Introduction to Topics in History (292-0-20)

Topic

Deaths and Afterlives of Lumumba

Instructors

Sean Allen Hanretta
Harris Hall 310

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L05: Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

201 days after taking office, Patrice Lumumba, Prime Minister of the newly-independent Republic of the Congo, was assassinated with the support of mining interests and the US government. Lumumba quickly became a martyr and hero for many working for the liberation and advancement of African peoples. The course takes Lumumba as a window into the last 100 years of African history, including colonialism, decolonization, the Cold War, neocolonialism, civil and regional wars, the extraction of precious minerals, and the repatriation of art and artifacts. Students explore sources together and collaborate on research, producing one short piece of individual research.

Learning Objectives

The class is designed to help students improve their skills at:
• Distinguishing true and false information
• Constructing evidence-based historical arguments
• Assessing the significance of historical arguments
• Expressing and analyzing historical arguments both orally and in writing
• Mastering a core set of facts that provide the scaffolding for organizing new information
• Designing and carrying out feasible "sandboxed" research, both collaboratively and as individuals
• Exchanging ideas about historical arguments with others in a constructive manner
• Connecting the implications of history to pressing current issues

Evaluation Method

Reading journal (20%), Bi-weekly group research reports (5x5/each=25%), Short paper (10%), Final paper (25%), Participation (20%)

Class Materials (Required)

Materials will be posted on Canvas

Class Notes

Concentrations: Africa/Middle East

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Only History majors and minors can currently enroll in this class.