West African History in Film

Catalog description

West Africa is a vibrant, diverse, and rich region, which has had the largest influence demographically, culturally, socially, and linguistically on the Americas. This course examines West Africa's history from the pre-colonial to the independence period. It covers such topics as states vs. stateless societies, urbanization, trans-Saharan trade, Islamization, European interaction, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonialism, cash crops, missionaries, nationalism, and independence. Students will discuss how this dynamic region changed over time as a result of internal factors, such as state formation, as well as external factors, interaction with Muslim and European traders. Students will also be exposed to the variety of sources used by historians to reconstruct West Africa's rich history. The course uses historical films by some of West Africa's most famous filmmakers, such as Ousman Sembene, to illustrate the diversity of the region and changes within the region over time. Course includes two class meetings and mandatory film screenings, usually one evening per week. This course fulfills Dietrich College's "Contextual Thinking" general education requirement. Note to CFA Students: If the film-showing portion of this class conflicts with a theatre/stage placement, please know that alternative screening times can be arranged on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the instructor directly.