The recent flare-up of fighting in Sudan is one of several conflicts troubling modern Africa. Examine the geography, resources, pre-colonial governance, colonial rule, and independence struggles that shape the current problems, and opportunities, that Africa manifests. We will analyze and assess America’s neglect and re-discovery, China’s resource opportunism, Russia’s spoiling infiltrations, and lingering British, French and Spanish interventions. We will investigate how African leaders pursue their aims and actions in this shifting geopolitical arena as well. The first session will be devoted to continental history and to sub-Saharan Africa where most resources are contested, and the second to north Africa where most geopolitical rivalries are played out.