School of Humanities  
 
 
HIS-30110 The Making of Contemporary Africa I  
Co-ordinator: Dr Rachel Bright   Tel:33466  
Teaching Team: Miss Amanda  Roberts, Mrs Christine  Edge, Dr Shalini Sharma, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts, Dr Rachel  Bright  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

History Dual Honours (Level 3)
History Major (Level 3)
History Minor (Level 3)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Barred Combinations

None

Prerequisites

N/A

Description

Can a continent possess 'a history' or 'a people'? To what extent are ideas of Africa and Africans still tied to race, violence or other colonial legacies? What of other factors, such as pre-colonial African culture, Islam, or the environment? To understand the ways we imagine Africa today, the module examines the cultural, political and economic dialogues which took place regarding Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries. Students will analyse the various images of Africa (its people, environment and history) which have developed within particular historical and regional contexts, such as slavery, the African diaspora, European colonisation, sex and religion from c.1800 through WWII. While the main focus will be on English-language primary sources and British colonies, there will also be a chance to compare different colonial systems and their legacies within Africa, especially the French and Belgian empires. It will also explore the ways in which Africans responded to colonisation and how local interpretations of Africa emerged. This will enable students to critically analyse a variety of historiographical approaches to African history and introduce them to a range of primary source materials which have been utilised by historians to interpret key events and processes. For example, students will have a chance to read African and British literature, in addition to official colonial records, films, photography and other images depicting Africa.

Linked Module: HIS-30113


Aims

Can a continent possess "a history" or "a people"? Students will analyse the various images of Africa (its people, environment and history) which have developed within particular historical contexts, such as slavery, the African diaspora, European colonisation, Islam, as well as indigenous African responses in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Specific case studies of French and British colonies will be included.


Intended Learning Outcomes

recognise and explain the changing ways in which people perceived Africa and Africans, both inside and outside the continent in the 19th and early 20th centuries, engaging critically with the formation of African history and identity will be achieved by assessments: 2,3
relate case studies and examples of historical change, especially within the British and French empires, to broader thematic issues in the historiography of colonial Africa and the special boundaries of historical research will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
evaluate and critically assess a range of primary sources and apply them appropriately within historical analysis
will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
distinguish between and critically evaluate different academic interpretations and explanations for the events under examination, including from disciplines other than history will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Develop the capacity for independent thought and communicate such thoughts clearly and effectively through class discussion and through written assessment will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3


Study hours

10 x two-hour seminars
40 hours seminar preparation
20 exercise preparation and completion
30 hours essay research and writing
40 hours preparation for a take-home examination



Description of Module Assessment

01: Portfolio weighted 20%
Portfolio
Students will occasionally be asked to write a short 200-word analysis of relevant primary sources in preparation for seminar discussion. The primary source will not count as part of the word count. Notes will be collected at the end of the relevant seminars.

02: Essay weighted 40%
2000-word essay
The essay will be chosen from a list of questions related to each week's topic or agreed with the module tutor in advance.

03: Seen Exam weighted 40%
Take-home examination
A seen thirty-two hour take-home examination in which students will be expected to answer two essay questions from a list of eight.


Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.