: Van der Sterr 1052 (There will be a different venue on the following dates: 3 Sept, 8 Oct, 15 Oct - TBA) Monday 14:00 – 17:00 ___________________________ Evaluation 3x MCQ tests 45% Group assignment 10% Essay: 40% Class participation: 5% There will be no exam. **The above is subject to change

  4. What we want to accomplish in this course The aim of this course is to get you to think critically about some of the major developmental issues facing Sub-Saharan Africa today. Some caveats: • This is not a typical course • Multiple lecturers (incl. guest lecturers) But… • It will be interesting! • You will learn how to think and you will learn about Africa (esp SA). • More specifically…

  5. Johann Fourie Week 2 & 3 – Why is Africa poor? Economic and Development Problems in Africa

  6. Case study – Session 4 (still TBD)

  7. Economic and Development Problems in South Africa and AfricaSession 5– Understanding Foreign Aid

  8. Economic and Development Problems in South Africa and AfricaSession 6– Poverty and Inequality in SA

  9. Economic and Development Problems in South Africa and AfricaSession 7– Education in SA?

  10. Topics to be addressed • Session 8: • Development of financial markets in South Africa • Lecturer: NicoKatzke(Financial Economics lecturer, SU) • Session 9: • The role of Social Media in the development of the state and the economy, through the availability of information and ease of mass-communication • Lecturer: Dirk Bosman(Social media researcher at Kalahari.com)

  11. Topics to be addressed • Session 10: • Impact of the European Debt crisis on Southern African economies • Lecturer: Prof. Rudolf Gous(Chief Economist at Rand Merchant Bank, Director at RMB Holdings) • Session11: • China’s role in the development of markets in Southern Africa • Lecturer: Dr DaoudaCisse (accomplished Research Fellow at the Centre for Chinese Studies-Stellenbosch University)

  12. Topics to be addressed • Session 12: • Developing and managing the public sector in Southern Africa • Lecturer: Prof.EstianCalitz(Former Director-General of Finance to the South African Government) • Session 13: • Mining in South Africa: would the people benefit from a nationalized mining sector? • Lecturer: NicoKatzke (Financial Economics lecturer, SU)

  13. Summary of topics discussed: • Development of financial sectors • Social media • China / Africa relations • Euro Debt crisis impact on Africa • Public economics (the state’s role in development) • Mining and the on-going Nationalization debate Although certain finance / public economics topics will be addressed in this section, you will in no way be disadvantaged if you do not possess a thorough background in these topics!

  14. What do I expect from you?? • To think!!!! • To learn! More specifically… • Attendance! • One essay • One group assignment • {no exam} My marking philosophy… (9-10) inspired, (7-8) clever and interesting, (5-6) meets expectations, (3-4) below expectations, and (0-2) needs serious improvement.

  15. Essay? You will be required to write one essay of approximately 6 pages which will be one of the following topics: • “Weighing the case of aid in Africa: Do the positives outweigh the negatives?” • “The state of education in South Africa – reason for hope or despair?” • “China’s emerging influence in Africa. Poison or Panacea? • “Should South Africa adopt a strategy of investment targeting?” • Research  Draft  Discuss/consult Final

  16. Instructional method? • Lectures • Readings • Podcasts (interviews and videos) • Case studies • Class discussion (!)

  17. Fastest growing cities (Total growth, 2010-15, %) • Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire 43.8 • Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 38.5 • Lilongwe, Malawi 28.9 • Blantyre, Malawi 28.8 • Abuja, Nigeria 28.4 • Huambo, Angola 26.1 • Luanda, Angola 26.0 Lowest GDP per head ($, 2008) • Burundi 140 • Congo-Kinshasa 180 • Liberia 220 • Guinea-Bisau 270 • Malawi 290 • Somalia 300 • Zimbabwe310 • Ethiopia 320 • Eritrea 340 • Sierra Leone 350 Trivia • Longest river? • Biggest desert? • Top 8 countries most economically dependent on agriculture (all African) • Least literate, most AIDS deaths

  18. Questions to consider... • Course resources – DVD + website • Current affairs in SA – stay up to date by reading a local newspaper and watching the news • Academic writing – Referencing is compulsory. • Email addresses…

  19. Questions ???

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