HIST 252/3.0: Africa in the Modern World

This course is available to both Queen’s and non-Queen’s students. Non-Queen’s students (including interest students, visiting students, and new online degree students) must first apply for admission. The following course description is presented for informational purposes only and is subject to change.

Instructor

Deanne van Tol Learn more about the instructor...
E-mail: deannevantol@gmail.com

 

Course Description

This online history course is an examination of Africa's involvement in modern world history. Course covers material from the slave trade to the crumbling of European empires. Major topics include: Pre-colonial African states, slavery, imperialism, the colonial state, African protest and resistance, and women's issues, among other topics.

Introduction

The great Arab scholar, Ibn Khaldun, defined history, in the fourteenth century, as:

the record of human society, or world civilization; of the changes that take place in the nature of human society… of revolutions and uprisings by one set of people against another, with the resulting kingdoms and states with various ranks; of the different activities and occupations of men, whether for gaining their livelihood or in various sciences and crafts; and in general, of all transformations that society undergoes by its very nature. (Prolegomena 1, 56)

With these words of Ibn Ikhadun, you are welcomed to HIST 252/3.0 'Africa in the Modern World'.

This is an introductory course on the history of modern Africa, with a particular focus on the history of Sub-Saharan Africa. The course offers students the opportunity to gain a general background in African history and introduces students to some events and themes that they can explore further, such as the exoticisation of Africa, slavery and the slave-trade, Africa's contact with Europe, colonization, African resistance, independence and development.

I hope you find it a stimulating and worthwhile learning experience.

 

Course Topics

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More information:

• Computer Requirements and Internet Access
• Moodle, Our Online Learning Environment 
• Academic Integrity
• Evaluation
• Suggested Time Commitment
• Required Material