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Academic Year 2000/2001

Advanced Seminar in African History
HIST 316 SP
Clusters:
African Studies
Christian Studies

This advanced seminar considers controversial issues in the history of Africa. The syllabus for the first half of the course will be set by the instructor after determining prospective students' interests during the preregistration period. The readings in the second half will be set by the students in consultation with the professor. Topics might include Bantu speakers' expansion into southern Africa, the assessment of oral traditions, the material basis of African empires, alleged African origins of th e slave trade, the origins of independent African churches, the experiences of women under colonialism, the roots of African poverty, Africans and their ecology, the demographic history of Africa, and the intellectual construction of Africa and of African culture. While the seminar has no rigid prerequisite, the course is designed for students who have taken one course, and preferably more, in African studies (not necessarily African history). Preference will be given to students who have lived or studie d in Africa.

MAJOR READINGS

Readings may include such recent and influential books as: Sanneh, TRANSLATING THE MESSAGE Collins, PROBLEMS IN AFRICAN HISTORY Mudimbe, THE INVENTION OF AFRICA Harms, GAMES AGAINST NATURE Iliffe, THE AFRICAN POOR Comaroff and Comaroff, OF REVELATION AND REVOLUTION Adhiambo and Cohen, SIAYA

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Six two-page papers. One final research paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Attendance required at every session. No late papers. No incompletes. Students who wish to place their name on the course waiting list should drop a note to the professor; they should NOT use e-mail or voice-mail. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS HIST    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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