History of International Relations in Africa 2104-M-D3HSMA-SRG

1. Colonialism in Africa
2. Processes of decolonization - factors of change
3. Pan-Africanism and its role.
4. Colonial conflicts - Algeria, Rhodesia, Namibia, Western Sahara, Portuguese colonies.
5. The origin of the OAU and its importance.
6. The role of the African Union for regional cooperation (goals, principles, mechanisms of action).
7. Cold War in Africa - rivalry between great powers, neocolonialism.
8. The border problem in Africa - border conflicts (Ethiopia-Eritrea).
9. Separatisms in Africa - Biafra, Katanga, Eritrea, South Sudan
10. Ethnic Contradictions in Africa.
11 Internal and international aspects of the fight against the apartheid system in South Africa.
12. Problems of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Africa.
13. Post-Cold War changes in Africa.
14. The idea of economic integration in Africa.

Estimated student workload (2.0 ECTS = 50 hours of work):
Contact hours: Attendance at seminars in the lecture theatre – 30 hours.
Independent study: Studying the recommended reading and preparing for classes – 12 hours.
Independent study: Preparing a written assessment (a historical and analytical essay) – 8 hours.
TOTAL STUDENT WORKLOAD: 50 hours.

Term 2026Z:

1. Colonialism in Africa
2. Decolonisation processes – factors driving change
3. Pan-Africanism and its role.
4. Colonial conflicts – Algeria, Rhodesia, Namibia, Western Sahara, the Portuguese colonies.
5. The founding of the OJA and its significance.
6. The role of the African Union in regional cooperation (objectives, principles, mechanisms of operation).
7. The Cold War in Africa – rivalry between the great powers, neo-colonialism.
8. The issue of borders in Africa – border conflicts (Ethiopia–Eritrea).
9. Separatist movements in Africa – Biafra, Katanga, Eritrea, South Sudan
10. Ethnic conflicts in Africa.
11. Domestic and international aspects of the struggle against the apartheid system in South Africa.
12. Issues of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Africa.
13. Post-Cold War transformations in Africa.
14. The idea of economic integration in Africa.

Estimated student workload (2.0 ECTS = 50 hours of work):
Contact hours: Participation in seminars in the lecture theatre – 30 hours.
Independent study: Studying the recommended reading and preparing for classes – 12 hours.
Independent study: Preparing a written assessment (a historical and analytical essay) – 8 hours.
TOTAL STUDENT WORKLOAD: 50 hours.

Course coordinators

Wiesław Lizak
Michał Nadziak
Anna Wróbel

Type of course

obligatory courses

Prerequisites (description)

Students enrolling on the course should have a well-structured knowledge of general history, the history of international relations and political geography, with particular emphasis on global processes in the 19th and 20th centuries. They should possess well-developed skills in the critical analysis and interpretation of historical sources, diplomatic documents and academic texts. The ability to independently construct written analytical arguments and to present a coherent case in academic debate is also required.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge (K):
K_W03 / S2_W04: Reconstructs, in depth, the history of the development of diplomatic relations, state structures and the evolution of regional systems on the African continent.
K_W05 / S2_W01: Explains, in depth, the historical background to the dilemmas of modern civilisation, including the mechanisms, causes and dynamics of past border, ethnic and resource conflicts in Africa.

Skills (U):
K_U01 / S2_U02: Applies historical and factual knowledge to conduct an in-depth analysis of the origins, course and long-term consequences of specific political processes and international crises in Africa.
K_U03 / S2_U03: Selects and applies appropriate research methods from the political sciences to critically evaluate and interpret historical diplomatic documents and international treaties.

Social competences (K):
K_K01 / S2_K01: Demonstrates a willingness to critically evaluate their own knowledge and the historical content they encounter, counteracting Eurocentric simplifications in the analysis of international relations in Africa.
K_K04 / S2_K04: Independently plans their own development and takes responsibility for upholding the highest standards of professional ethics and respect for intellectual property in the texts they produce.

Assessment criteria

Formal requirements for passing the course (requirements necessary to pass): Attendance: Students are required to participate actively in seminars. A maximum of 2 absences is permitted per semester. Exceeding this limit requires students to make up for the missed sessions by attending the lecturer’s office hours.
Coursework: The final mark is based on the submission of an independent, written piece of coursework (a historical-analytical essay) of 8–10 typed pages, devoted to a detailed analysis of a selected diplomatic crisis, conflict or integration process in the history of Africa.

Assessment criteria for the final assignment:
Formal correctness, structure of the argument, selection and critical evaluation of sources: 30 per cent.
Substantive quality, ability to conduct in-depth historical analysis and synthesise processes: 50 per cent.
Linguistic correctness, style and precision in the use of academic terminology: 20 per cent.

Rules for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools: [2]In accordance with Resolution No. 29/2025 of the Teaching Council of the Faculty of History, Political Science and Sociology, dated 7 May 2025, Level 3 of the AI usage scale applies to this course: AI-assisted editing. Students may use AI tools exclusively at the stage of editing the final text in order to improve the clarity, grammar and style of their own argument. The use of AI to generate historical facts, bibliographies, structure or the paper itself is not permitted. Students must submit a mandatory declaration regarding the extent of AI use and attach the original version of the text (without AI intervention) as an appendix.

Practical placement

Not applicable.

Bibliography

1. A. Bartnicki (red.), Zarys dziejów Afryki i Azji. 1869-1996, Warszawa 1996
2. P. Curtin, S. Feierman, L. Thompson, J. Vansina, Historia Afryki, Gdańsk 2003
3. M.F. Gawrycki, W. Lizak (red.), Kuba i Afryka. Sojusz dla rewolucji, Warszawa 2006
4. E. J. Jaremczuk, Konflikt kongijski, Toruń 2006
5. B. Kaczyński, Organizacja Jedności Afrykańskiej. Charakter i działalność, Warszawa 1976
6. R. Kłosowicz, Konteksty dysfunkcyjności państw Afryki Subsaharyjskiej, Kraków 2017.
7. J. Krasuski, Wspólnota Francuska w Afryce. Communaute, Poznań 1983
8. J. Kukułka, Historia współczesna stosunków międzynarodowych. 1945-2000, Warszawa 2000
9. W. Lizak, Afryka a globalizacja - przypadek marginalizacji, w: E. Haliżak, R. Kuźniar, J. Symonides (red.), Globalizacja a stosunki międzynarodowe, Bydgoszcz-Warszawa 2004
10. W. Lizak, Afrykańskie instytucje bezpieczeństwa, Warszawa 2012
11. T. Łętocha, Granice i spory terytorialne w Afryce, Warszawa 1973
12. M. Malinowski, Cień Marsa nad Czarnym Lądem, Warszawa 1986,
13. M. Malinowski, Ideologie afrykańskie, Wrocław 1986, s. 26-52
14. J. Mantel-Niećko, M. Ząbek (red.), Róg Afryki. Historia i współczesność, Warszawa 1999
15. J. J. Milewski, W. Lizak (red.), Stosunki międzynarodowe w Afryce, Warszawa 2002,
16. R. Oliver, A. Atmore, Dzieje Afryki po 1800 roku, Warszawa 2007
17. S. Parzymies, Spór wokół Sahary Zachodniej, „Sprawy Międzynarodowe 1976, nr 3
18. M. W. Solarz, Republika Południowej Afryki. Trwałość czy zmierzch potęgi w regionie, Warszawa 1999
19. D. Fayolin, Afryka to nie państwo. Pora przełamać stereotypy, Kraków 2024
20. Z. Badawi, Afrykańska historia Afryki. Od narodzin człowieka do niepodległych państw, Kraków 2025
21. M. Meredith, Historia wspólczesnej Afryki. Pół wieku niepodległości, Warszawa 2011
22. B. Davidson, Społeczna i politycznahistoria Afryki w XX wieku, Warszawa 2011
23. B. Sidi Diallo, Afrykański regionalny system bezpieczeństwa zbiorowego w świetle prawa międzynarodowego, Poznań 2018
24. A. Polus, Afryka Subsaharyjska w stosunkach międzynarodowych, Warszawa 2025
25. Seria "Forum Politologiczne", Olsztyn 204-2022 - further volumes devoted to African issues
26 "Politeja", Vol. 22 No. 2(96/1) (2025) - a volume devoted to African issues