AADS 2455 Identity, Culture, and Conflict Resolution Practices in Africa

The course introduces conflict resolution practices in Africa. It examines the causes of conflicts, the types of disputes, the political economy, the actors, and their relationships to identity and cultural differences. It explores conceptions of identity and cultural differences in Africa, traditional approaches to conflict resolution and modern peace management and resolution techniques, transitional justice, and post-conflict reconstruction. It examines several theories of peace and conflict and case studies from all regions of Africa to develop original insights for the students. Ultimately, students not only understand the causes of conflict and conflict resolution approaches in Africa are not homogenous to all countries but should also explain the conflicts in their way.

Course overview

Department
African and African Diaspora Studies
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Periodically

Requirements fulfilled

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.01 / 5 · Very Good
62 responses
Instructor rating
4.34 / 5 · Very Good
62 responses
Terms evaluated
3
Most recent: Spring 2026

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Spring 2026Mesfin Woldegebriel3.94.34.54.54.24.54.54.41–3 hrs/week26 of 29
Spring 2025Mesfin Woldegebriel4.24.34.44.54.14.54.64.21–3 hrs/week26 of 29
Spring 2024Mesfin Woldegebriel3.94.34.64.54.54.44.34.44–6 hrs/week10 of 12

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Mesfin Woldegebriel
    Spring 2027, Spring 2026, Spring 2025, Spring 2024 · Official rating 4.34/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Spring 2027 · Mesfin Woldegebriel · Campion Hall 300 TuTh 03:00PM-04:15PM · Offered