Introduction to Traditional Africa HIS 311K (39245) — AFR 310L (30375) — AHC 310 (32927)
Class hours and location: T & TH 11.00a–12.30p; CLA 1.104
Instructor: Toyin Falola
Email: [email protected] Office hours, Instructor: T & TH 2.00p–3.00 in GAR 2.142
TA: Abikal Borah Office hours: Email:
Description
This is an introductory, inter-disciplinary course on the peoples and cultures of Africa, designed for students with a limited background in African studies as well as those who want to improve their understanding of this huge continent. The course is divided into two parts, one on a survey history and the other on aspects of culture. The subjects cover the long historical era known as the precolonial, which terminated at the turn of the twentieth century when Africa came under European rule. Among the main themes are: early history, kingdoms, interactions with external agencies, and various institutions and customs of society. Readings are drawn from two textbooks, two monographs. The books deal with essential outline histories and dense interpretive literature on a few issues. Films provide visual illustrations and additional perspectives.
Goals
i.) To use a combination of films, lectures and reading materials to introduce students to a number of themes in African history and cultures.
ii.) To enable students to reflect on a number of issues in order to reach independent conclusions.
iii.) To provide an adequate background that will prepare students for other courses on Africa.
iv.) To improve the writing and analytical skills of students, by introducing them to the craft of history writing.
Required Materials
Toyin Falola, ed., Africa, Vol. 1, African History Before 1885 (Carolina Academic Press, 2000).
Toyin Falola, ed., Africa, Vol. 2, African Cultures and Societies Before 1885 (Carolina Academic Press, 2000).
*** Books are available at Co-op. Students can also use the Internet to order direct from the publishers or through Amazon.com
Evaluation and points--100%
2 i.) Film Review of In Search of Human Origins 25% October 17
ii.) Mid-Term Examination—Take Home 25% October 19 (Two essay questions, at least three pages on each)
iii.) Class attendance and participation 25%
iv.) Final examination—Take Home 25% December 7 (Two essay questions, at least three pages on each)
Part A: Historical Themes
August 31 Introduction
About the course
Integrative Approach: About short presentations by students in class and other interactive methods
About Africa: Geography and the concept of Africa
Reading: Africa vol. 1, Chapter 2: “The Geography of Africa.”
September 5 The Study of Africa
Discuss the growth of African studies and the various approaches to the understanding of Africa.
Reading: Africa vol. 1, Chapter 1: “The Study of Africa in Historical Perspective.”
September 7 Understanding the early period: methods and issues
Reading: Africa vol. 1, Chapter 3: “Early History: Traditions of Origins and Archaeological Interpretations.”
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September 12 Video illustration and discussion
Basil Davidson, Africa: A Voyage of Discovery. Episode 1: “Different but Equal” DVD 11025 (VIDCASS 5381)
September 14 Upper Nile and North Africa
Reading: Africa vol. 1, Chapter 4: “Civilizations of the Upper Nile and North Africa”
September 19 Kingdoms of West Africa
Reading: Africa vol. 1, Chapter 6: “Sudanese Kingdoms of West Africa.” Reading: Africa vol. 1, Chapter 7: “Kingdoms of West Africa: Benin, Oyo and Asante.”
September 21 Video illustration and discussion
Basil Davidson, Africa. Episode 3: “Caravans of Gold”
September 26 Kingdoms of East Africa
Reading: Africa vol. 1, Chapter 8: “East African States.”
September 28 Video illustration and discussion
Basil Davidson, Africa. Episode 4: “Kings and Cities”
TA to discuss the guidelines for film review
October 3, 5, & 10 Video illustration and discussion
4 Three parts of In Search of Human Origins VIDCASS 4127
a) “The Story of Lucy” b) “Surviving in Africa” c) “The Creative Revolution”
October 12 Discussion of In Search of Human Origins
What knowledge is offered in the series? What is the update on human origins? What are the controversies? Why is this important to Africa?
October 17 Africa and Europe
Reading: Africa vol. 1, Chapter 17: “Africa and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.” Reading: Africa vol. 1, Chapter 18: “Euro-African Relations to 1885.”
***Film Review due October 17
***Mid-Term Exam distributed
October 19 Video illustration and discussion
Basil Davidson, Africa Episode 5: “The Bible and the Gun”
Take Home Mid-Term Examination due
5 Part B Themes on Culture
October 24 The Idea of Culture
Reading: Africa vol. 2, Introduction & Chapter 1: “The Study of Culture.” October 26 Marriage and Kinship
Reading: Africa vol. 2, Chapter 3: “Social Institutions.”
October 31 & November 2 Intellectual History and Education
Keita: Heritage of the Griot DVD 7018 (VIDCASS 5267) https://utexas.kanopystreaming.com/video/keita-heritage-griot
Reading: Africa vol. 2, Chapter 4: “Education.”
November 7 Explorations in Culture
Ali Mazrui, The Africans: A Triple Heritage Part 1: “The Nature of a Continent” DVD 7065 (VIDCASS 1649)
November 9 & 14 Religions
Africa vol. 2, Chapter 5: “Indigenous Religions.” __. Chapter 6: “Talking to God: Divination Systems.” __. Chapter 7: “Islam.” __. Chapter 8: “Christianity.”
November 16 Economy
Africa vol. 2, Chapter 10: “Pastoralism” __. Chapter 11: “Agriculture, Trade and Industries.”
November 21 Art
Africa vol. 2, Chapter 14: “Art”
November 28 Music
6 Africa vol. 2, Chapter 15: “Music”
November 30 Oral Literature
Africa vol. 2, Chapter 16: “Written and Oral Literature.”
December 5 Video illustrations
Ali Mazrui, The Africans Part 8: “Clash of Culture”
***Final Exam distributed
December 7
Turn in Take Home Final Exam
Instructions for writing film review
1. Reviews should be no less than 3 pp. and no more than 5 pp., typed and double spaced.
2. Film reviews should be analytical, and not just a retelling of the narrative. The best way to do this is by synthesizing the narrative in your own mind and then critically examining such things as the historical content, style and the overall impression the film or documentary had on you. You will probably want to assess how the book fits in with particular topics or themes we are developing in the course. Feel free to express your own opinion, but do so clearly. Organize and develop the main points you wish to make and re-emphasize them in a conclusion.
3. To keep in mind: Give your opinion of the film. What are your overall impressions? Likes and dislikes? Make sure to provide impartial details that support your assessments of the film. Understand that you are writing to an academic audience. Facts and specifics are mandatory, as is objective prose. Saying something “sucks” or
7 “stinks” is unacceptable unless you can back up your opinions with facts. Give an outline of the film without excessive details. Too much detail will result in summarization, which you want to avoid. Make sure to analyze documentary representations of history. How is the film’s structure? Does the narrative flow? Are there continuity gaps? How does the film use music? How does the music add or distract from the story and your connection with the film? Remember that this is a history class and that readings go along with the films. How does the film bring to light aspects in the readings, or vice versa?
4. Proofread your review before submitting it.
5. Turn your review in on time (that means at the beginning of class in the assigned day), because late reviews will be penalized.
Style of footnotes and bibliography
Please, follow this style carefully for all the papers, reviews, reports, etc. Failure to do so will mean points deducted from your grade.
Footnotes
Historical style only; numbered sequentially, at bottom of the page.
First citation: full reference.
Book: author (first name first), title (place: Publisher, date), pp.
Toyin Falola, Violence in Nigeria: The Crisis of Religious Politics and Secular Ideologies (Rochester: University of Rochester Press, 1998), pp. 9-23.
Article in Journal: author (first name first), “title,” journal Vol., issue no. (date): pp.
Toyin Falola, "The Yoruba Toll System," Journal of African History 30, no. 1 (1989): pp. 41- 63.
Article in Book: author (first name first), “title,” in name/names of editor(s), ed(s), title (place: Publisher, date), pp.
Toyin Falola, "The Imperial Experience: Africa," in P. J. Marshall, ed., British Empire (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996), pp. 347-356.
Subsequent Citations
8 Book: last name of author, short title, pp.
Article: last name of author, “short title,” pp.
If the same source is cited in the next following footnote, use Ibid., pp.
Bibliography-- Historical style, alphabetically, as follows:
Book: author (last name first). title. Place: publisher, date.
Article in Journal: author (last name first). “Title.” Journal Vol., issue no. (Date): range of pages of article.
Article in Book: author (last name first), “title”, in name/names of editors (first names first), ed(s), title, pp. page range of article. Place: publisher, date.
(Note: If there is more than one author of a book or article, list the first with last name first and the second with first name first.)
If you copy a map, table, graph, etc., for inclusion with your paper, you must give a full citation.
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