HIST 2706A: Ancient and Pre-colonial Africa
Fall 2023
Instructor: Mohamed Ali
Course Description and Objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce the beginning student of African history to the peoples, cultures and civilizations of Africa from the earliest times up until 1800. The course will examine a wide range of social and cultural as well as technological and economic changes in Africa before the impact of major outside contacts and influences. An in-depth discussion is given to Africa and the evolution of humankind, the development of agriculture and the spread of pastoralism, culture and technologies in Africa. The rise and fall of African ancient kingdoms, African peoples and their links with the outside World, the spread of Islam and Christianity, and Africa in the era of slave trade. The approach is consistently Africanist, emphasizing African initiatives during the pre-colonial eras as well as the ways in which Africans have responded to extraneous developments like Islam, Christianity and the Atlantic slave trade. The course intends to provide students with an understanding of African historiography and the ability to conduct scholarly research.
Readings and lectures provide both general contexts and particular historical circumstances, making it possible for students to analyze and synthesize their thoughts about changing socio-cultural traditions and political economies throughout historical Africa.
Learning Objectives
- Students will be introduced to the different methodologies and forms of evidence utilized by historians of pre-colonial Africa, including Archeology, oral traditions, historical linguistics and written sources.
- Using primary and secondary sources to learn about and understand African history.
- Provide students with the analytical tools necessary to understand a range of pre-colonial African societies.
The Structure of the Course
The class discussions will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions about parts of the readings, and lectures that either confuse or inspire your interest. These discussions are also an occasion for you to offer your criticisms of material in the lecture and the readings.
Films and Videos will be used whenever appropriate to provide you with images of Africa. The environment, peoples and the works they are left behind. African technological and social cultural practices of today often provide insights on the past forms such practices took.
Required Text
Kevin Shillington, History of Africa (Fourth Edition)
Esperanza Brizuela-Garcia /Trevor R. Getz, African Histories: New Sources and New Techniques for studying African Pasts
Grading Method
Your grade in this class will be computed in the following manner:
Map exercises 10% of the final grade
Research topic/book report 0% of the final grade
Mid-Term 35% of the final grade
Final exam 45% of the final grade