HIST 326
20th CENTURY AFRICA

1. Catalog Entry

HIST 326. 20TH CENTURY AFRICA (C)
Three hours lecture/discussion (3).

Prerequisite: Three hours of history at the 100 level.

Analysis of the events and trends that have shaped Africa and its peoples in the 20 th century. Topics include the rise of nationalism, the impact of the two World Wars, struggles for independence, the impact of the Cold War, efforts at economic, social and political development in the post-Independence era, Africa in the Age of Globalization.

2. Detailed Description of Content of Course

• The Rise of African Nationalism
• World War I
• The African National Congress (South Africa)
• Pan African Movement
• Labor Unions, Newspapers, Professional Organizations, Independent Schools
• African Christianity/ Islam
• Colonial Policies & Underdevelopment
• Italo-Ethiopian War 1935-41
• World War II
• Struggles for Independence
• The World context
• Cold War
• Bandung conference/Third World Movement
• Independence in British Africa: Ghana
• Independence in French Africa: Guinea
• Independence in White Settler Areas
• Algeria
• Kenya
• Independence in southern Africa
• Portuguese colonies
• Rhodesia/Zimbabwe
• Namibia
• South Africa
• The Cold War in Africa
• Belgian Congo/Zaire
• Ethiopia and Somalia
• Angola
• Economic, Social, Political Developments
• Legacy of Colonialism
• Economic Development
• Development models
• Neo-colonialism
• Sustainable development
• Technology & the Global Market
• Social Development
• Education: the Brain drain & intellectual colonialism
• The decay of communal values & the extended family
• Medicine: AIDS, Ebola, etc.
• Political Development
• Ethnic and National Identity
• Nigerian civil war
• Liberian civil war
• The disintegration of Somalia
• Organization of Africa Unity
• Prospects for Democracy
• Africa in the 21 st century

2. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The format of this course will be largely lecture and discussion. Students will be evaluated largely through a series of three in-class essays which will test their mastery of the material and themes for the course. In addition students in the course will be responsible for focusing upon one particular African country and fitting it into the broader context of the course. Students may be asked to write individual essays on their findings or may be organized into regional groupings and asked to report to the class orally, drawing comparisons based on their shared findings. Audio-visual materials will be used wherever possible to provide students with a visual conception of the areas and topics they are studying. In addition, guest speakers, if and when appropriate, may make presentations or lead discussions.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

Having completed this course students

• Will have a broad understanding of African history and its themes in the 20 th century and be able to address those issues orally and in writing.
• Will have a better understanding of current events in Africa, being better able to analyze those events on their own, able to sort out why Africans and westerners often view and report those events differently.
• Will be able to fit the challenges facing Africa today and in the future into a broader global context.

5. Assessment Measures

Student learning and progress will be measured in the course on the basis of performance on three in-class essays in addition to individual writing assignments and/or group activities. Students will also have a component of their grades based on class attendance and participation.

6. Other Course Information

In working on individual country assignments students will be encouraged to make use of the Internet and to make contacts with embassies in the U.S. in addition to students or families studying or visiting in the U.S. from those countries.

7. Review and Approval

Date Action Reviewed By
January 2005 Reviewed and Approved by Charles McClellan