Swahili History, Civilization and Culture

This course offers an introduction to the history of the language, its people and their culture from the pre-Bantu period to today. The influence of Arabs, Europeans and others will be examined. The course also offers an elementary overview of Swahili literature.

Knowledge

The candidate:

- Has knowledge of the history of the language and its people from pre-Bantu times to the present day.
- Has knowledge of the civilization and culture of the Swahili.
- Has knowledge of the influence of Arabs, Europeans and other people on the Swahili.
- Has knowledge of the development and influence of Swahili as a lingua franca and national language.
- Has elementary overview over Swahili literature.

Skills
The candidate:

- Can give an account of the history of the language, its civilization and culture.
- Has knowledge of the central themes, ways of evaluating the problems within Swahili history, civilization, culture and social relations.
- Understands the intricate relationships that exist in Swahili societies along the coast and islands and on the mainland and their influence on the Swahili people.
- Understands how people of different backgrounds and origins who have Swahili as a lingua franca and/or national language forge a common identity and define their common interests.
- Understands Swahili's role as a bridge builder for African people on the continent and in the diaspora.

Lectures.
Obligatory exercises must be approved before the student may sit the home examination.