History of Western Africa

Catalog description

This course is a historical introduction to the themes and events in western and northern Africa from prehistoric times and the peopling of Africa through the advent of Islam; North and West African empires and states in the medieval period; the arrival and departure of European colonial powers; and the re-emergence of independent African states. We will trace topical themes through case studies, exploring the political, cultural, social aspects and the inter-regional dynamics of Saharan Africa.