1 GRADUATE COUNCIL MEETING 9 May 2012 102 Kern Graduate ...

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PROGRAM PROPOSAL
The graduate program in Political Science proposes to adopt the new Dual-Title Ph.D. Degree
program in African Studies.
The program will not duplicate any other degree program at University Park or at Penn State’s
commonwealth campuses. The program will also not impact directly on any other department or
program, except for the two proposing units (graduate program in Political Science and the
African Studies Program).
This proposal contains the following information, consistent with the review and approval
process of the Graduate Council.
• A listing of courses that are appropriate for African Studies.
• Requirements for the candidacy and comprehensive exams.
• Composition of comprehensive examination committee.
• Composition of doctoral committee.
• The administrative process by which students will be admitted to the Dual-Title Doctoral
Degree Program in Political Science and African Studies.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of the proposed Political Science and African Studies Dual-Title Doctoral
Degree Program are to:
• enrich the curriculum and training of Political Science doctoral students by offering a
systematic and integrated cluster of courses on African political, socioeconomic and
environmental change;
• use the research projects and institutional networks of core and affiliate African Studies
faculty to provide research opportunities and linkages in Africa for Political Science
doctoral students; and
• produce Political Science doctoral graduates, who have a comparative advantage for
African Studies-related employment in academia, bilateral and multilateral agencies and
international think-tanks.
JUSTIFICATION STATEMENT
The African continent is an increasingly important actor in the global geopolitics of the twentyfirst
century. Many countries on the continent are major energy centers and leading producers of
mineral resources, which are critical to the stability of the current international economic system.
In addition to its historical role as a source of raw materials, Africa has become a growing
market for manufactured goods from northern countries and an attractive destination for foreign
direct investment from all over the world. These fundamental structural attributes have made
twenty-first century Africa an important arena over which the European Union, the US, China