INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN HISTORY
AAAS 105/HIST 104, SPRING 2007
2092 DOLE (DHDC), 12:30-1:45 MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
Dr. Elizabeth MacGonagle
Office: 2005 Wescoe Hall
Office Phone: (785) 864-9452
E-mail: macgonag@ku.edu
Office hours: Mon. 11-12; Wed. 2-3 & by appt.
Graduate Teaching Assistant:
Rebecca Slaton
1015 Wescoe; 864-2313
E-mail: becca711@ku.edu
Office hrs.: Mon. 2-4 & by appt.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to the complexity of the African historical experience. We
will examine important historical developments in Africa before the arrival of Europeans and
analyze the reshaping of Africa’s political economy during the colonial period. After
considering the contentious legacies of the Atlantic slave trade and the colonial era, we will
explore challenges facing independent Africa. We will also discuss historical links between
Africa and the Americas, as well as contemporary American attitudes towards Africa, including
perceptions and misperceptions in the West.
Throughout the semester we will follow a thematic approach to emphasize African
realities and examine similarities and diversity in the African experience, mainly south of the
Sahara. The works of African scholars, writers, filmmakers, musicians and other artists will
offer African perspectives on the continent, past and present. This material, in addition to other
required readings, will be the subject of much of our discussions. Lectures will focus on social,
political and economic changes over time as outlined in the course schedule below. Exams will
be based on material covered in lectures, discussions and readings. For one assignment you will
engage in small group discussions online about primary documents through Blackboard’s
Discussion Board. In addition, a short paper on one book assigned for this class is also required.
REQUIRED READINGS:
AN INTRODUCTION TO THINKING ABOUT AFRICA:
Curtis Keim, Mistaking Africa: Curiosities and Inventions of the American Mind
(Westview, 1999)
A TEXTBOOK:
Erik Gilbert and Jonathan Reynolds, Africa in World History
(Prentice Hall, 2004)
AN EPIC:
D. T. Niane, Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali (Longman, 1994)
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A NOVEL:
Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart (Heinemann, 1996, expanded edition)
“classics in context” ISBN: 0435905252 (If you do not have this edition, read the preliminary
pages and introduction on E-reserve.)
A JOURNALIST’S ACCOUNT OF RWANDA:
Philip Gourevitch, We Wish to Inform You that Tomorrow We Will be Killed with Our Families:
Stories from Rwanda (Picador, 1998)
THE BOOKS ABOVE ARE ALL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT LOCAL BOOKSTORES.
AVAILABLE ON E-RESERVE AT THE KU LIBRARY:
 ARTICLE BY E. MACGONAGLE, “FROM DUNGEONS TO DANCE PARTIES: CONTESTED HISTORIES
OF GHANA'S SLAVE FORTS” IN JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN STUDIES
 DOCUMENTS ON THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
 A SHORT STORY BY NGUGI WA THIONG’O, MINUTES OF GLORY
 SELECTION FROM KEN SARO WIWA’S GENOCIDE IN NIGERIA: THE OGONI TRAGEDY
RECOMMENDED BUT OPTIONAL READING:
AN ATLAS:
Colin McEvedy, The Penguin Atlas of African History
(1995, revised edition)
REQUIREMENTS and EVALUATION:
1) Regular attendance and active participation in class discussions are expected. Class
lectures and discussions are not a substitute for the readings, and the readings are not a
substitute for material covered in class. You should complete the assigned reading prior to
each class meeting so that we can build on the reading and have fruitful discussions. Prepare
for class meetings in advance, come to class on time and stay for the duration. Be respectful
of your classmates and instructors by listening to them and learning from them. We will take
attendance for our records--please sign the attendance sheet circulated at each class meeting.
Stellar attendance may help a borderline average when grades are calculated at the end of the
semester.
2) A short paper on assigned fieldwork and your reactions to our first book, Mistaking Africa,
is due on 29 January. In this two-page paper you should respond to Curtis Keim’s
arguments and present your own impressions of “finding Africa” in the U.S. during
fieldwork. More information on this fieldwork assignment will be provided in class and on
Blackboard. Papers must be typed (double-spaced in 12 point size), stapled and printed
clearly. Make arrangements to secure the use of a stapler and professional printer ahead of
time. Papers are due at the beginning of class; Late papers will NOT be accepted. (15% of
the final grade)
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3) A map quiz on the location of Africa’s contemporary countries will be given on 7 February.
You must know the location and spelling of each country. A word bank will not be provided.
(5% of the final grade)
4) Blackboard Discussion Board Postings will focus on the documents and readings related to
the trans-Atlantic slave trade in our fourth unit. You should examine the documents and
think historically about them before making your contributions to the discussion board.
Details about this activity will be discussed in class and on Blackboard. (10% of the final
grade)
5) One mid-term examination will be given during the semester and it is due on 7 March.
This will be a take-home examination where you will be asked to integrate material from the
readings, lectures, films and discussions. Be prepared to write your responses to the essay
questions in a convincing and coherent manner. Late exams will not be accepted except in
cases of illness or comparable crisis. In these instances, students will be required to meet
with the instructor and present a timely and appropriate explanation (such as a physician’s
note) for the absence. (25% of the final grade)
6) A three-page paper based on one assigned book is due on the day of our first class
discussion of that book. (See schedule below for exact dates.) You will write only one
paper, but you may choose from the following three authors assigned for this class: D. T.
Niane, Chinua Achebe or Philip Gourevitch. The due date will depend on the book that you
have selected. In your paper, you should provide your reactions to the work by
demonstrating that you have read the book and thought about its wider significance. You
may wish to comment or course themes as well. Papers must be typed (double-spaced in 12
point size), stapled and printed clearly. Papers are due at the beginning of class; Late papers
will NOT be accepted. (20% of the final grade)
7) A final exam will draw on themes raised throughout the course, with an emphasis on course
material covered since the mid-term. A study guide will be provided. In accordance with
university policy, the exam is on Wednesday 16 May from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (25% of
the final grade)

The course schedule outlined below is subject to change, and assignments may be
modified or added throughout the semester at the discretion of the instructor.

The following scale will be used to evaluate individual assignments and determine the
final course grade:
A
90-100 Exceptional, excellent work--a cut far above the ordinary
B
80-89 Very good work--far from average but with room for improvement
C
70-79 Average work that is quite problematic--needs much improvement
D
60-69 Poor quality work that is barely passing--below average
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F

0-59
Unacceptable work that fails to meet the assignment’s expectations
KU has an office that coordinates accommodations and services for all students who are
eligible. If you have a disability for which you wish to request accommodations please
contact me privately in regard to your needs in this course. Note that it is your
responsibility to contact and follow-up with the instructor about accommodations
throughout the semester.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
All forms of academic misconduct--including, but not restricted to cheating, fabrication and
falsification, plagiarism, facilitating academic misconduct, and tampering with materials, grades,
or records--carry severe penalties, including possible failure in this course. If you are unfamiliar
with proper citation methods for papers, consult the instructor. In this course, citations to page
numbers in a book under discussion may be placed in parenthetical references at the end of a
sentence (For example: p. X). Plagiarism is the theft of ideas or information from a source
without proper credit. It is your responsibility to know what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.
Plagiarism is a serious offense that could lead to failure in this course.
COURSE WEBSITE:
Posted on Blackboard at http://courseware.ku.edu
Be sure to visit the site after our first meeting and familiarize yourself with it. Important
information is posted on Blackboard in lieu of announcements and class handouts. You will
want to read the introduction and study questions posted for each of the nine course units.
Grades will also be recorded on the site.
COURSE UNITS & CLASS SCHEDULE
THE COURSE IS ORGANIZED INTO NINE UNITS:
1. MISTAKING AFRICA & TAKING AFRICAN HISTORY
AN INTRODUCTION TO AFRICA & THE COURSE
2. EARLY HISTORIES: ANCIENT AFRICA
AN OVERVIEW OF PRECOLONIAL AFRICA
3. THE SUNDIATA EPIC & OLD MALI
A FOCUS ON WEST AFRICAN KINGDOMS & ONE HISTORICAL EPIC
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4. ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
DEALING WITH PRIMARY DOCUMENTS FROM THE ERA OF THE SLAVE TRADE
5. THINGS FALL APART & THE COLONIAL PERIOD
A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA & CHINUA ACHEBE’S NOVEL
6. SOUTHERN AFRICA: MYTHS & REALITIES
EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT, SEGREGATION & AFRICAN RESISTANCE
7. STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE
DECOLONIZATION & A RETURN TO INDEPENDENCE
8. ETHNICITY & NATIONALISM IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA
GENOCIDE IN RWANDA AND DARFUR
9. HISTORICAL LEGACIES & THE FUTURE OF AFRICA
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES FACING THE CONTINENT IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
UNIT 1
MISTAKING AFRICA & TAKING AFRICAN HISTORY
AN INTRODUCTION TO AFRICA & THE COURSE
January 22
Monday
Introduction to the Course & Africa
Reading: Carefully review the syllabus & the preface to your textbook, Africa in
World History, pp. xi-xiv; Begin reading Curtis Keim, Mistaking Africa
January 24
Wednesday
Stones and Bones/Cities and Villages
Film: Savannah Homecoming (PBS Africa series)
Reading: Chapters 1 and 2 of Africa in World History, pp. 1-36; Continue
reading Mistaking Africa
Assignment: Begin fieldwork to “find Africa”
January 29
Monday
Mistaking Africa
Discussion: Keim’s Book and Fieldwork Results
Reading: Complete Keim and fieldwork on “finding Africa”
* TWO-PAGE PAPER DUE ON KEIM AND FIELDWORK*
Note that this paper is not optional--it is required.
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UNIT 2
EARLY HISTORIES: ANCIENT AFRICA
AN OVERVIEW OF PRECOLONIAL AFRICA
January 31
Wednesday
Farming, Pastoralism, Iron-Working and Ancient Kingdoms
Reading: Chapters 3 and 4 of Africa in World History, pp. 37-70
February 5
Monday
Early History of Eastern Africa
Reading: Chapters 5 and 7 of Africa in World History, pp. 71-81; pp. 99-116
Assignment: STUDY the location of the continent’s contemporary countries for
the Map Quiz on 7 February.
February 7
Wednesday
States and Societies in Central and Southern Africa
Reading: None--Catch up if you are behind!
* Mapping Africa: MAP QUIZ TODAY (spelling matters) *
UNIT 3
THE SUNDIATA EPIC & OLD MALI
A FOCUS ON WEST AFRICAN KINGDOMS & ONE HISTORICAL EPIC
February 12 Film: Keita: The Heritage of the Griot
Monday
Reading: Begin Sundiata- An Epic of Old Mali
February 14 West African Kingdoms
Wednesday Film: Keita: The Heritage of the Griot (continued)
Reading: Chapter 6 of Africa in World History, pp. 82-98; Continue Sundiata
February 19 The Sundiata Epic and Islam in West Africa
Monday
Reading: Finish Sundiata- An Epic of Old Mali
* PAPER DUE, IF YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE ON NIANE *
UNIT 4
ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
DEALING WITH PRIMARY DOCUMENTS FROM THE ERA OF THE SLAVE TRADE
February 21 The Changing Uses of Ghana’s Slave Forts
Wednesday Reading: MacGonagle, “From Dungeons to Dance Parties” (on E-reserve)
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February 26 West Africa and the Atlantic Slave Trade
Monday
Reading: Chapters 8 and 9 of Africa in World History, pp. 117-79
February 27 Special (optional) Film Screening: Constant Gardener, 3140 Wescoe, 7 p.m.
February 28 Dealing with the Documents from the Atlantic Slave Trade
Wednesday Reading: Historical Documents on E-reserve
Assignment: Begin Postings on Blackboard’s Discussion Board (Details TBA)
Take-Home Exam Distributed
March 5
Monday
Dealing with the Documents from the Atlantic Slave Trade (continued)
Discussion of the Documents and Postings
Reading: Chapter 10 of Africa in World History, pp. 180-200
Assignment: Continue Postings on Blackboard’s Discussion Board
March 6
Special (optional) Film Screening: Darwin's Nightmare, 3139 Wescoe, 7 p.m
March 7
Wednesday
TAKE-HOME MID-TERM EXAM DUE
UNIT 5
THINGS FALL APART & THE COLONIAL PERIOD
A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA & CHINUA ACHEBE’S NOVEL
March 12
Monday
European Conquest and the Partitioning of Africa
Reading: Chapter 11 of Africa in World History, pp. 201-18; Begin Achebe’s
Things Fall Apart
March 14
Wednesday
Film and Discussion: This Magnificent African Cake
Reading: Chapter 13 of Africa in World History, pp. 238-57; Continue Things
Fall Apart
Spring Break is next week, 19-23 March
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March 26
Monday
The Case of Nigeria and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart
Discussion: Why Things Fell Apart
Reading: Finish Things Fall Apart
* PAPER DUE, IF YOU CHOOSE ACHEBE *
March 28
Wednesday
Conquest, Consolidation and Colonialism
Reading: Chapters 14 and 15 of Africa in World History, pp. 258-305
UNIT 6
SOUTHERN AFRICA: MYTHS & REALITIES
EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT, SEGREGATION & AFRICAN RESISTANCE
April 2
Monday
Myths and Realities in South Africa
Reading: Chapter 12 of Africa in World History, pp. 219-37
April 4
Wednesday
Legacies of Apartheid--Film and Discussion: Mama Awethu!
Reading: Chapter 16 of Africa in World History, pp. 306-22
April 9
Monday
African Responses to Colonial Rule & Settler Societies
Reading: Chapter 17 of Africa in World History, pp. 323-50
UNIT 7
THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE
DECOLONIZATION & A RETURN TO INDEPENDENCE
April 11
Wednesday
Independence Struggles
Reading: Chapter 18 of Africa in World History, pp. 351-68
April 16
Monday
Connections between Africa and the Diaspora
Reading: TBA
April 18
Wednesday
Liberation in Southern Africa
Reading: TBA
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UNIT 8
ETHNICITY & NATIONALISM IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA
GENOCIDE IN RWANDA AND DARFUR
April 23
Monday
Ethnicity and Nationalism in Independent Africa
Reading: Begin Philip Gourevitch’s We Wish to Inform You . . .
April 25
Wednesday
Genocide in Rwanda
Film & Discussion: The Triumph of Evil
Reading: Continue Philip Gourevitch’s We Wish to Inform You . . .
April 30
Monday
Discussion of Genocide in Rwanda & Darfur
Reading: Complete Philip Gourevitch’s We Wish to Inform You . . .
* PAPER DUE, IF YOU CHOOSE GOUREVITCH *
UNIT 9
HISTORICAL LEGACIES & THE FUTURE OF AFRICA
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES FACING THE CONTINENT IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
May 2
Wednesday
Women, Work and Rocks
Film: These Hands
Reading: Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Minutes of Glory (on E-reserve)
May 7
Monday
Human Rights and Environmental Issues: Contemporary African Views
Reading: Selections from Ken Saro Wiwa (on E-reserve)
May 9
Wednesday
Closing Thoughts - The Future of Africa & Why History Matters
LAST CLASS
May 16
Wednesday
FINAL EXAM from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Bring a blank blue book with nothing written on the cover or the inside--not even
your name.
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Suggestions for Further Reading:

See pages 381-384 in Gilbert & Reynold’s text.

On Rwanda: Me Against My Brother: At War in Somalia, Sudan and Rwanda
Scott Peterson (Routledge, 2000)
Leave None to Tell the Story: Genocide in Rwanda
Alison Des Forges (Human Rights Watch, 1999)
The Rwanda Crisis: History of a Genocide
Gerard Prunier (Hurst and Co., 1995)

Other works by Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Ken Saro Wiwa
Suggested Websites for news on Africa:
http://allAfrica.com (All Africa News Wire)
www.reliefweb.int/IRIN (Integrated Regional Information Networks)
www.intl-crisis-group.org (International Crisis Group)
www.africa-confidential.com (Africa Confidential)
Other Africa-related Sites:
http://www.kasc.ku.edu/ (Kansas African Studies Center at KU)
www.africanstudies.org (African Studies Association)
www.h-net.msu.edu/~africa/ (H-Net Gateway to African Studies)
http://www.state.gov/p/af/ (U.S. State Dept., Bureau of African Affairs)
www.africaaction.org (The Africa Fund & Africa Policy Information Center)
www.peacecorps.gov/countries/africa.cfm (The Peace Corps in Africa)
www.africana.com (Site described as “Gateway to the Black World”)
Visit the course website on Blackboard for more links
The fastest way to Africa is online--Travel well!