Modern Africa (255-3-20)
Instructors
Sean Allen Hanretta
Harris Hall 310
Meeting Info
University Hall 121: Mon, Wed, Fri 4:00PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
African history from the mid-1800s to 2000. African responses to European conquest and colonial rule; impact of colonial rule on African societies, economies, and intellectual life. Nationalism, decolonization, and neo-colonialism. Emergence of new forms of cultural, religious, and social life during the 20th century. An active learning approach focusing on techniques for interpreting historical evidence including texts, music, film, painting and sculpture, and literature.
Learning Objectives
• Describe key historical transformations in twentieth-century Africa.
• Identify key features of European colonial (settler and non-settler) rule. Conceptualize the relationships among economic, political, social, and intellectual change (including religion, gender, and sexuality); the effects of colonialism and geopolitics on these.
• Understand the options available to people during colonialism and how they responded to it. Identify the foundations of resistance to colonialism in its global context.
• Discern the accomplishments of independence movements, assess neocolonialism and the effects of the Cold War. Identify the roots of radical optimism in the 1960s, Africa's role in promoting the global civil rights movement and the Non-Aligned Movement, and the "democratization" movement after the Cold War.
• Assess secondary sources for argument and evidence. Interpret primary historical sources including documents and other materials.
• Write clearly and effectively in an argumentative form drawing on explicit, reliable evidence.
• Discuss complex topics in a collegial and precise manner.
Evaluation Method
Tentative: Geography quiz (5%), Reading journal (25%), Midterm exam (20%), Timeline project (30%), Participation (20%)
Class Materials (Required)
Materials will be available on Canvas
Class Notes
Concentration: Africa/Middle East
Class Attributes
Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Associated Classes
DIS - University Hall 318: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM
DIS - Harris Hall L05: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM
DIS - Harris Hall L05: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM