HIST 2707A Ali Winter, 2020(111) PDF

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Carleton University Department of History HIST 2707A: Modern Africa Precludes additional credit for HIST 2705. Academic Year: 2020

Instructor: Mohamed Ali

Time: Wednesday: 18:05-20:55

Office Hours: Wednesdays: 3:00-5:00 pm.

Class Location: 208 Tory Building

Office: 453 Paterson Hall

Term: Winter

Phone: 520-2600ext.1815

e-mail: [email protected]

(during office hours)

COURSE DESCRIPTION The aim of this course is to introduce students to the principal themes of African history from the nineteenth century to the present. Our focus will be to provide an overview of the modern era of African history. We are moved and troubled by what we occasionally see on the news, but too often we lack context and information to move beneath the surface images to a deeper analysis of the issues involved. Too often our understanding of Africa is shaped more by myths and misconceptions generated by old movies and the literature of an earlier era than by a sound knowledge of Africa’s past and present. We will begin by taking some common images we hold about Africa and examining them in the light of African experience. The impact of the outside world on traditional African social systems, economic organizations, political institutions, religious beliefs and other patterns of life is unparalleled in history. We will focus on the principal themes of African history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries such as: the events and processes leading to colonization of Africa and subsequent changes in African societies under colonial rule: gender and social transformation in colonial Africa, nationalism and anti-colonialism in late colonial Africa. In particular we will examine the ways in which Africans defined their own needs under increasing pressures during the 19th century and then responded to the imposition of colonial rule in the 20 th century. We can begin to appreciate how they sought to reconstruct their societies as independent, postcolonial nation states. We will conclude an examination of the following crucial issues: the colonial legacy, Africa’s place in global affairs, economic development, political instability, and the challenges facing diverse African nations in the 21st century.

A broad range of topics will be considered and class discussion will be predicated on the student having read the assigned material for the week. Films and videos will be used whenever appropriate to provide you with images of Africa: the environment, people and cultures. The structure of the course rests on the following format: lectures, which provide overviews of large themes and periods: the readings which provide detailed and textured to the themes and periods covered in the lecture: the class discussions which provide you to ask questions about aspects of the readings and lectures that either confuse or inspire your interest. Learning Objectives: 1.

To develop analytical thinking about history and understand the importance of investigating the various causes behind major events.

2.

To explore the main economic, social and political challenges confronting modern Africa today, placing them in historical and global context. That is, we will attempt to understand how Africa's current predicaments came about. 3.

To continue to develop strong writing and analytical skills.

REQUIRED TEXTS Kevin Shillington, History of Africa (Fourth Edition) Adu Boahen, African Perspective on Colonialism David Birmingham, The decolonization of Africa All required texts are available for purchase at the Carleton Bookstore. They are also on reserve in the library. GRADING METHOD Your grade in class will be computed in the following manner: Map Exercise

10% of the final grade

Midterm

35% of the final grade

Book report /Research topic

10% of the final grade

Final Exam

45% of the final grade

COURSE REQUIREMENTS •

Short Assignment No Late papers accepted Map Exercise (10 marks)

Students will locate maps of Africa, the geographical feature of Africa, African peoples and Modern African states. Maps are due on January 22. Prepare Three maps of the following: A. The geographical features of Africa: Nile River, Niger River, Benue River, Zaire/Congo River, Mt Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro, Futa Jalon , Lake Chad, Blue Nile River, White Nile River, Lake Victoria, Zambezi River, Limpopo River, Vaal River, Orange River, Senegal River, Gambia River, Sahara Desert, Kalahari Desert, Lake Tana , Suez Canal, Volta River, Drakensburg, Limpopo River. B. African peoples: Ibo/Igbo, Yoruba, Tiv, Hausa, Kanuri, Kikuyu, Kamba, Masai, Chagga, Ganda, Wolof, Akan, Lou, Serer, Zulu, Xhosa, Kongo, Berber, Tuareg, Somali, Oromo, Amharic, Shona , Swahili, Sotho, Nama ,Herero, Fulani/Fulbe, Bambara, Tutsi, Hutu, Khoikhoi, Dinka, Kru, Temne. C .African countries :Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Congo, Chad, Comoros, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Djibouti , Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe. These exercises are designed to familiarize you with the geography, states and peoples of Africa. There are Atlases in the library. You can find most details by using the index of any simple tex book on African history. There is a large selection of books on reserve in the library for the class. Standard encyclopedias (Colombia, World Britannia, etc.) will have the details you need. National Geographic: the heritage of Africa” map in Dec.1971 issue especially used for locating African peoples. Ajayi, J.A and Crowder, M. Historical Atlas OF Africa 1985. 2. EXAM a) There will be a three –hour midterm exam (in class). The questions will come from the readings, assignments and lectures. b) A three-hour final examination based on the work of the entire term. The final exam will be scheduled in the formal examination period. 3. One research paper or book report (5 pages) Student's critical and analytical skills generally develop by writing. To that end you are required to select one research topic or book report. Selected research topics must relate to the themes of the course and must have the instructor’s approval. Term papers and book reports must be typed (double-spaced). The bibliography should include information on the author, publisher, Edition and date of publication. Two copies of research papers and book reports should be handed in if you wish one returned. Final research papers are due on March 11. They must be submitted on time;

otherwise a 3% penalty will apply each day the research paper is late. Students should contact me if they are late to submit their research papers due to a documented illness. Book reports should adhere to the following instructions: Give a brief synopsis of the plot. Is the book a novel, an autobiography, etc.? Discuss the major themes of the book. How does the author approach the topic? Is the author from the same group he depicts? How relevant is the historical and social heritage of the people? Your impressions and comments of these and other themes are appropriate. Before writing your papers it would be useful to read one or more published reviews with a view to improving your understanding of the book. In the event you do, you must give citation for any material used. Consult the Index to Book Reviews in Humanities or Kate L. Turabian, a manual for writers to term papers. Thesis and Dissertations are recommended as a guide or you may use Social Science format of the American Anthropologist. Please note that e-mailed papers will not be accepted, as students are responsible for bringing a printed copy for the session when the research topics are due. COURSE OUTLINE WEEK 1 and 2 Jan. 8- 15

Africa in World history -Some Images of Africa Africa in the age of European expansion -Slave trade and slavery in West Africa -Transformations in Southern Africa

Readings: Shillington, Ch. 11- 15 Video:

Different but Equal/Caravans of Gold/Slave kingdoms

WEEK 3 and 4 Jan 22-29

Map exercise due (Jan.22)

The Nineteen Century before the European 'Scramble' for Africa Africa in the nineteenth century: the dynamics of change -Internal factors of change -External factors of change

Readings: Shillington, Chapters 16- 21 Boahen, Ch. 1-2 Video:

The magnificent African Cake/ The Scramble for Africa/Bible and the Gun Christian Missions, new states and pre-colonial “nationalism” The European ‘Scramble’ for Africa Imperialism: Theory and practice -The partition of Africa, -Resistance, collaboration and contradiction in African societies

WEEK 5 and 6 Feb.5-12

Study questions (Feb.5)

The Challenges and Cultural and Political Imperialism, Late-Nineteenth Century Industrialization, colonial conquest and African resistance in southern Africa Consolidation of empire: the early period of colonial rule

Readings: Shillington, Chapters 22- 24 Boahen, Ch. 3 Achebe, “An image of Africa : Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness,” pages. 209-220 (in Postcolonial Discourses: on reserve.) Video:

Heart of Darkness/White king, red rubber, black death/Clash of cultures Essay topics will be assigned (Feb.12)

Winter Break

Feb 17-21

WEEK 7 and 8 The Impact and Nature of Colonial Rule Feb.26 -Mar.4 Africa between the Wars: the high tide of colonial rule -Western education and the rise of nationalism -The educated elite and African peasants and working class -The aftermath of World War 11 Readings: Shillington, Chs.25-26

Video:

Nationalism in Africa/Chinua Achebe, Africa’s voices Three -hour midterm-exam (Feb.26)

WEEK 9 and 10 Research papers are due (Mar. 18) Mar.11-18 The Winning of Independence The decolonization of Africa -Accelerated decolonization-North Africa and the Horn of Africa -Political change in the Gold Coast and the British West Africa -French West Africa and Equatorial Africa -Armed struggles and the liberation movements -Private enterprise and peasant rebellions in West-central Africa Readings: Birmingham, Intro and Chapters 1- 4 Shillington, Chapters. 27-29 Video:

Independence: Egypt and Algeria

WEEK 11 and 12 Mar.25-April 1

Impact of Colonialism Africa Since Independence Khapoya,V., "African independence: The First Thirty Years," pages169-208 (in The African Experience: on reserve.) -The dilemmas of development debt, climate changes and international aid

South Africa: The black man’s struggle for a birthright in his land -Afrikaner nationalism and African resistance Readings:

Shillington, Chs.30 Boahen, Ch. 4 Birmingham, Ch. 5 and conclusion

Video:

Legacy of lifestyles: the triple heritage of styles/Legacy/South Africa: Freedom

Contemporary Africa Democratic Progress in the 1990's Health and Environment and Health -Political Instability and Contemporary Africa -China and Africa Readings:

Shillington, Chs.31-32 In Lifestyle/Soweto’76/Globalization: When the bottom line is not enough Aids in Africa

Three-hour final exam-April 13- 25 (tba) Your Instructor Mohamed Nuuh Ali, Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles, Formerly Dean of College of Education and Professor of African history, Somali National University.

REGULATIONS COMMON TO ALL HISTORY COURSES COPIES OF WRITTEN WORK SUBMITTED Always retain for yourself a copy of all essays, term papers, written assignments or take-home tests submitted in your courses. PLAGIARISM The University Senate defines plagiarism as “presenting, whether intentionally or not, the ideas, expression of ideas or work of others as one’s own.” This can include: • reproducing or paraphrasing portions of someone else’s published or unpublished material, regardless of the source, and presenting these as one’s own without proper citation or reference to the original source; • submitting a take home examination, essay, laboratory report or other assignment written, in whole or in part, by someone else; • using ideas or direct, verbatim quotations, or paraphrased material, concepts, or ideas without appropriate acknowledgment in any academic assignment; • using another’s data or research findings; • failing to acknowledge sources through the use of proper citations when using another’s works and/or failing to use quotation marks; • handing in "substantially the same piece of work for academic credit more than once without prior written permission of the course instructor in which the submission occurs." Plagiarism is a serious offence which cannot be resolved directly with the course’s instructor. The Associate Dean of the Faculty conducts a rigorous investigation, including an interview with the student,

when an instructor suspects a piece of work has been plagiarized. Penalties are not trivial. They can include a final grade of "F" for the course. COURSE SHARING WEBSITES and COPYRIGHT Classroom teaching and learning activities, including lectures, discussions, presentations, etc., by both instructors and students, are copy protected and remain the intellectual property of their respective author(s). All course materials, including PowerPoint presentations, outlines, and other materials, are also protected by copyright and remain the intellectual property of their respective author(s). Students registered in the course may take notes and make copies of course materials for their own educational use only. Students are not permitted to reproduce or distribute lecture notes and course materials publicly for commercial or non-commercial purposes without express written consent from the copyright holder(s). STATEMENT ON CLASS CONDUCT The Carleton University Human Rights Policies and Procedures affirm that all members of the University community share a responsibility to: • promote equity and fairness, • respect and value diversity, • prevent discrimination and harassment, and • preserve the freedom of its members to carry out responsibly their scholarly work without threat of interference. Carleton University Equity Services states that “every member of the University community has a right to study, work and live in a safe environment free of discrimination or harassment”. [In May of 2001 Carleton University’s Senate and Board of Governors approved the Carleton University Human Rights Policies and Procedures. The establishment of these policies and procedures was the culmination of the efforts of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Human Rights and a Human Rights Implementation Committee.] GRADING SYSTEM Letter grades assigned in this course will have the following percentage equivalents: A+ = 90-100 (12) B = 73-76 (8) C - = 60-62 (4) A = 85-89 (11) B - = 70-72 (7) D+ = 57-59 (3) A - = 80-84 (10) C+ = 67-69 (6) D = 53-56 (2) B+ = 77-79 (9) C = 63-66 (5) D - = 50-52 (1) F Failure. No academic credit WDN Withdrawn from the course ABS Absent from the final examination DEF Official deferral (see "Petitions to Defer") FND Failure with no deferred exam allowed -- assigned only when the student has failed the course on the basis of inadequate term work as specified in the course outline. Standing in a course is determined by the course instructor subject to the approval of the Faculty Dean. This means that grades submitted by the instructor may be subject to revision. No grades are final until they have been approved by the Dean.

WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY January 31, 2019: Last day for a full fee adjustment when withdrawing from winter courses (financial withdrawal). Withdrawals after this date will result in a permanent notation of WDN on the official transcript. April 9, 2019: Last day for academic withdrawal from winter courses. REQUESTS FOR ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS You may need special arrangements to meet your academic obligations during the term. For an accommodation request the processes are as follows: Pregnancy obligation: write to the professor with any requests for academic accommodation during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist. For more details see https://carleton.ca/equity/wp-content/uploads/Student-Guide-to-AcademicAccommodation.pdf Religious obligation: write to the professor with any requests for academic accommodation during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist. For more details see https://carleton.ca/equity/wp-content/uploads/Student-Guide-to-AcademicAccommodation.pdf Accommodation for Student Activities: write to the professor with any requests for academic accommodation during the first two weeks of class, or as soon as possible after the need for accommodation is known to exist. For more details see https://carleton.ca/senate/wpcontent/uploads/Accommodation-for-Student-Activities-1.pdf Survivors of sexual violence: As a community, Carleton University is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working and living environment where sexual violence will not be tolerated, and is survivors are supported through academic accommodations as per Carleton's Sexual Violence Policy. For more information about the services available at the university and to obtain information about sexual violence and/or support, visit: https://carleton.ca/sexual-violence-support/wp-content/uploads/SexualViolence-Policy-December-1-2016.pdf Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: The Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities (PMC) provides services to students with Learning Disabilities (LD), psychiatric/mental health disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), chronic medical conditions, and impairments in mobility, hearing, and vision. If you have a disability requiring academic accommodations in this course, please contact PMC at 613-520-6608 or [email protected] for a formal evaluation. If you are already registered with the PMC, contact your PMC coordinator to send me your Letter of Accommodation at the beginning of the term, and no later than two weeks before the first in-class scheduled test or exam requiring accommodation (if applicable). After requesting accommodation from PMC, meet with me to ensure accommodation arrangements are made. Please consult the PMC website for the deadline to request accommodations for the formally-scheduled exam (if applicable). PETITIONS TO DEFER Students unable to write a final examination because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control or whose performance on an examination has been impaired by such circumstances may apply

within five working days to the Registrar's Office for permission to write a deferred examination. The request must be fully and specifically supported by a medical certificate or other relevant documentation. Only deferral petitions submitted to the Registrar's Office will be considered. ADDRESSES (613-520-2600, phone ext.) • Department of History (2828) 400 PA • Registrar’s Office (3500) 300 Tory • Academic Advising Centre (7850) 302 Tory • Paul Menton Centre (6608) 500 Unicentre • Centre for Student Academic Support – Study Skills, Writing Tutorials, Bounce Back (3822) 4th fl Library Application for Graduation Deadlines • Spring Graduation (June): March 1 • Fall Graduation (November): September 1 • Winter Graduation (February): December 1

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