SYLLABUS OF POSTGRADUATECOURSE ON THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF AFRICA

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO

KANO – NIGERIA

M.M. YUSIF

2011/2012 ACADEMIC SESSION

INSTRUCTOR

M.M. YUSIF

mmyusif@yohoo.com

mmyusif07@gmail.com

polbuk@yahoo.com

http://www.mmyusif.blogspot.com

INTRODUCTION

This is the syllabus of the course on the Political Economy of Africa, which is part of the Masters Degree Programme of the Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano – Nigeria during 2011/2012 Academic year. The course is taught during the first semester.

It is intended to expose students for a research work which centers on an analysis of state, society and economy in contemporary Africa.

The issues for treatment are deliberately selected to give a background on the controversy about state theory, perspectives on state – society relations and debates on current topical issues in Africa.

It is expected that the course will be covered in fifteen (15) weeks. Weekly meetings of three hours each will be divided into three track display of ideas: first is 40 minutes of talks or lecture by the course instructor – followed by two working sessions – one is discussion of a selected text relevant on the topic of the week and two, either a discussion of a specific research work or any other programme the lecturer may come up with. There are going to be working groups discussions.

The texts selected for reading are meant to give theoretical and methodological guide to students on analysis of the issues. There are many other materials as literature which have covered the themes, rather narrowly or broadly, or as case studies. Texts on Nigeria are abundant and can be obtained. Students are expected to read widely. Online sources are relevant. Become independent researcher and learner now!

DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE

Globalisation of the World Economy refers to the ability of capital to move freely across national boundaries. As a result of this, the world, especially the African continent, is going through rapid transformation, whose social, political and economic characters posed many critical questions on theory and practice of the state. For instance, if state represents class interest what is the logic of characterizing it weak or strong? Again, if it is said that globalisation has weakened the state, one may ask, is it not the state which has generated globalisation? Or is it globalisation which has necessarily shaped the power of the state? Many similar questions depicting the relation between state and society will be raised.

Yes! The "end of geography" thesis has pushed the idea that globalized form of economic activity has undermined the ability of nation-state to control the national economy. On the other hand, as an expression of class power the state must project the interest of the nation. Other wise wouldn't it be irrelevant?

The central focus of this course, in this academic year is state-society relations in contemporary economy of Africa. The teaching programme is divided into four parts of a single process of development of knowledge. First is conceptualizing political economy of Africa. Secondly, paradigms of state-society relationship. Thirdly, is state theory in Political Economy. The fourth will treat issues in political economy of Africa.

COURSE SYLLABUS

Week 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION:

Introducing the course and what it is about; course requirements; methods for students of political science; contribution of the students on the teaching programme.

Readings

1. M. M. Yusif. Principles of Teaching and Learning in Classes of M. M. Yusif. (online).
   
2. Mauro C. and Rosanna D. "E. Research: An Introduction to Online Political Science for Beginners and Skeptics". IPSR Vol. 28 No. 2.
   
3. Stephen V. F. Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. (Online).
   
4. Margaret Stacey (1977). Methods of Social Research.
   

IN PLACE OF DISCUSSION:

A supervised test to determine capacity of the students on political economy.

Week 2: CONCEPTUALISING POLITICAL ECONOMY OF AFRICA

Readings

1. Caparaso and Levine (1994), Theories of Political Economy. Cambridge, University Press.
   
2. Bruno S. Frey (1978). Modern Political Economy. Western Printing Services, Bristol
   
3. Eskor Toyo (1983), "The return of Political Economy". JPE Vol. 1 No.1.
   
4. James Petras, "Liberal, Structural and Radical Approaches to Political Economy: an assessment and an alternative.
   
5. Antonio Merlo, "Whither Political Economy? Theories, Facts and Issues". (Online).
   
6. Claude A. "The Political Economy Approach". Explanatory Notes on Marxian Theory in Africa.
   
7. Claude A. (1978). A Political Economy of Africa. Heinemann. London.
   
8. Swai B. "Marx, Marxism and the Third World". Conference Paper.
   
9. Swai B. "Observation Regarding Some Recent Trends in African Historiography" Conference Paper.
   
10. Bade O. "Marx, Africa and the World System". Conference Paper.
    
11. Yusufu B. U. "Karl Marx and the Analysis of the Politics of Contemporary Africa. Conference Paper.
    
12. Online, "The Political Economy of Africa in the Global System".
    
13. Paul Collier (2006). International Political Economy: Some African Applications". Online.
    
14. Walter Rodney ( ). How Europe Underdeveloped Africa.
    
15. Ernest Mandel (1962). Marxist Economic Theory. Merlin Press London Chapter 18.
    

    DISCUSSION QUESTION:
    

The Relevance of Marxian Theory in Analysis and Explanations of State and Society in Contemporary Africa

Week 3:
STATE AND SOCIETY: PARADIGMS OF THE RELATIONSHIP

Readings

1. Richard B. (1923) "Liberalism" in Roger E and Anthony W. Contemporary Political Ideologies.
   
2. Beckman, B. (1993). "The Liberation of Civil Society: Neo-Liberal Ideology and Political Theory. ROAPE No. 58.
   
3. Filip D. B. (1998). Democracy and the State – Society Paradigm: Reflections on Adelman's Paper. Online.
   
4. Hamdy A. and Rahman H. (2009) "The State and Civil Society in Africa: North African Perspective". Online.
   
5. Colin Crouch (1979), "The State Capital and Liberal Democracy". In Colin Crouch (ed.) State and Economy in Contemporary Capitalism. Croom Helm London.
   
6. Pierre D. T. (1995). State Building and Democracy in Southern Africa. USIP Washington.
   

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What factors could determine the relationship between state and society?
   
2. What could you say from any African country to show the nature of changing state – society relations.
   

   Week 4: THEORETICAL FOUNDATION: STATE IN MARXIST THEORY – FROM LENIN TO GROMSCI
   

Readings

1. Lenin V. I. State and Revolution
   
2. Marx K. (1977). The Eighteenth Brumaire in of Loius Bonasparte. Progress Publishers Moscow
   
3. Marx, K. (1977). The Class Struggle in France. Progress Publishers Moscow.
   
4. Gramsci, A. (1972). Selections from Prison Notebooks. Lawrence and Wisharl London.
   
5. Carnoy M. (1984). The State and Political Theory. Princeton University Press Now Jersy, Chapters, 2 and 3.
   
6. Andreas B. and Adam D. M. (2003). "Globalisation, the State and Class Struggle: A Critical Economy engagement with Open Marxism". British Journal of Politics and International Relations Vol. 5 No. 4.
   
7. Fred B. (198). "Beyond Relative Autonomy" in Socialist Register.
   
8. Berch B. (1983). "The Class Nature of the State in peripheral formations". JCA Vol. 3 No. 3.
   
9. James Peters (1978). "Aspects of Class formation in the periphery: Power Structures and Strategies. In Critical Perspectives on Imperialism and Social Classes in Third World. Monthly Review Press. New York and London.
   

DISCUSSION QUESTION

1. There are varied perspectives of State: Pluralist; Institutionalist; Historical Humanist and Marxian class Perspectives. Bring out and observe Marx's Class Perspective of State.
   
2. How does Gramscis fits class perspective Approach
   
3. What are the differences if there are between Marx's classical and the Gramscian. Give a basis of these for understanding social change and control in Africa.
   

Week 5:    STATE THEORY: PARADIGM IN CHAOS

Readings

1. Jessop B. (1990). "Putting States in their Place: Once more on Capitalist States and Capitalist Societies". (Online)
   
2. Carnoy M. (1984). The State and Political Theory. Ibid.
   
3. John Holloway and Sol Picciotto (1978). State and Capital. A Marxist Debate. Edward trnold. London.
   
4. Werner B. "The Capitalist State: Illusion and Critique".
   
5. Poulantzas N. (1975). Classes in Contemporary Capitalism. Verso London.
   
6. Poulantzas N. (1968). Political Power and Social Classes. Francois Maspero London.
   
7. Clarks S. (1978). "Capital, Fractions of Capital and the State: Neo-Marxist Analysis of the South African State". In Capital and Class No. 5.
   
8. Davies R. and others (1976). "Class Struggle and the periodisation of the State in South Africa". In ROAPE No. 7.
   
9. Innes D. and Plaut B. (1978). "Class Struggle and the State". In ROAPE No.11
   
10. Kaplan D. (1979). "Relations of Production, Class Struggle and the State, in South Africa in the interwan period". ROAPE Nos. 15/16.
    
11. Othman S. (1984). "Classes, Crises and Coup: the demise of shagari's regime". In African Affairs Vol. 83 No. 333.
    
12. M. M. Yusif (1985). The rise of Industrial Bourgeosie: the 1983 coup and Prospects of Dependents Industrialisation in Nigeria. Proceedings of 1985 NPSA Conference Ilorin.
    
13. M. M. Yusif (1985). "Economic Crisis, Accumulation and Class Confrontation in Nigeria: 1979-1983". (Online).
    
14. Saul J. S. (1981). "The Unsteady State: Uganda, Obote and General Amin. ROAPE No. 5.
    
15. Hamza A. (1979). "The State in Post-Colonial Societies: Pakistan and Bangladesh in Goulbourn H. Politics and State in the Third World. Macmillan London.
    
16. Miliband R. (1973). The State in Capitalist Society. Quartel Books London
    
17. Poulantzas N. and Ralph Miliband "The Problems of the Capitalist State.
    

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. State Theory is in Chaos as Theories of State are also Theories of Politics. Assess any one Theory of State with Reality of Politics in any African Country.
   
2. Examine the relevance of poulantzas – Miliband Controversy on State to any African Society.
   

   Week 6: STATE THEORY IN GLOBALISATION: PARADIGM LOST
   

Readings

1. Alessandro B. and others. "Global Post-Fordism and Concepts of the State.
   
2. William I. R. (1998). "Capitalist Globalisation and the Transnationalisation of the State".
   
3. William I. R. (2000). "Towards a Global Ruling Class? Globalisation and the Transnational Capitalist Class.
   
4. Leslie S. "The Transnational Capitalist Class and the Discourse of Globalisation".
   
5. Jan A. S. (1997). "Global Capitalism and the State". International Affairs Vol. 73 No. 3.
   

DISCUSSION QUESTION

Is a State Located in African Territories Irrelevant in the Logic of Capital in the Era of Neo-Liberal Globalisation?

Working Group Discussion

The Growth/Development of State is Accompanied by Diverse Analysis of New Social Role in the Society. Discuss and Report this Case with Reference to any Society in Africa.

Week 7: AFRICA IN A GLOBALISING ECONOMY: THE ROLE OF STATE

Readings

1. Samir A. (2002). "Africa: Living on the Fringe". Monthly Review Vol. 53 (10)
   
2. No name, "The Political Economy of Africa in the Global System".
   
3. Loxley J. (1987). "The IMF, the World Bank and Sub-Saharan Africa: Policies and Politics". Kjell I. J. The IMF and the World Bank in Africa: Conditionality, Impact and Alternatives.
   
4. Lipietz A. (1984). "How Monetarism has Chocked Third World Industrialisation". New Left Review No. 145.
   
5. Bjoin B. "State and Capitalist Development in Nigeria". ROAPE No. 23
   
6. …………., "Neo-Colonialism, Capitalism and the State in Nigeria".
   
7. Ishrat Hussain and Rashid Faruquee (eds.). Adjustment in Africa: Lessons from Country Case Studies. The World Bank. Washington.
   

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Is it Correct to Say that Globalisation has Made the African State Weak?
   
2. Capital moved to stage final conquest of Africa through structural adjustment programme. Examine the different role of the state on this project.
   
3. The beneficiaries of neo-liberal economic programs are not african communities but rather the thin layer of elites who sponsor such programmes. Do you agree?
   

   Week 8: GLOBALISATION, STATE AND DEMOCRACY DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
   

Readings

1. Alan H. (1980). Marxism and Democracy. Lawrence and Wishart London.
   
2. Barry H. (ed.) (2000). Global Democracy. Key Debates. Routledge. London.
   
3. Svetozar S. (1981). "Marxism and Democracy. The Ruling Class or the Dominant Class? (Online).
   
4. William Z. (2008). "Sub-Saharan Africa: Implosion or Take-off"? (Online).
   
5. Omano E. (2005). A Democratic Developmental State in Africa? A Concept Paper. (Online).
   
6. Richard J. ( ). State, Conflict and Democracy in Africa. Parts I and II
   
7. Michael, B. and Nicolas V. W. (1997). Democratic Experiment in Africa. Cambridge University Press.
   
8. Mamadoes D. (1998). Political Liberalisation or Democratic Transition: African Perspectives Codescia.
   
9. Eshetu, C. and Jibrin, I. (eds.) (1995) Democratisation Processes in Africa: Problems and Prospects. Codesria Book Series.
   
10. Larry D. (1999). Developing Democracy Toward Consolidation – John Hopkins University Press.
    
11. Nnoli O. (2000). "Globalisation and Democracy in Africa". D. W. Nabudere (ed.) Globalisation and the Post-Colonial African State. AAPS Books Zimbabwe.
    
12. Ake C. (2001). Democracy and Development in Africa. Sepctrum Books Ibadan.
    
13. Larry, D. and Mark K. P. (1979). Democratisation in Africa. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore and London.
    
14. Peter, G., Yusuf, B. and Arve, O. (1992). Authoritarianism Democracy and Adjustment: The Politics of Economic Reform in Africa. The SIAS Uppsala Chapters 1 and 2
    
15. Lars Rudebeck (ed.) (1992). When Democracy Makes Sense. AKUT Uppsala.
    

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Neo-Liberal Globalisation has Made Sense in Creating Liberalisation out of Dictatorship but from Democracy Point of View is Nonsense.
   
2. Democracy Manages State Power but Since the Local Power Base in the Era of Globalisation is Weak Democracy too Becomes Weak and Superficial.
   
3. Democracy and Development in Africa? Assess the Relationship.
   
4. Examine the Sense of the Argument that Since the Ruling-Class has Become Transnational the State too is Transnational and Democracy ought to be Global.
   

Week 9: CAPITALISM, STATE AND LABOUR IN AFRICA

Readings

1. Richard Hyman (1975). Industrial Relations: A Marxist Introduction. The Macmillan Press Ltd – London
   
2. Dominie Strinati (1979). "The State and Industrial Relation". Colin Crouch (ed.). The Economy in Contemporary Capitalism Croom Helm London
   
3. Leo-Panitch (1986). Working Class Politics in Crisis: Essays on Labour and the State. Chapters 6 and 7.
   
4. Beckman, B. and Sachikonye L. M. (eds.) (2001) Labour Regime and Liberalisation: The Restructuring of State and Society Relations in Africa. AAPS Books Zimbabwe.
   
5. Yusuf Bangura and Bjorn Beckman (1988) "African Workers and Structural Adjustment: The Nigerian Case". Dharam Ghai (ed.). The IMF and the South: the Social Impact of Crisis and Adjustment.
   
6. Bjorn Beckman, "Trade Unions and Institutional Reform: Nigerian Experiences with South African and Ugandan Comparison".
   
7. Bjorn Beckman. "The Politics of Reform: Responses of African Trade Unions with a South African Case.
   
8. Bjorn Beckman, "African Trade Unions and the Politics of Reform".
   
9. Eskor Toyo. "Deregulation, Collective Bargaining and the Settlement of Industrial Disputes".
   
10. Ismel Akca. "Globalisation, State and Labour: Towards a Social Movement Unionism.
    

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Fordist state in Nigeria became a reality in labour control but post-fordist is as if the concept is a myth.
   
2. Globalisation Restructured Capital-Labour Relations Making the Politics of Labour Simpler to Control.
   
3. Regulation Theory and Labour Relation. Comment.
   

   Week 10: GLOBALISATION THE STATE AND URBAN YOUTH IN AFRICA
   

Readings

1. Richard Sandbrook (1982). The Politics of Basic Needs: Urban Aspects of Assalting Poverty in Africa. Heinemann London.
   
2. M. M. Yusif (2011). The Dilemma of Neo-Liberal Youths in Nigeria: The Post April 16^th Violence. (Online).
   
3. M. M. Yusif (2012). Social Violence Called Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria: Some Thoughts. (Online).
   
4. Mike Davis (2004). "Planet of Slums: Urban Involution and the Informal Proletariat". NLR No. 26.
   
5. Asef Bayat (1997). Uncivil Society: The Politics of the Informal People". Third World Quarterly Vol. 18 No.1.
   
6. Frank Longstreth (1979). "The City, Industry and the State". Colin Crouch (ed.). The Economy in Contemporary Capitalism.
   
7. Kaplan, Robert (1994). "The Coming Anarchy". The Atlantic Monthly No. 273 No.2.
   

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Construct a Model of Understanding the Character of Neo-Liberal Youths.
   
2. The State and the Neo-Liberal Youths are the Strongest Forces in African Cities Today. Analyse their Organisations and Politics in any City of your choice.
   
3. Neo-Liberal Youths Violence is Anti-Politics. Discuss.
   

Week 11: GLOBALISATION, STATE AND CLASSES IN AFRICA

Readings

1. Werner Bonefeld. "Notes on Competition, Capitalist Crisis, and Class" (Online).
   
2. Werner Bonefeld. "Marx Critique of Economics on Lebowitz
   
3. Alejandro Colas. "The Class Politics of Globalisation".
   
4. Harry Cleaver. "The Inversion of Class Perspective in Marxian Theory: From Valorisation to Self-Valorisation".
   
5. William K. Tabb. (2006). "Capital, Class and the State in the Global Political Economy".
   
6. Karl Max (1977). Wage Labour and Capital". Selected Works Vol. 1
   

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Globalisation has raised theorizing about class divisions to global. Is that theorizing a reality? If yes, what is the interface between the local and the global? If not make a concrete analysis of class formation in any African Country.
   
2. How is the local state, inspite of local divisions and differences towards neo-liberal agenda negotiates with global power and imposed the same to the whole society.
   

   Week 12: THE STATE AND NEW SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN AFRICA
   

Readings

1. Cyrus E. Z. "Crossing Frontiers: Theoretical Innovations in the Study of Social Movements IPSR Vol. 29 No.5
   
2. A. G. Frank and M. Fuentes. Nine thesis on Social Movements Internationally.
   

1. Peter Waterman (1991). Social Movement Unionism. A New Model for a new world.
   
2. …………..(1993). Globalisation, Civil Society, Solidarity: The Politics and Ethics of a World both Real and Universal.
   
3. …………..(2001). Labour and Social Movements Confront a Globalised, Informatised, Capitalism.
   
4. HBF. (ND). State and (UN) Civil Society Debate. Lagos.
   
5. Jibrin Ibrahim and Y. Z. Ya'u (2010). The Left and the Human Rights Struggle in Nigeria. Chapters 1, 3, 7, and 8.
   
6. Lloyd Sachikonye (ed.) (1991). Democracy, Civil Society and the State. Social Movements in Southern Africa.
   
7. Monoranja, M. Partha, N. M. and Olle T. (eds.) (1998). Peoples Rights: Social Movements and the State in the Third World. Sage Publications London.
   
8. Mahmood Mamdani and Ernest Wamba dia-Wamba (eds.) (1995). African Studies in Social Movements and Democracy. Codesria Book Series
   

DISCUSSION QUESTION

Literature Review Contains many theories on the subject of study. On the other hand theoretical framework is constructed with many related ideas. Form any Theoretical assumption and use not less than ten different texts to construct a theoretical framework.

Week 13: ALTERNATIVE ECONOMY, STATE AND BEYOND

Readings

1. Andreas Pickel (ND). "Can Keynessianism Save the Neo-Liberal World Order? Trent University, Ontario, Canada.
   
2. Charles Gore (2000). "The Rise and Fall of the Washington Consensus as a Paradigm for developing Countries". World Development Vol. 28 No. 5.
   
3. Nansjorg Hear and Jan Priewe (2005). "Beyond the Washington Consensus: Macro-economic Politics for Development IPS No. 2.
   
4. David Held (2006), Global Covenant: The Social Democratic Alternative to the Washington Consensus. Polity Press Cambridge.
   
5. Christine, B. N. and James, H. M. (2000). "Conceptualising Resistance to Globalisation". Barry, K. G. (ed.) Globalisation and the Politics of Resistance. Palgrave London.
   
6. Alex C. (2006). "Alternatives to Neo-Liberalism".
   
7. David M. K. "Socialism and Global Neo-Liberalism".
   
8. Elma Altvater. "Post Neo-Liberalism or Post-Capitalism? The Failure of Neo-Liberalism in the Financial Market Crisis".
   
9. Learning from Asian Continent on bringing the State Back and from Latin America on Resisting Neo-Liberalism (set of readings will be provided for these).
   

DISCUSSION QUESTION

This week too is abnormal. Each student is expected to make selection of any text on African studies, but of significant theoretical contribution, to review in not more than two (2) pages computer-processed.

Week 14: CONCLUSION: CLOSING UP; DISCUSSION OF CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE INCLUDING CRITICISM – SELF CRITICISM; EATING AND CHATTING;

Additional Readings

*1. Niels S. C. Hahn (2008), "Neo-Liberal Imperialism and Pan African Resistance. Journal of World Systems Research". Vol. XIII No. 2.

*2. Simutary N. "Neo-Liberalism and the Relevance of Marxism to Africa: The Case of Zambia".

*3. Ray Kiely and Phil Marfleet (eds.) (1998). Globalisation and the Third World. Chapter one.

*4. Ash Narain Roy (1999). The Third World in the Age of Globalisation. Zed Books. London and New York. Chapters 5 and 6.

*5.    Joo H. (ND). Globalisation and the Nation-State: Dialectical and Contradictory Internationalisation.

6.    David Fasenfest. "Neo-Liberalism and the Capitalist World Order". (Online).

7.    Joachim Hirsch. "Globalisation and the Question of Democracy (Online).

8.    Christopher P. ( ). "Democracy, Markets and Capital: Are there Necessary Economic Limits to Democracy"? In David Held (ed.). Prospects for Democracy.

*9.    Arne T. T. and Meriken V. (eds.) (2001). Associational Life in African Cities: Popular Responses to the Urban Crisis. Nordiska African Institute.

*10.    Bjorn Beckman, Eva Hansson, Anders Sjogren (2001). Civil Society and Authoritarianism in the Third World. PODSU Stockhom University.

11.    Joe Howell and Jerry Pecrce (2001). Civil Society and Development: A Critical Explanations. Lynne and Rienner. United Kingdom.

12.    John Ehrenberg. "Beyond Civil Society".

13.    Bjorn Beckman. " Interest Groups and the Construction of Democratic Space".

14.    Chris Allen (1997). "Who Needs Civil Society". ROAPE No. 73.

*15.    Claude Ake (2001). Democracy and Development in Africa. Spectrum Books Ibadan.

*16.    Claude Ake (1994). Democratisation of Disempowerment in Africa. CASS Occasional Monograph No. 1.

17.    Chris Harman. "The State and Capitalism Today". (Online).

18.    Ron Tabor. "The Marxist Theory of State (Online).

19.    John Braithwaite (1981). "The Myth of Social Class and Criminality Reconsidered". American Sociological Review Vol. 45 No. 1.

20.    Franz V. (1996). "From Violence to Justice and Security in Cities". Environment and Urbanisation". Vol. 8 No. 1.

21.    Peter Anyang Nyongo (ed.) (1987). Popular Struggles for Democracy in Africa. Zeb Books London and New Jersy.

Requirements

• Readings that are underlined are required texts to be read and reviewed by students for class discussion.
  
• Those marked with star under the additional readings are also important.
  
• Questions that are raised at the end of each topic are guide for study by students. They are also for discussion.
  
• The teaching of the course is by a seminar form. However, the weekly readings of the relevant texts is as important as the final written examination.
  
• Therefore, students are expected to read all assigned materials, attend all classes and participate actively in discussions.
  
• If you are not going to attend any class tell me before the time. But when you return must submit work for that week.
  
• Assessment of students is based on end of Semester examination (60%) and Continues Assessment (40%).
  
• The CA grades:
  
  • Attendance/class work/participation        -    20%
    
  • Course Research Paper                -    10%
    
  • Review of any text on African studies        -    5%
    
  • Working Group Discussion/Literature
    

  Review – Theoretical Framework Nexus    -    5%
  

In order to purify learning and research I have to take strict disciplinary action against any student who is found on plagiarism. In our work we will be analyzing the thoughts, arguments and evidence of others, to reformulate them to develop our own ideas. So, you must not copy or paraphrase some one's work and present it as your own. Don't come across idea of one writer in another text by another writer and claim you got it from the original text. Finally, all texts consulted should be properly acknowledged. These are elements of integrity of a scholar.