Document Type

Syllabus

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Course Description

This course introduces students to the history of the African continent from the 1880s (the eve of colonial rule) to the late twentieth century. The central themes the course considers include the European scramble for Africa and the African responses; Colonial rule, economic policies, and colonial health policies; the development of African nationalism; colonial legacies and the struggle to achieve justice, freedom, economic opportunities, and democracy; and the challenges of postcolonial Africa. The first section of the course focuses on the European conquest of Africa and the effects of colonial rule on African politics, economies, cultures, and communities. The second section looks at the rise of African nationalism and the methods liberation movements used to fight colonial rule. The third section examines the challenges of postcolonial Africa - economic, social, and political challenges. The course will provide students with a historical framework for analyzing and assessing the legacies of colonialism to help them critically think about the postcolonial challenges African countries face today.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • Understand Africa's colonial and postcolonial histories in the 19th and 20th centuries.
  • Comprehend African history from the African perspective.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use primary and secondary sources to learn about and understand African colonial and postcolonial histories.
  • Think critically by analyzing and interpreting competing claims and conflicting interpretations of the African past.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how colonial structures and processes affect the lives and opportunities of individuals and groups in Africa and the African diaspora.
  • To continue to develop strong writing, analytical, and communication skills.

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