FORMATION OF MODERN AFRICA

 

Professor: Scott Rosenberg                                                               HIST 172

Hollenbeck 305                                                                                     MWF 1:50-2:50

Phone: 7846

Email: srosenberg@wittenberg.edu

Office hours: MWF 10-12, 3-4 and TTH 12-1

 

COURSE AIMS

                This course provides a survey of the main trends in regional African history from about 1500 to 1950. It also provides perspectives on the common experiences and ideas, which linked more and more peoples of the Continent by the twentieth century. You should expect to learn the main historical themes of Africa's development. The goal of this class is to expose students to various aspects and themes of African history. Thus, several different topics will be explored which illustrate the roles of Africans and outsiders in shaping the Continent. Emphasis will be placed upon how African political and social structures responded to the penetration of outsiders from Europe (first slave traders, and later missionaries and colonial administrators/settlers) and the Middle East (with attention given to the role of Islam) into the continent. The last part of the class will focus on how African’s struggled for their independence, and how these movements helped shape the face of Post-Colonial Africa. One of the goals of this class is to provide students with the knowledge to shatter the myths and stereotypes, which surround Africa.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS

                Achebe, Chinua.  Things Fall Apart

                Balewa. Shahu Umar

                Emecheta, Buchi. Joys of Motherhood

                Ngugi wa Thiongo, Matigari

                Nthunya, Sing Away the Hunger

                Paton, Alan. Cry the Beloved Country

               

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

Discussion will play a major part in this class, it is my hope to devote most Fridays (or some Mondays) to discussion of both lecture material and readings. Class participation is not restricted to discussion days and you are encouraged to raise questions at any time. In order to help prompt you to participate, class participation will count for 1/6 of your grade, so do not discount its importance.

 

All papers should be typed and double-spaced.

 

There will be three papers (3-4 pages. Each is 1/6 of your grade) based upon your reading, of the three, you must do 2. 

 

There will be a take-home mid-term (4-5 pages, 1/6 of your grade)

 

Your Final exam (also take-home) will be based on the last two books as well as class notes, will be 6-8 pages, and will count for 2/6 of your grade.

 

RULES

Late papers or exams without an approved excuse will be marked down 1/3rd of a grade for each class period that the work is late.

 

Secondly, any form of plagiarism or cheating is unacceptable (see student handbook). This will be discussed on the first day. I reserve the right to exercise the maximum penalty.

 

More than 3 unexcused absences will result in a lowering of your grade.

 

SECTION ONE: THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE, WEST AFRICA-1500-1800. (WEEKS 1-4)

 

European Arrival

Racism and the Birth of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Kingdoms and the Slave Trade: The Political and Economic Modes of Slavery. Why Did These Kingdoms Participate in the Trade?

 

Films: Roots and Amistad Jan 21st

Readings:  The Atlantic Slave Trade (handout; 65-100) Jan.24th

 

 

 

North Africa, Islam, and the Trans-Saharan Slave Trade.

Shahu Umar (Feb.6th)

 

Paper #1 on Shahu Umar, The Atlantic Slave Trade and two films is due Feb. 6th

 

SECTION TWO: SOUTHERN AFRICA: EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT AND AFRICAN RESPONSES. (WEEK 5)

 

Southern Africa, 1500-1800: Dutch and British settlers and

African Kingdoms: The Formation of New Identities, Zulu and Basotho.

 

 

Midterm Exam Due Feb. 25th

 

SECTION THREE: NEW INFLUENCES: ISLAM AND COLONIALISM. (WEEKS 6-8)

 

West Africa in the Nineteenth Century: New Economic and Cultural Influences, Legitimate Trade and Islam.

Political, Cultural, Economic, and Philosophical Motivations Behind The Scramble for Africa, European Partition and the Establishment of Colonial Rule, 1884-1914.

 

Readings: Things Fall Apart (March 515h)

 

Paper #2 on Things Fall Apart due on March. 5th.

 

 

 

SECTION FOUR: COLONIAL RULE AND AFRICAN RESPONSES (WEEKS 9-10)

Colonial Rule 1914 to 1945, Cultural, Economic, Social, and Political Changes.

 

 "The Undermining of African Societies, and the Emergence of a New African Elite," and the Emergence of Settler States. African Responses to Colonial Rule: Passive Resistance and Co-operation

 

Readings:Joys of Motherhood (March 26th) and Cry the Beloved Country (April 5th)

 

Paper#3 on the Joys of Motherhood and Cry the Beloved Country due on April 12th

 

 

 

SECTION FIVE: THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE (WEEKS 11-13)

The Beginnings of Nationalism in West Africa. The Winds of Change: Pan-Africanism and the Impact of World War Two.

 

The Winds of Change: Kwame Nkrumah, and the Move Towards Independence. Ghana, Nigeria, and the French Community.

 

The violent struggle for independence in Kenya, Congo, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique and South Africa.

 

 

SECTION SIX: AFRICA IN THE POST-COLONIAL ERA: THE COLONIAL LEGACY (WEEKS 14-16)

 

Readings: Matigari (April 26th) and Sing Away the Hunger (May 3rd)

 

 

*Take Home Final Exam/paper using Sing Away the Hunger, Matigari and class material due during exam week.