Seminar on Urban Africa (DHP-P276M)

Spring 2026 · DHP P276M · Tufts University · 1.5 credits · Undergraduate

The city is often used as “a device to read social change” and this seminar draws on urban scholarship and writing to explore African challenges, opportunities and contributions. There are many ways to approach the study of African cities, and this course is my personal take, as both an African and an American, a transnational who visits the continent regularly for work, play and family, and as a researcher, scholar and recent author of a book about African cities. We focus on topics I believe are crucial to our planet today: the environment, migration, economic life, governance, public health and political action. Each week we focus on a specific issue, using one or two cities as case studies, and invite guest speakers from those cities. Students are encouraged to become familiar with at least one city, to study and write about it, possibly plan to visit it, and to engage with someone living in that city. Course readings draw on African scholars and writers as much as possible, from both the humanities and social sciences.

Course codes: DHP-P276M

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