HUM 538 - African History Since 1800

Course Description

Examine the history of the peoples and states of Africa, mainly south of the Sahara. Discuss the important historical patterns from 1800 onwards, which have given rise to Africa’s development as an integral part of world history. Topics include: external religion and socio-cultural change in Africa; slavery and the creation of the Atlantic world; European conquest and partition; colonialism – resistance, impact and significance; the World Wars and the rise of African nationalism; the process of decolonization, the post-colonial states and the challenges of independence – the Cold War; apartheid, civil wars, genocide; the search for African unity, as well as new socio-economic and political structures; globalization and development; and the prospect for African renaissance.