Africa since 1800History 108Winter 2014Professor Brian J. Petersonpetersob@union.eduOffice hours: Wednesday 2-4 (or appointment)

This course is a survey of the African continent from 1800 to present. In this course, we will examine the political, social, economic and cultural changes in Africa during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Focus will be on key themes that span much of African history during this period including: slavery and abolition, European conquest and African resistance, the expansion of world religions (Islam and Christianity) in Africa, colonialism, the growth of nationalism, decolonization and the emergence of independent post-colonial states, and the challenges facing contemporary African states related to political instability and economic development. Given the enormous breadth and diversity of Africa, this course explores these themes by focusing on certain case study regions and countries, such as francophone West Africa, Nigeria, the Congo region (Zaire), the East African coast and Arabic-speaking North Africa. The course will examine five principle questions:

What were society, economics and politics in Africa like before the European conquest?

Why did Africans lose control over their lands following the wars of conquest?

What impact did European colonialism have on Africa? How were Africans able to shake off European rule following

World War Two? Why has Independence proved to be such a disappointment for

Africans?

By the end of this course, it is expected that students will be able to identify the main themes in African history since 1800. They will be able compare and contrast such important historical developments as slavery and colonialism in different geographical regions. Finally, they will be familiar with many of the historical figures and events over the past two hundred years in African history.

Course requirements:

1) Midterm exam: 30% 2) Fifteen-minute presentation of key points from readings during

discussion (one turn each student) and a five-page critical response to the readings 20%

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3) Final exam: 35%4) Participation (active engagement in discussion, contributing by

asking questions, offering thoughts on subject matter, etc): 15%

Course readings: Chinua Achebe, Things fall apart Buchi Emecheta, The Joys of motherhood Beverly Mack and Jean Boyd, One Woman’s Jihad: Nana Asma’u,

scholar and scribe Wole Soyinka, Of Africa

Week 1. Jan. 7&9Tu. Introductions Th. Precolonial African Societies

Week 2. Jan. 14&16. Slavery and slave tradeTu. Nexus: “Slave trade”Th. No readings

Week 3. Jan. 21&23. Islam in AfricaTu. B. Mack and J. Boyd, One Woman’s Jihad, pp. 1-45Th. Mack and Boyd, One Woman’s Jihad, pp. 46-91

Week 4. Jan. 28&30. Imperial expansionTu. Achebe, Things fall apart, Ch. 1-13Th. Achebe, Things fall apart, Ch. 14-19

Week 5. Feb. 4&6. Colonial conquestTu. Achebe, Things fall apart, Ch. 20-25 Tu. No readings

Week 6. Feb. 11&13. ColonialismTu. Mid-termTh. Colonialism

Week 7. Feb. 18&20. Colonialism and African SocietyTu. B. Emecheta, Joys of Motherhood, First halfTh. Emecheta, Joys of Motherhood, second half

Week 8. Feb. 25&27. Nationalism and decolonizationTu. Nexus: TBA. Film: The Rise of NationalismTh. Nexus: TBA.

Week 9. March 4&6. Independent AfricaTu. Wole Soyinka, Of Africa (TBA)Tu. Wole Soyinka, Of Africa (TBA)

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Week 10. March 11&13. Contemporary AfricaTu. Wole Soyinka, Of Africa (TBA) Th. Wole Soyinka, Of Africa (TBA)

FINAL EXAM (TBA)

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