Afri 122: West Africa: Society and Economy in the 20th Century

Prof. Michael Lambert Fall Semester 1998 MW: 2:00-3:45 Hanes 108 Office: 410F Alumni Hall Office Hours: TBA. Phone: 962-3536

This is an interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students to recent literature and research materials on a range of topics concerning West Africa in the twentieth century. The course in divided into three main parts: (1) an overview of West African history; (2) an examination of economy and politics in contemporary West Africa; and (3) an examination of social issues and the arts. Among others, important sub-themes that intersect with the preceding are gender, religion, and urban/rural conditions. Other topics of interest to class members may be identified and included as discussion topics.

Course Requirements Texts Course Topics and Readings Return to Home Page

Course Requirements:

All students are expected to attend all classes and to complete all assigned readings. Attendance and participation will be considered in assigning final grades. Your final grade will be based on the assignments listed below. Please take note of the dates the assignments are due. Late papers will be penalized.

First Exam (September 14)           15%
Second Exam (October 14)             15%
Final Exam (December 11)            30%
Research Paper (December 7)       20%
Presentation                                     10%
Attendance and Participation      10%

Remember to bring blue books to the first, second and final exams.

You will have the opportunity to write a research paper (10-15 pages) on a topic of your choice. Part of your grade will be based on a presentation you will make on your research topic.

Graduate students may elect to have 100% of their grade based on a 20 page research paper.

The Honor Code is, as always, in effect for the course

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Texts:

The following texts are available at Student Store. They are also on reserve at the Undergraduate Library.
The Revolutionary Years: West Africa Since 1800, J.B. Webster and A.A. Boahen
So Long a Letter, Miriama Ba,
A Month and a Day, Ken Sara Wiwo

The following texts and readings marked with an asterisk (*) are on reserve at the Undergraduate Library
Conflict in Africa, Oliver Furley
Food in Sub-Saharan Africa, Art Hanson and Della E. McMillan
Topics in West African History, Ajayi Boahen
The Political Economy of West African Agriculture, Keith Hart

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Course Topics and Readings:

Aug 19 Introduction: Diversity of West Africa
21 Geography and Climate (*Nicholson, "Climate, drought, and famine in Africa," Hanson and McMillan, 107-129)

Historical Overview
         24     The Shape of West African Societies (Webster 98-110)
         26     Ancient Kingdoms of the Western Sudan (Boahen, Topics in West African History, pp. 1-10, 25-32)
         31     Film: Keita*
Sept   2     From the Slave Trade to the Legitimate Trade (Webster 74-84)
           7     No Class: Labor Day
           9     Liberia and Sierra Leone in the 19th Century (Webster 111-136; 166-196)
         14     First Exam
         16     The Islamic Revolutions of the 19th Century (Webster 1-34; 46-54)
         21     The Colonial Experience: The British (Webster 197-236)
         23     Film: Allah Tantou* (Carolina Parents' Room)
         28     The Colonial Experience: The French (Webster 237-274)

Politics and the Economy
         30     Breaking Out From Under Colonial Rule (Webster 275-325)
Oct     5     Film: Zan Boko*
           7     Politics in Contemporary West Africa (Webster 326-389)
         12     No Class: University Day
         14     Second Exam

Social Issues
         19    Political Conflict (*Richards, "Rebellion in Liberia and Sierra Leone," in Furley, 134-170)
         21    Film: Women with open Eyes*
         26    The Question of Gender (Ba, So Long a Letter)
         28    Protecting the Environment (Saro Wiwa, A Month and a Day)
Nov    2   Agriculture and the State (Hart, 83-109)
           4    What Direction for Economic and Political Change? (Hart, 110-150)

Culture and the Arts
           9    Film: In and Out of Africa*
         11    Litterature (Readings TBA)
         16    Music Traditions (Readings TBA)
         18    Student Presentations
         23    Student Presentations
         25    No Class: Thanksgiving
         30    Student Presentations
Dec    2     Student Presentations
           7     Research Paper Due Review
         11     Final Exam (4:00 P.M)

*All films except Allah Tantou will be shown in Conference Room 211 of the Undergraduate Library.

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