Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - IS 323 D100

Sub-Saharan Africa: Key Issues and Understandings (4)

Class Number: 8102

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Wed, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Instructor:

    Amyn Sajoo

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Survey course of major contemporary issues relevant to people's lives in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as major debates about these. Study of the historic, economic, political, social and cultural factors contributing to contemporary realities and perspectives. Relevant for students with little to significant familiarity with life in Africa.

COURSE DETAILS:

MODERN EAST AFRICA: Cosmopolitan Pasts, Nationalist Modernities

From the Horn of Africa south through the Swahili coast to Mozambique, and as far inland as the Great Lakes, East Africa is a vast expanse. Our focus will be on the histories of people living in what are today Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — states influenced by ideas, technologies, and societies of other parts of Africa, the Middle East, India, China, and the West. How did East Africans negotiate their relations with near & distant others in matters of commerce (foods, technologies, luxuries, slaves) and religion (Christianity, Islam, Traditional Faiths) in the pre- modern period? How did region’s diverse peoples draw on old & new identities in encounters with European imperialism? In examining the emergence of modern statehood and postcolonial governance, we consider the roles of ethnic and civic nationalisms, to the end of the 20th century. The unfolding of nationalist narratives is richly complicated by differences of class, region, and gender — often best captured in civil society’s literary and artistic expression. We will explore these themes not only through primary documents and texts, but also through film, novels, poetry and contemporary news stories.

***** Students who’ve taken HIST 344 cannot take IS 323 (Fall 2018 version specifically) for further credit. *****

Grading

  • Analytical Reports 30%
  • Class Presentation & Contribution 30%
  • Final Paper 40%

NOTES:

Active participation in class is expected, with attendance in all sessions.  Weekly readings for class discussion/presentation will be assigned on the basis of working groups formed at the outset.  Two short reports on selected readings are required, and a final essay (3000 words).

Students will be required to submit their written assignments to Turnitin.com in order to receive credit for the assignments and for the course.

The School for International Studies strictly enforces the University's policies regarding plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. Information about these policies can be found at: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

REQUIREMENTS:

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Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  • Global Africa: Into the 21 st Century, ed. D. Hodgson & J. Byfield University of California Press, 2017. ISBN 9780520287365.

  • African History: A Very Short Introduction. J. Parker & R. Rathbone. Oxford, 2007. ISBN: 9780192802484.

  • East Africa: An Introductory History. Robert Maxon. 3rd ed. West Virginia University Press. 2009. ISBN 9781933202464.

  • African History in Documents: Eastern African History. Robert Collins. Markus Weiner, 1990. ISBN 1558760165.

    Further readings will be noted in class, posted on the Canvas course-site.

     

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS