90450 - CHINA IN AFRICA

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

Con un approccio interdisciplinare che unisce gli studi sulle migrazioni e sul lavoro, il corso si propone di esplorare il tema della presenza cinese in Africa e della presenza africana in Cina. Alla fine del corso lo studente sarà in grado di capire e analizzare criticamente le diverse strategie e le diverse forme di agency africana e cinese. Gli studenti apprenderanno inoltre come analizzare criticamente materiali visuali.

Contenuti

Chinese in Africa and Africans in China 

The relationship between China and African countries is at the center of heated debates, with Chinese investments, infrastructure construction, loans, job creation and resource appropriation in Africa often presented in binary terms: Either China is portrayed as a predator and the new imperialist power in Africa, or it is celebrated as a friend offering "win-win cooperation" to its African counterpart. This takes place against a global backdrop where scholars and pundits alike are increasingly forced to take a stand, as non-partisan analysis is in vertical decline and views on China have rapidly polarized.

Using images and video, the course will offer a nuanced discussion of the many facets of the Chinese presence in Africa. At the same time, the course will examine the actions of African states and the agency of African elites and populations in relation to Chinese presence and activism on the continent.

The Chinese presence in Africa will not be analyzed in isolation, but will be discussed within the framework of the "Global China" phenomenon, which is visible in China's increasing outward flows of investment, loans, migrants, infrastructure, media, and international engagement.

The course also offers an introduction to visual sociology as a tool that will enable students to develop sociological interpretations of the visual materials proposed by the instructor.


TOPICS

1. VISUAL SOCIOLOGY: CHINA IN AFRICA

2.RACIALIZATION AND INTERSECTIONALITY IN AFRICA-CHINA ENCOUNTERS

3. GLOBAL CHINA IN AFRICA

4. CHINESE SOFT POWER, PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA

5. CHINESE AND AFRICAN WORKERS IN AFRICA

6. THE GOLD RUSH IN GHANA

7. CHINA AS A MODEL FOR AFRICA

8. THE AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

9. SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND THE REPRODUCTION OF DEPENDENCY

10. AFRICANS IN CHINA

GUEST LECTURERS

Cai Chen, Universite' libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

Costanza Franceschini, University of Leiden, The Netherlands

Mariasole Pepa, University of Padua, Italy

Andrea Pollio, University of Turin, Italy and University of Cape Town, South Africa

   

Testi/Bibliografia

There are no textbooks assigned for this course. Readings are book chapters and (e-)journal articles. These can be accessed directly with username and password from Virtuale

Metodi didattici

 Lectures, student presentations, group discussions, documentaries and films.
Students are expected to prepare assigned readings in advance. Participation is expected and will be rewarded.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

Students attending class are expected to:

1. Make presentations to the class and stimulate class discussion on one or more papers included in the reading list and other papers agreed upon with the instructor;

2. Complete each week's readings in advance of class. Attendance, participation, and level of engagement with the readings are critical to the quality of the experience and student success in the course. Student initiative in articulating themes, connecting different texts and visual materials, proposing video clips or other visual products related to the course theme will be positively evaluated.

3. Write a final essay (2500-3000 words, including references) on one of the topics discussed in class, as agreed upon with the instructor. A topic not included in the reading list - and the relevant bibliography - can be agreed with the instructor.

Grading Criteria

1. Active participation in class discussions 35%.

2. Individual or group presentations 35%.

3. Final paper 30%.

To pass the course, you must pass ALL exams.

To have the final grade registered, students should register on the official exam dates in the Almaesami website (https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm).

Students must attend at least 75% of the classes.

More about the FINAL ESSAY: The essay should be in MS Word (.docx). Please make sure that you send the essay as a .doc/.docx, NOT as a .pdf document.

References should be listed in the text, e.g. (Ceccagno 2022), not in the footnotes. All references mentioned in the Reference List are cited in the text, and vice versa.

A signed statement of independence and use of AI should be included at the end of the essay.

Essays that do not meet these criteria will be returned and must be resubmitted.

Final essays should be submitted for grading at least 15 days prior to the official exam date(s). An essay is considered submitted when the student receives the instructor's email confirming receipt.

The assessment will take into account:
> Correct knowledge of the topics

> Ability to critically analyze and connect concepts, images, and issues

> Competence in using appropriate terminology

 

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: we suggest that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and your professor immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams. Any requests for accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the lecturer and copying (Cc) the email address [disabilita@unibo.it](mailto:disabilita@unibo.it) (in case of disability) or [dsa@unibo.it](mailto:dsa@unibo.it) (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

In-person lectures. Three guest lecturers have been invited this year, and others may be invited. An extensive bibliography will also be made available for those who wish to study the subject in depth. The readings will be supplemented by films and videos.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Antonella Ceccagno