New Lectures in History (300-0-22)

Topic

Muslims and Christians in African History

Instructors

Sean Hanretta
Harris Hall 310

Meeting Info

University Hall 121: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

The ways people in various parts of Africa drew on and contributed to the range of ideas, practices, and skills associated with Christianity and Islam. The changing ways and meanings of being Muslim and Christian. The place of religion in the broader social, intellectual, and cultural forces of the last 2000 years of African history. Focus on daily life, philosophy, politics, art, including museum visit.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the various ways Africa has been and continues to be central to the global phenomena of Christianity and Islam alike.
• Identify the ways in which religions, seemingly abstract sets of beliefs and practices, can be thought of as sets of practical resources drawn on to make decisions and produce meaning.
• Understand that both people's sense of what those resources are and how they use them change across time and place.
• Use primary historical sources to gain insight into meaning and practice.
• Identify and assess the way others use historical sources in making their arguments.
• Build their own arguments using primary and secondary historical evidence and engage productively with other students' arguments.
• Understand the affects of Generative AI and other algorithms on bias in historical and social scientific data.

Evaluation Method

Comparative textbook/GenAI bias assessment (are textbooks or AIs more "biased" in the ways they represent the history of Christianity and Islam in Africa?); Public facing research assignment (improving public-facing information on the topic); Mid-term exam; Small group work in lecture meetings; Participation and activities in discussion sections

Class Notes

History Major Concentration(s): Africa/Middle East
History Minor Concentration(s): Africa

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - Harris Hall L04: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - University Hall 312: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - University Hall 218: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM