Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introductory survey of colonization, of social, political and environmental change under colonial rule, and of the stormy history of state-society relations in Africa since independence. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Modern Africa: A History of Development from Abolition to Zuma  

In this class we will explore African experiences in modern history, across the continent and reaching out to diasporan communities where appropriate. Thematically we will explore the concept of “development” and trace it’s evolution over the past two centuries. Temporally, we will cover the period from the time of slave emancipation through to the present day, focusing on colonial and independent African states in global context. Students will be introduced to diverse topics in later African history and development, including: abolition and its consequences for Africans; European exploration, partition and colonial rule; African response and resistance to colonialism; Pan‐Africanism; and African nationalist and independence movements. We will place into context the challenges faced by independent African states, such as democracy, human rights, health crises, the environment, corruption, and conflict, and problematize development narratives and practices aimed at addressing these problems. We will draw information from a textbook as well as primary and secondary historical sources, African literature, films and current news sources to gain multiple perspectives on Africa’s recent history.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: