Course Description
The history, physical environment (landforms, vegetation,
and climate), and sociocultural environment (artistic,
political, and social development) of Africa.
Athena Title
Introduction to Africa
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in AFST 2100, ANTH 2100, CMLT 2100, GEOG 2100, SOCI 2100, RELI 2100
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will examine how African societies are organized into various groups (nations, linguistic groups, classes, and occupations) and how these structures evolve and function over time.
- Students will explore the historical development, maintenance, and transformation of African institutions and their impact on social groupings.
- Students will interact with African-related academic work, events, and media to deepen their understanding of the subject.
- Students will collaborate in groups to research, prepare, and present reports on specific African countries, integrating lecture discussions, readings, and external sources.
Topical Outline
- General Introduction: Historical & Geographic Contextualization
- Peoples & Languages
- Pre-Colonial Legacies
- Colonialism and its Aftermath
- National Liberation and Political Change
- Religions and World Views
- Economic Development
- Social Structures & Institutions: Family and Kinship
- Social Structures & Institutions (continued):
a. Education
b. Health
c. Sports
- Gender and Societies/Education
- Surveys: Pan-Africanism & African Diaspora
- Literature and the Arts
- Agriculture
- Environment and Geography
- Changes and Effects: Growth, Development, and Underdevelopment
- Africa and the World Today (Review & Students' Presentations)
General Education Core
CORE IV: World Languages and Global Culture
CORE V: Social Sciences
