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Academic Year 2005/2006

Travel Narratives and African History
HIST 103 FA

This freshman seminar examines Arab, European, African, and American travel narratives about various regions of Africa dating back to the fourteenth century. First, while remaining cognizant of the biases of the authors, we will mine travel accounts for descriptions of local contexts. Second, we will explore what travel writing says about the author¿s perception of self, home, and ¿other.¿ Ultimately, we will determine how the image of travel in Africa influences both our perceptions of Africa and the writing of African history.

MAJOR READINGS

Said Hamdun and Noel King, IBN BATUTA IN BLACK AFRICA
Caryl Phillips, THE ATLANTIC SOUND
Isabelle Eberhardt, THE NOMAD: DIARIES OF ISABELLE EBERHARDT
Mary Kingsley, TRAVELS IN WEST AFRICA
Jan Vansina, LIVING WITH AFRICA
Maya Angelou, ALL GOD'S CHILDREN NEED WALKING SHOES
Ama Ata Aidoo, OUR SISTER KILLJOY
Philip Gourevitch, WE WISH TO INFORM YOU THAT TOMORROW WE WILL BE KILLED WITH OUR FAMILIES

Films will include: Out of Africa, Chocolat, Wonders of the African World

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Short papers, midterm, final, group oral presentation

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-30-2006

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