African country research paper

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Summer 2020

AFR 110N Sec. 101, Dr. Govere

Country Project Step 1: Colonial History and Current Political Context

Country Project Step 1 Rubric

Main Tasks Components of the Tasks Total

points 1. Basic

information

about your

country of study

What is the name of the country you are researching? What

was its name prior to colonial rule? (I point)

What is the capital city of the country being researched?

Did the capital city change its name after colonial rule? (I

point)

What is the geographical location (latitude and longitude,

and topography (e.g., tropical, desert, savanna, mountainous

or a combination)? (I point)

3

2. Colonial

history of your

country of study

Which European colonial power ruled this territory and

when? (I point)

What was the nature and type of colonial rule in the country

you are researching? (I point)

How did colonial occupation impact the following?

o local political structures;(3 points)

o social and cultural institutions (e.g., land ownership,

marriage, inheritance, gender relations, etc.); (3

points)

o traditional religions and/or spiritual practices; (3

points)

o the economy (3 points)

What were the two major events during colonial occupation

that catalyzed the process of independence? (3 points)

When (the date) did the country gain independence? Who

became the leader of the country at independence? How is

independence celebrated in contemporary society? (3

points)

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3. Current

political context What type of political system was introduced immediately

after independence, and what changes were made in the

TWO decades AFTER independence? (3 points)

Explain how the politics of the country have changed over

the last twenty years. (3 points)

Who is the present leader of your assigned country? (1

point)

What is the current political system in place? Name the

main political parties. (3 points)

When were the last elections held, and what was the

outcome, that is, which political party gained power and

which political party ceded power (if relevant)? (2 points)

How did the contending parties, the populace, the media,

and election observers react to the election results? (2

points)

When is the next election scheduled to be held? (I point)

Assess the state of the political system and the role of the

media in the country you are researching. (3 points)

What is the current relationship between the U.S. and your

assigned country? (2 points)

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4. Conclusion Using all the data you have collected and the analyses you

have conducted pertaining to the above questions, write a

conclusion addressing how the current political context in

your country of study has not only been influenced by

colonial rule but also by African regional political

developments and the international political context. (3

points)

3

5. Other

requirements

Referencing: Evidential Proof of sources used: Paper

should be supported by evidence and quotations from

sources. At least three sources with APA citation at the

bottom of the report, Variation in selection of sources

necessary (2 points). Full points for accurate use of APA

in-text and reference list)

Organization of text: Well organized, detailed, and

logical/cohesive arguments addressing relevant issues. (2

points)

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