Approaches to History (393-0-20)

Topic

African History through Literature and Film

Instructors

Sean Hanretta
Harris Hall 310

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L05: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Literary and cinematic works as windows into the history of sub-Saharan Africa. The challenges of using artistic works as historical sources, the politics of storytelling and art, the relationship between cultural and social change, artistic truth vs historical truth. Topics include colonialism, globalization, Apartheid South Africa, urban/popular culture, development, gender/age dynamics, conflict. Short written reflections, oral presentations based on short research, a final creative project.

Learning Objectives

Grasp the significance of several key transformations in modern Africa. Contextualize historical events with reference to economic, political, social, cultural, and intellectual conditions. Think carefully about different ways of representing the past, their rules, their strengths, and their weaknesses. Understand the use of historical sources for argument and evidence. Write clearly and effectively in an argumentative form drawing on explicit, reliable evidence. Discuss complex topics in a collegial and precise manner.

Evaluation Method

Short written reflections. Oral presentations based on short research. Final creative project. Class participation.

Class Notes

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

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration is restricted to History Majors and Minors only until the end of pre-registration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites (if any)