This course is designed to provide you with a working knowledge of Africa.  You will be able to apply this knowledge in interpreting current events in Africa as they are reported in the national media.  This course will also prepare you for more advanced courses in African Studies, anthropology, and international studies, among others.  Some of the topics we will study during this semester are the geography of Africa, pre-colonial societies and kingdoms, colonialism, African Nationalism, contemporary politics and economics, and African religious beliefs.

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Study Guide

African and Afro-Am. Studies

Course Schedule

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Department of African and Afro-American Studies

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Office

Office Hours

http://www.unc.edu/~mlambert

962-3536

102 Battle Hall

3:30-5:30 Monday

Map Quiz (January 24) 10%
  This is a short evaluation of your ability to identify the nations and capitals of the African continent.   You can find a map and a list of countries and their capitals in the text Understanding Contemporary Africa, edited by Gordon and Gordon (page 22). Use this map to study for the map quiz.  In order to receive full credit your spelling must be correct.  Note that you must learn both the countries and their capitals. 

You might find the following maps useful as you study for the map quiz (courtesy of Prof. Dunbar):

Fully Labelled  |  Country Name Only  |  City Name Only  |  Blank

First and Second Exam (Feb 19 and April 4) 30% each

Final Exam (May 11) 30%

Attendance 

Class sessions are an important component of the course.  Attendance will be kept for each class.  While you will not receive a grade for your attendance, it will be taken into consideration when assigning final grades, particularly for students whose grades are borderline.  It is the responsibility of each student to sign the attendance sheet.  Falsification of the attendance sheet will be treated as a violation of the honor code. 

It is your responsibility to make sure I receive all of your assignments. Remember to bring blue books to the midterm and final exam.

The Honor Code is, as always, in effect for this course.

Unit: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 

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This section is designed to introduce you to the continent of Africa. We will examine some of the features of the physical and human geography of the African continent. We will also discuss some of the preconceptions and stereotypes that we have concerning Africa in order that we may overcome these stereotypes and view Africa more objectively. 

Readings: Gordon and Gordon: chs. 1, 2, & pp. 23-30; Khapoya: ch. 1; Coursepack: Diawara; Optional: July, 3-26.

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2) Pre-Colonial Societies and Ancient Kingdoms Weeks 3 - 4 (Jan 26 - Feb 5) 

During this section you will learn about pre-colonial Africa. We will begin by addressing the different types of societies that have flourished on the African continent. We will examine the economic activities undertaken by these societies and their social organization. From there we will consider some of Africa’s pre-colonial kingdoms. You will learn what these kingdoms were, how they were governed, and why they rose to prominence. We will touch on the issue of how these ancient kingdoms are currently relevant to the African diaspora. 

Readings: Gordon and Gordon ch. 9, p.30-39; Khapoya: ch. 2 (25-51, 58-66), ch. 3; Coursepack Ade Ajayi, Gates; Optional: July, 47-78, 104-128.

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3) The Triple Heritage of Religion Weeks 5-6 (Feb. 7 - 16)

Religion has been an important institution in defining African societies. Although most Africans are now Muslim or Christian, the continent has its own rich religious traditions. In this section we will examine some of Africa’s religious traditions. We will look also at the impact that Islam and Christianity have had on the continent. You will gain an appreciation for these different religious traditions and the unique expressions that they have found in African societies.

Readings: Gordon and Gordon: ch 11; Khapoya: ch. 2 (53-60) Coursepack: Cox; Achebe, Things Fall Apart (first half); Optional: July: 188-208, 252-274.

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4) The Era of Foreign Domination Weeks 7-8 (Feb. 21 - Mar. 7)

This section explores one of the most important eras in the history of the continent. At the end of this sections you should understand which of the European powers engaged in colonialism, which territories these nations claimed, why they embarked on imperial projects in Africa, the different ways in which European countries administered their colonies, the impact that colonialism has had on the people of Africa, and why colonialism came to an end. 

Readings: Gordon and Gordon: pp. 39-46; Khapoya: ch. 4; Coursepack: Rodney, "Colonialism as a System for Underdeveloping Africa," Crowder;  Achebe, Things Fall Apart (second half);Optional: July: 295-321, 375-398, 424-470. 

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5)  Racial Politics in South Africa (Mar. 9 - Mar. 21)

This section will explore the development and demise of the policies of apartheid in South African.  The unique history of the southern portion of the content will be examined in such a way as to reveal why this system of racial domination and exploitation developed here but not elsewhere on the continent.  We will also examine the events that eventually resulted in the dismantling of the apartheid policies.

Readings: Gordon and Gordon: ch 13; Khapoya: ch. 7; Optional: July: 228-251, 444-469
 

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6) Expressions of African Nationalism (Mar. 23 - Apr. 2)

African Nationalism was one unforseen outcome of the colonial era.  In this section we will examine how African Nationalism developed and the ways by which it was a response to the European domination of the continent.  We will develop an appreciation for different expression of African Nationalism, its connections with Pan-Africanism, and the role that African Nationalism played in the achievement of African Independence. 

Readings: Khapoya: ch. 5; Coursepack: Blyden, Nkrumah, Senghor (on reserve); Ngugi wa Thiongo: Weep Not Child; Optional: July: 322-344, 399-423, 473-514

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7) Post-Colonial Politics (Apr. 6 - 16)

Independence did not prove to be the solution to Africa's problems that many hoped it would be.  In this section we will examine some of the political problems that African nations have confronted since independence.  You will develop and understanding of the characteristics of post-colonial political regimes in Africa and the challenges that African nations have faced in attempting to forge and maintain democratic forms of government. 

Readings: Gordon and Gordon: ch. 4; Khapoya: ch. 6; Coursepack: Gordon and Wolpe, Abrokwaa; Optional: July: 540-563.

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8) Social and Economic Development (Apr. 18-  30)

This section addresses issues related to economic and social development in Africa.  We will examine the nature of economic ties between African and European nations under conditions of neocolonialism. Using Nigeria as an example, we will examine the social, political, economic, and environmental impact of efforts at industrial development.  We will also examine efforts to change the status of women in Africa.  

Readings: Gordon and Gordon: ch. 5, 6, 10; Khapoya: ch. 8; Coursepack: Rodney, "Some Questions on Development," George, de Waal and Duffield, Aidoo: Optional: July: 515-539, 585-608, Geshekter

Closure (May 2)

Final Exam (May 11)

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