This course introduces students to pre colonial African cultures, civilizations, traditions, religions, political economies, pre colonial African democracies, and states from antiquity through the sixteenth century. It addresses these complex issues from critical, historical, theoretical and multi-disciplinary perspectives. While critically and comprehensively debunking racist assumptions and misinformation about the African peoples, this course attempts to show to the students the humanity of the African peoples and their contributions to the world civilizations and cultures.
The grade of this course will be based on two exams, class attendance and active participation,
and group presentation. The format for the exams will be an essay and short answer, based on
assigned readings, lectures, discussions, and films. Every group (five members) must select one
region or ethnic group and becomes a resource group for the class. At the end of the semester,
every group is going to report on its selected region or ethnic group. Every member of the group
must perform his/her duties both professionally and ethically. If a group member is not fulfilling
her/his obligations, the group must report to the professor. You need to discuss with the
professor about your project, and develop a one page proposal at the midterm. Further, every
student is required to read his/her reading assignments.
The exams, attendance/participation, and presentation are weighed as follows:
Two exams 70%
Attendance/participation 15%
Group presentation 15%
90-100 = A
85-89 = B+
80-84 = B
75-79 = C+
70-74 = C
65-69 = D
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE
INTRODUCTION
8/27 Introductory remarks
ANCIENT AFRICA
9/1 Basil Davidson, pp. 1-46
9/3 Basil Davidson, pp. 49-73; Asante, pp. 3-40
9/8 Film: "Black Athena"; library, room, 253; Asante, pp. 43-158
9/10 Asante, pp. 161-193
9/15 Monges, pp. 1-60
9/17 Monges, pp. 63-122
9/22 Monges, pp. 125-154
9/24 Monges, pp. 155-187; Film: "Different But Equal";
library, room 213
EARLY EAST AFRICA
9/29 Basil Davidson, pp. 128-166
10/1 Basil Davidson, pp. 169-200; Film: "Caravans of Gold";
library, room 213
EARLY WEST AFRICA
10/6 Basil Davidson, pp.77-124
10/8 Film: "Kings and Cities"; library, room 213
10/13 First exam, 35%
10/15-16 (Fall break, no classes)
pre colonial AFRICAN DEMOCRACIES
10/20 Asmaron Legesse, pp. 50-117; A brief report by each
group on a selected region or ethnic group
10/22 Lemmu Baissa, pp. 47-52 (see in The Journal of Oromo
Studies, vol. 1, no. 2 Winter 1994, Hodges Library,
periodical); Herbert S. Lewis, 53-58 (see the above
journal)
10/27 Kuwee Kumsa, pp. 115-152, in The Journal of Oromo Studies,
vol. 4, numbers 1 & 2, July 1997 (in library)
10/29 Asafa Jalata, pp. 27-49; in A. Jalata, Oromo Nationalism
and the Ethiopian Discourse.
AFRICA AND THE WORLD
11/3 Basil Davidson, pp. 203-241
11/5 Film: "The Nature of a Continent"
CRITICAL AFRICAN STUDIES
11/10 A..Jalata, "The Struggle for Knowledge: The Case of
Emergent Oromo Studies," African Studies Review, pp. 95-123,
(in library); V. Y. Mudimbe, pp. Ix-23
11/12 V. Y. Mudimbe, pp. 24-70
11/17 V. Y. Mudimbe, pp. 71-97
11/19 V. Y. Mudimbe, pp. 98-134
11/24 V. Y. Mudimbe, pp. 135-200
11/26-27 Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes)
12/1 Group presentation
12/3 Group Presentation
12/8 Group presentation
12/10 Group presentation
11/14 Second exam, 35%
AAAS 202 Introduction to African American Studies
AAAS 211 Introduction to African Studies
AAAS 421 Comparative Studies in African & African-American Societies
AAAS 480 Black Communities in Urban America
Soc 343 Race & Ethnicity
Soc 442 Comparative Poverty & Development
Soc 446 The Modern World System
Soc 543 Introduction to Development
Soc 645 Advanced Studies in Political Economy
Academic Resume