Unit name | The Politics of HIV / AIDS in Africa |
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Unit code | POLIM2042 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Payne |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit examines the socio-political impact of the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa and considers the root causes of the epidemic and its continuing proliferation. HIV/AIDS is no longer 'simply' a health or development issue but is instead at the heart of the 'African Crisis'. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has served only to reinforce the outsider view of Africa as a continent rife with pestilence and disease, war and misery. The 'truth', as ever, is more complex. The course aims to highlight the socio-political forces at work that have contributed to the spread of the disease. It will assess both internal (gender inequalities, patriarchy, poverty, poor governance) and external (intellectual property rights, globalisation, skewed donor programmes, low levels of aid) contributing factors. The unit will also consider the views of 'AIDS dissidents' and the validity of such views. Moreover, an attempt will be made to assess which African countries have managed to stay the spread of the disease and what lessons can be learned from such cases.
Aims:
One class presentation (0%), one assessed 3,500 word essay (100%). The class presentation will allow students to engage with an aspect of the course that is of particular interest to them. The aim for the presenter is to stimulate debate, encourage class participation and stress particular themes.
The essay will facilitate additional research, enabling students to indulge their curiosity to a far greater extent. Furthermore, the essay will afford students the opportunity to display the depth and breadth of their comprehension of the major themes of the course.