The Future of Africa

This four-session seminar offers a broad examination of Africa’s present and invaluable insights into the forces shaping Africa’s future. The first class examines demographics and population trends, highlighting key shifts and challenges. The second covers the dynamics and complexities of African climates and weather. The third focuses on Africa’s abundant natural resources—minerals, fuels and other riches—and the paradox of wealth amid widespread poverty. The final class addresses Africa’s security and stability issues, including struggles for democracy, terrorism and the challenges of failed states.

Richard Lobban, Ph.D., professor emeritus of anthropology and African studies at Rhode Island College, serves as adjunct professor of African studies at the Naval War College. He has a master’s degree from Temple University and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and has taught at the American University in Cairo, Tufts University and Dartmouth College, among others. He has conducted field research in Tunis and Egypt and has been excavating a temple in Sudan for 10 years. Richard is widely published in urban and complex societies, informal sector economy, gender, ethnicity, race and class, especially in the Middle East. He often serves as a subject matter expert and court-appointed expert witness in political asylum cases for refugees from Africa and the Middle East.