Examines the Sahara from the ancient through the medieval and
colonial periods. It focuses on issues such as environmental
history and camel nomadism, trans-Saharan trade, the rise and
spread of Islam, Saharan slavery and racism, the European
conquest, and the Saharan anti-colonial struggle.
Athena Title
History of the Sahara
Prerequisite
Any HIST course or ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1101E or ENGL 1101S or ENGL 1102 or ENGL 1102E or ENGL 1102S or POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about the history of the Sahara by gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the history of the Sahara has shaped diverse social and cultural attitudes toward religion, environment, race, and gender, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
Topical Outline
Week One: Introduction to the course and Africa
Week Two: The Environmental History of the Sahara
Week Three: Camel Nomads, Ancient Egypt, and the Roman Empire
Week Four: Christianity and Islam in North Africa and the Sahara
Week Five: The Camel Caravan and the Trans-Saharan Slave Trade
Week Six: The Saharans and the Medieval West African Kingdoms
Week Seven: Race, Islam, and the Trans-Saharan Slave Trade
Week Eight: Race, Gender, and Slavery in the Sahara
Week Nine: The Scramble for Africa and the Sahara
Week Ten: The Sahara and World War I
Week Eleven: The Sahara and World War II
Week Twelve: The Sahara and African Independence
Week Thirteen: Saharan Nationalists and Rebels
Week Fourteen: Analyzing the History of the Sahara
