This volume presents current controversies that surround controversial issues that in occur African societies in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Its intent is to act as a platform for discussions in courses offered in a variety of departments dealing with contemporary African issues, including anthropology, African studies, development studies, economics, geography, history, international studies, political science, and sociology. These topics are framed with a general summary and introduction, and a postscript or challenge questions. This work features an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites and an online instructor's resource guide with testing material available.

UNIT 1. History -- Did the Trans-Atlantic slave trade underdevelop Africa? / Paul E. Lovejoy, John Thornton -- Have the contributions of Africans been recognized for developing new world agriculture? Duncan Clinch Heyward, Judith Carney -- Is European subjugation of Africans ultimately explained by differences in land, plant, and animal resources? / Jared Diamond, Lucy Jarosz -- Did colonialism distort contemporary African development? / Marcus Colchester, Robin M. Grier -- UNIT 2. Development -- Have free-market policies worked for Africa? / Fudzai Pamacheche, Baboucarr Koma, Thandika Mkandawire -- Do cell phones and the Internet foster "leapfrog" development in Africa? / Joseph O. Okpaku Sr., Pádraig Carmody -- Is increasing Chinese investment good for African development? / Barry Sautman, Yan Hairong, Padraig R. Carmody, Francis Y. Owusu -- Does foreign aid undermind development in Africa? / Dambisa Moyo, Apoorva Shah -- UNIT 3. Is climate change a major driver of agricultural shifts in Africa? / Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Ole Mertz, Cheikh Mbow, Anette Reenberg, Awa Diouf -- Is food production in Africa capable of keeping up with population growth? / Michael Mortimore, Mary Tiffen, John Murton -- Does African agriculture need a green revolution? / Kofi A. Annan, Carol B. Thompson -- Is community-based wildlife management a failed approach? / Peter J. Balint, Judith Mashinya, Liz Rihoy, Chaka Chirozva, Simon Anstey -- UNIT 4. Social issues -- Should female genital cutting be accepted as a cultural practice? / Fuambai Ahmadu, Liz Creel -- Are women in a position to challenge male power structures in Africa? / Richard A. Schroeder, Human Rights Watch -- Is the international community focusing on HIV/AIDS treatment at the expense of prevention in Africa? / Andrew Creese, Katherine Floyd, Anita Alban, and Lorna Guinness, Philip J. Hilts -- UNIT 5. Politics, governance, and conflict resolution -- Is multi-party democracy taking hold in Africa? / Michael Bratton, Robert Mattes -- Does increased female participation substantially change African politics? -- Is corruption the result of poor African leadership? / Elizabeth Powley, Carey Leigh Hogg -- Is corruption the result of poor African leadership? / Robert I. Rotberg, Arthur A. Goldsmith -- Are African-led peacekeeping missions more effective than international peacekeeping efforts in Africa? / David C. Gompert, Nsonurua J. Udombana.