The course offers an interdisciplinary environment for students to deepen their knowledge of critical issues facing contemporary Africa; the programme focuses on: the nature, dynamics and complexity of the links between peace, conflict, security, development and democratisation in Africa; a comprehensive while critical analysis of cross-cutting thematic issues that affect the African continent such as armed conflict, poverty and underdevelopment, HIV/AIDS, resources and terrorism, as well as a regional and sub-regional engagement on these; an advanced understanding of policies at global and regional levels (humanitarian, developmental, peace and security related) that underlie interventions in Africa and their consequences; in addition, the programme provides the opportunity for students to deepen and broaden their knowledge in the form of optional modules that exist within the Division and the Development Studies Division.