Introduction to African Civilizations (Afro 1004)
Term: Fall 2014
Room: R513
Days/Times: Monday 7:00 P.M.-9:45 PM
Professor: David Mulumba
Office Hours: Tues/Wed/Thurs 1:00-4:00 PM
Description: This course deals with the evolution of man and woman in the Plateau of East, Central and
Southern Africa, the struggle to master the environment, the development of socio-political systems
throughout the continent, the introduction of metallurgy, migrations, the growth of civilizations and the
rise of City States, the slave trade, colonization, nationalism, independence and nation building.
Objective:
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3)
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6)
To show that Africa is the original home of mankind.
To explain the geographical and socio economic diversity of the African continent.
To study pre-colonial political systems.
To analyze the causes and the course of the European colonization of Africa
To explain the strategies by means of which Africans regained their independence
To examine different approaches toward nation building.
Books
1) Mine Boy, Abrahams
2) Things Fall Apart-expanded, Chinua Achebe, 96th Ed.
3) Africans and Their History, Revised, Harris 2nd 98TH Ed.
Oral and Written Assignments:
1. Every student will give one oral and written presentation. It will be of the students choosing
from one of the following works:
a. Mongo Beti: Mission to Kala
b. Wole, Soyinka: Death and the Kings Horseman
c. Chinua Achebe: No Longer at Ease
d. Ngnugi Wa Thiongo: Weep Not, Child
e. Poter Abrahams: Mine Boy
Assignments:
First meeting 9/2/14: Introduction
Video: Africa: Different But Equal
Discussion of Different but Equal
2nd Meeting 9/09/14:
J.Harris A Tradition of Myths and Stereotypes
J. Harris: The evolution of early African Societies
J. Harris: Early Kingdom and City States
3rd Meeting 9/16/14:
J. Harris: Africa and the World 1400-1850
J. Harris: The Expansion of Africa
Video: Caravans of Gold
4THMeeting 9/16/14:
J. Harris: Repatriation and the Development of a Pan-African Tradition
Review
Quiz
5THMeeting 9/23/14:
J. Harris: Politics and state Building
J. Harris: Politics and state Building: Central and Southern Africa
J. Harris: Politics and state Building: Central and Southern Africa continued
6th meeting 9/30/14
J. Harris: The scramble and partition
Let instructor know the book you will review
7th meeting 10/7/14 Midterm
8th Meeting 10/14/14 Video
9th meeting 10/21/14 J. Harris African Diplomacy Resistance
Chinua Achebe: Things fall apart
10th meeting 10/28/14:
Chinua Achebe: Things fall apart
11th Meeting 11/4/14:
J. Harris: Colonial Policies & Practices
Video: The Rise of Nationalism
(Let the instructor know which book you have chosen for oral review)
12th Meeting 11/11/14:
J. Harris: The Struggle for Independence
13th meeting 11/18/14
Book reviews-oral presentation
14th 11/25/14meeting
Peter Abrahams: Mine Boy (entirely)
Harris: Transformation in Namibia and Southern Africa
15th Week 12/2/14
Harris: Quest for Unity
12/15/14
Final exam