Africa since 1800

History 108
Winter 2014
Professor Brian J. Peterson
petersob@union.edu
Office 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 postcolonial 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%
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 Womans Jihad: Nana Asmau,
scholar and scribe
Wole Soyinka, Of Africa
Week 1. Jan. 7&9
Tu. Introductions
Th. Precolonial African Societies
Week 2. Jan. 14&16. Slavery and slave trade
Tu. Nexus: Slave trade
Th. No readings
Week 3. Jan. 21&23. Islam in Africa
Tu. B. Mack and J. Boyd, One Womans Jihad, pp. 1-45
Th. Mack and Boyd, One Womans Jihad, pp. 46-91
Week 4. Jan. 28&30. Imperial expansion
Tu. Achebe, Things fall apart, Ch. 1-13
Th. Achebe, Things fall apart, Ch. 14-19
Week 5. Feb. 4&6. Colonial conquest
Tu. Achebe, Things fall apart, Ch. 20-25
Tu. No readings
Week 6. Feb. 11&13. Colonialism
Tu. Mid-term
Th. Colonialism
Week 7. Feb. 18&20. Colonialism and African Society
Tu. B. Emecheta, Joys of Motherhood, First half
Th. Emecheta, Joys of Motherhood, second half
Week 8. Feb. 25&27. Nationalism and decolonization
Tu. Nexus: TBA. Film: The Rise of Nationalism
Th. Nexus: TBA.

Week 9. March 4&6. Independent Africa

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