HIS254 - HISTORY OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:
A survey of the social
institutions, value systems and political
organization of Sub-Saharan Africa since the 16th century but with particular
emphasis on the 19th
and 20th centuries. This course satisfies the Cross-Cultural Requirement for
the U.K. University
Studies Program because it emphasizes how non-Western civilizations (in this
case, those in Sub-
Saharan Africa) reflect values and systems of thought which depart from our
traditional ways of
thinking.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- express a basic knowledge of African history from Iron Age to the
present;
- use analytical skills in reading, listening, observing, writing and
speaking about Africa and Africans in order to demonstrate an understanding
of the various ways historians ask and answer questions about the past; and
- demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for African perspectives
on contemporary issues.
COURSE OUTLINE:
UNIT I. An Introduction: African Values and Ancient Kingdoms (to c1600)
Topics:
- Internal networks of African civilization: family, ancestors,
governments
- Iron Age: Expansion of Bantu speaking farmers; Trans-Saharan trade and the
Western kingdoms; and international trade on the East coast
- Islam: the Sudanic states and Eastern Africa vs.
Central/Southern
-
Cross-Cultural Questions to Explore:
- Was Africa the cradle of humanity? of civilization? Was ancient Egypt
more a part of Middle Eastern (and thereby Greco-Roman) heritage or was
it a part of African history? How was Islam conducive to the rise of vast,
multi-ethnic African politics (compared to Christian feudal kingdoms in
Europe)?
UNIT II. From the Age of Global Mercantilism to Capitalism
(c1600-1800)
Topics:
- Atlantic and Indian Oceans slave trade systems
- Change in Saharan trade routes allows for vulnerability to European
conquest in W. Africa: case studies of Kongo, Dahomey, and the Asante
- Southern Africa, Khoisan resistance to Boer expansion, and developments
in the southern interior
-
Cross-Cultural Questions to Explore:
- How did this new form of European contact change African values and
priorities? What "rights" do human beings have? Can the ideas of the
Enlightenment and the principles espoused in the American and French
Revolutions be transplanted to Africa and African peoples? Why don't Newton's
Natural Laws and Voltaire's deism, emphasizing human control over one's own
destiny, fit in African culture?
UNIT III. The Colonial Era (1800-1960)
Topics:
- Role of Islamic jihads in western Sudan and European abolitionism in
changing economic and social foci of western Africa; state building
and destruction in central & southern Africa's ivory and slave trade
- Christian missionaries and explorers as agents of European imperialism
- European "Scramble for Africa", colonial conquest and African resistance
- Industrialization and consolidation of White Rule
- African diaspora, end of European colonialism, and new voices to be
heard
-
Cross-Cultural Questions to Explore:
- Why are land ownership and profit the driving forces in modern
imperialism, and what relationship do these Western principles have to African
values? What aspects of African heritage helped protect Africans against
slavery as well as other forms of exploitation by colonial powers? Is
racism universal?
UNIT IV. Independent Africa (1960-present)
Topics:
- The winning of political vs. economic independence ("neo-colonialism")
- Role of "terrorism," "tribalism," and African socialism: a case study
- Pan-Africanism, Organization of African Unity, and United
Nations
-
Cross-Cultural Questions to Explore:
- What was the role of the individual/hero in ancient Africa, and should we
judge today's African leaders by their own traditional standards or
by modern American standards? How has African culture influenced Western
culture?
Example Writing Assignment: AFRICAN NATION CASE STUDY
Nation Case Study Team Presentation (75 pts): Once you have completed
your Opposing Viewpoints Roundtable summary oral presentation, you
should start research on a particular Sub-Saharan African nation (of your
choice, but OK it with me first). Start with the Global Studies text (on
reserve) and LCC reference books (we have lots of them on Africa, including
historical dictionaries on quite a few individual nations). Then use
the Internet (see HIS254 Forum Manual). Reserve a time for your team to give
a class presentation (10-15 minutes) on March 19th, 21st or 26th.
Your team presentation will be graded on clarity (judged by use of
introduction, conclusion and identifiable progression of logical points) and
creative use of audio-visual media. Be sure to
- highlight two or three key problems this country faces (development
issues, human rights, health/welfare programs, etc.); and
- identify key factors (personalities, achievements, previous political
decisions, etc.) that can be seen as actual or potential forces that
might solve some of these problems.
Nation Case Study Proposal (25 pts): This is a pass/fail writing
assignment of one or two paragraphs in which you explain what you propose
to study as you explore the thesis statement of your Opposing Viewpoints
section in the context of your team's nation. You should append an
annotated bibliography of at least 3 outside resources (not including general
texts such as reference books or the Global Studies text) to show me
that you have begun your research on the topic. The quality of your resources
is important: see your Opposing Viewpoints textbook on how to
choose the best sources for research on Africa. This assignment is due no
later than Friday, March 29th -- you can put it into my mailbox in
MB226.
Nation Case Study Paper (200 pts): Due on the last day of classes
(4/26), this 5-7 page typed essay should agree or disagree with the
thesis statement of your Opposing Viewpoints section by examining the most
up-to-date information about your team's African nation. Be sure to
include references to at least one other (opposing) viewpoint. This paper
will be graded on the quality of your resources as well as how
convincingly you defend your thesis.
HIS254 NATION CASE STUDY GRADING SHEET
- Thesis statement clearly stated & logically supported by up-to-date info
about nation under study.
- At least 1 other viewpoint discussed.
- Resources show diversity & quality of research.