Survey of African History

Catalog description

This course is designed to introduce students to the social, political, economic, and cultural history of Africa from the earliest times to the present. In this survey of African history, students will examine the historical background to more recent events on the continent. Students will gain an overview of some of the most significant developments in the African past, including early state building, the growing influence of Islam and Christianity, and the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, as well as how these developments have shaped current debates over identity and economic underdevelopment. Because of the complexity and size of the African continent, this course does not attempt to provide a comprehensive history of each country, people, and region. Rather, it is organized chronologically and thematically in order to help students see Africa as a continent long at the crossroads of global interactions.