Modern African History

This course provides an advanced overview of the main issues in modern African history (Africa south of the Sahara) in the period from ca. 1700 to the present. The goal is to provide detailed insights into the important processes that brought change to African communities, as seen from a long historical perspective. Important processes includes the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, post-colonialism and democratization. Africa will be examined in a global context, with contact and interaction with the rest of the world as a central theme. Both external and internal factors will be considered in discussions of Africa's development. The course will also contextualize and problematize perceptions of Africa that have been created since the 18th century and discuss how and why these perceptions in many instances preserver, also in Norway.

A candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome according to the course curriculum, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge base

Candidates have

• gained a thorough knowledge of the central political, economic and social themes in the history of Africa from the 18th century (1700s) to the present
• gained an advanced knowledge of the different historical perspectives that are used in explaining developments in Africa from the 18th century (1700s) to the present
• gained thorough understanding of continuities and breaks in perceptions of Africa

Skills

Candidates

• can account for the central historical processes that trigger changes in African development from the 18th century (1700s) to the present
• can explain the function of different perceptions of Africa
• can explain continuities and breaks in perceptions of Africa
• can demonstrate capability to focus, reason, and argue well when dealing with themes from African history
• can can write an expository essay on central themes in African history from the period

Lectures and seminars. Two seminar presentations that are obligatory and must be passed to sit the exam. Passed assignments are valid for the three following semesters. Six-hour final examination.