Course Description
Examines decolonization in Africa, particularly the dissolution
of the European Empires. Beginning with the post-WWII movement,
it explores multiple factors, such as nationalism, the role of
the U.N. and the U.S., and postcolonial states, to understand
the transition from a world of empire to one of nation-states.
Athena Title
Decolonization in Africa
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HIST 3520H, AFST 3520H
Pre or Corequisite
Any AFST or HIST or HONS or AFAM or INTL or POLS course
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 decolonization in Africa 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 decolonization in Africa shaped diverse social and cultural attitudes toward race, colonialism, and resistance, 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: Introduction to African History
- Week Three: Introduction to Post-WWII Africa
- Week Four: The Economic Effects of War on African Colonies and Colonial Governance
- Week Five: African Cities: The Intensification of Wage Labor and Migrant Wage Labor
- Week Six: Colonial Taxes and Rural Realities
- Week Seven: The Role of the United Nations
- Week Eight: The Emergence of a new Superpower-the U.S.
- Week Nine: The Formation of Anti-Colonial Nationalist Movements
- Week Ten: African Discontentment: Gender and Generational Politics
- Week Eleven: The Birth of the Nation
- Week Twelve: The Postcolonial State as a Gatekeeper State?
- Week Thirteen: Violence in the Post Colony
- Week Fourteen: Nation-Building: Citizenship and Development Schemes
- Week Fifteen: The Failure of Citizenship and Development?
- Week Sixteen: The Transition to Multipartyism
