TRENT UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
History/International Development Studies 2401H
The Emergence of Modern Africa:
Before c.1880
FALL 2008
Instructor: Prof. T. Stapleton (EEC S101.5) Tutorial Leader: Ms. Helen Vreugdenhil (ECC S119.7)
Email: tstapleton@trentu.ca
Email: hvreugde@trentu.ca
Phone: 748-1011 ext 7841
This introductory course examines the historical background of contemporary Africa through a broad survey of the continent’s history
from the Iron Age to the eve of colonial conquest in the late nineteenth century. Looking mostly at Sub-Saharan Africa, the course
will stress the diversity of African societies and how they have changed over time. Important pre-colonial themes will include the
development of technologies and trade, the movement of people and languages, the rise of centralized states and stateless societies, the
impact of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and early colonial intrusion in Southern Africa. Rather than simply narrating a series of dates
and events, special attention will be given to historical processes, trends and academic debates. Lectures will introduce students to the
basic themes of African History in this period while tutorials will focus on specific primary sources relating to the pre-colonial
kingdoms of the West African interior, oral tradition as history, and the Atlantic Slave Trade.
TIME/LOCATION
Lecture: Friday, 9-10:50am, FPHL 117 (weekly)
Tutorials: Friday, 2pm GCS 111 and 3pm GCS 111 (biweekly)
REQUIRED TEXTS
Erik Gilbert and Jonathan T. Reynolds, Africa in World History: From Prehistory to the Present, Pearson, 2nd Edition, 2008. (for
lectures)
Robert J. Allison (ed.), The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. (for tutorials)
D.T. Niane, Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, Pearson/Longman, 2006. (for tutorials)
EVALUATION
Participation 10%
Tutorial Assignment 10%
Map Quiz (written in class) 10%
Research Paper 40%
Final Examination 30%
DEADLINES/IMPORTANT DATES
Map Quiz (in class): 3 October
Submit Research Paper: 31 October
MAP QUIZ
This will cover major geographic features of Africa such as rivers, lakes and deserts.
RESEARCH PAPER
Producing a research paper is a central activity of this course. You are free to select any topic relating to African history before 1880.
However, students are strongly advised to consult with the instructor or tutorial leader before finalizing their topics. The paper should
be roughly 2000 words long with footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography. The paper must be typed/word processed. Research
papers are expected to make extensive use of appropriate secondary sources such as academic journal articles and books. Students
should avoid using course texts or lecture notes as cited sources in essays.
Late assignments will NOT BE ACCEPTED. If you have a problem meeting a deadline, discuss it with the instructor or tutorial
leader. Extensions can be granted when appropriate.
COURSE STRUCTURE
This course consists of weekly lectures and biweekly tutorials.
LECTURES
Lectures will usually take the full double period slot. Background readings for the lectures will be from Gilbert and Reynolds, Africa
in World History: From Prehistory to the Present.
TUTORIALS
A separate tutorial information sheet will be passed out by the tutorial leader. This will explain all tutorial activities, the tutorial
assignment and readings which will focus on The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano and Sundiata: An Epic of Old
Mali.
COURSE OUTLINE
12 Sept: Lecture: Introduction/Terminology/Periods and Sources of African History/Tutorial Organization
19 Sept: Lecture: The Historiography of Sub-Saharan Africa
Lecture Reading: Gilbert and Reynolds, pp. xvii-xx; 1-36 (preface and chapters 1 and 2).
26 Sept: Lecture: The Expansion of Bantu Languages and the Early Iron Age
Lecture Reading: Gilbert and Reynolds, pp. 37-81 (chapters 3 and 4).
3 Oct: Lecture: The Trans-Sahara Trade and Associated Empires (c.400-1600)
MAP QUIZ (in class)
Lecture Reading: Gilbert and Reynolds, pp. 82-116 (chapters 5 and 6).
10 Oct: Lecture: Video – Basil Davidson, Africa Series, “Mastering a Continent” and “Different But Equal”.
17 Oct: Lecture: Central and Southern Africa in the Later Iron Age (c.1000-1600)
Lecture Reading: Gilbert and Reynolds, pp. 117-136 (chapter 7).
31 Oct: Lecture: West Africa and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (c.1500-1800)
Lecture Reading: Gilbert and Reynolds, pp. 137- 200 (chapters 8 and 9).
SUBMIT RESEARCH PAPERS
7 Nov: Lecture: The Rise of New Empires and Trade in Sub-Equatorial Africa (c.1600-1800)
Lecture Reading: Gilbert and Reynolds, pp. 201-243 (chapters 10 and 11).
14 Nov: Lecture: West in the 1800s: Islamic Jihads, Legitimate Commerce and the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
Madagascar (1600-1800).
Lecture Reading: already covered
21 Nov: Lecture: Southern Africa in the 1800s: Colonial Expansion and New African States
Lecture Reading: Gilbert and Reynolds, pp. 244-264 (chapter 12).
28 Nov: Lecture: Central and East Africa in the 1800s: Invasions from the South, the Slave Trade in East Africa and the First
European Explorers/Course Conclusion
Lecture Readings: already covered.
5 Dec: Course conclusion
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty, which includes plagiarism and cheating, is an extremely serious academic offence and
carries penalties varying from failure in an assignment to suspension from the University. Definitions, penalties, and procedures for
dealing with plagiarism and cheating are set out in Trent University’s Academic Dishonesty Policy which is printed in the University
Calendar and on the university web site at: http://www.trentu.ca/deansoffice/policies_dishonesty.php.
Access to Instruction: It is Trent University’s intent to create an inclusive learning environment. If a student has a disability and/or
health consideration and feels that he/she may need accommodations to succeed in this course, the student should contact the
Disability Services Office (BL Suite 109; 748-1281; disabilityservices@trentu.ca) as soon as possible.