Course Description
Geographic and socio-economic issues that face sub-Saharan economies into the twenty-first century. Emphasis on the physical landscape, environmental conditions, social and cultural distributions, and strategies and theories of economic development.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings, assignments, and questions on tests.
Athena Title
Geography Sub-Saharan Africa
Prerequisite
GEOG 1101 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Successful completion of this course will provide the following learning outcomes: A basic understanding of the physical, cultural, economic, and political geography of sub-Saharan Africa An appreciation of the diversity of physical and social processes and phenomena within sub-Saharan Africa An awareness of the historical events that have shaped sub-Saharan Africa’s physical and human landscapes and the consequences these events have for understanding the region today An ability to examine critically contemporary issues affecting the continent (such as political unrest, economic development, environmental degradation) A greater cognizance of the relationship between sub-Saharan Africa and traditional Western colonial powers This course meets the following General Education Abilities by accomplishing the specific learning objectives listed below: Communicate effectively through writing. This is met by a series of writing assignments associated with supplemental reading and data analysis. Communicate effectively through speech. This is met by oral presentations, discussion leading, and classroom participation. Critical Thinking is central to the learning objectives of this class, and is developed through homework assignments, lecture, classroom discussion, and inquiry- based learning efforts. Moral Reasoning (Ethics) is an important element of this course, as it explores cultures and peoples of Africa, economic development, and the ethics of colonialism and globalization. Moral reasoning is developed through lectures, writing assignments, classroom discussion, and inquiry-based learning activities.
Topical Outline
Sub-Saharan Africa's physical geography, including geology, climate, flora and fauna Cultural geography of Sub-Saharan Africa, including religious influences in the pre- and post-colonial era Demographic history of the region, including basic data on fertility and mortality, migration, sex-ratios, age-ratios, etc. The economy of pre-colonial Sub-Saharan Africa Political organization in the pre-colonial period The impact of colonialism on Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa's links into the broader world (e.g., impacts of the slave trade, pre-colonial trading patterns with Asia and Europe, impacts of colonial cash cropping) Sub-Saharan Africa and globalization (including the effects of structural adjustment policies on the region, Cold War and post-Cold war politics in the region, patterns of contemporary FDI, etc.) Conflict and strife in post-colonial Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa's contribution to world culture (contemporary music, literature, and art)