29729 - African History and Institutions (1) (LM) (G.B)

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will have an in-depth and detailed knowledge of the major events of African history from the end of colonialism to 1994, with the fall of the apartheid regime in South Africa. You will be familiar with the historiographical debate on decolonization and the post-colonial State.

Course contents

This course focuses on the history of Africa from the end of colonialism after WWII until the fall of the apartheid regime in South Africa in 1994. The course will be divided in two parts. We will start with an introduction to the main characteristics of colonialism in Africa and then analyze the main elements of the decolonization process: African nationalism, Panafricanism, négritude and WWII. Particular attention will be given to the legacy of colonialism to African independent States. The second part of the course will focus on specific case studies in order to understand the dynamics of political, economic, cultural and social change that took place in Africa from 1940s onwards. A previous undergraduate course on pre-colonial and colonial Africa is desirable, but not required.

Readings/Bibliography

FOR STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING THE CLASSES (6 CFU):
J. Iliffe, Popoli dell'Africa. Storia di un continente, Milano, Mondadori, 2007.
I. Taddia, Etiopia 1800-1900. Le strategie del potere tra l'Africa e l'Italia, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2013
I. Taddia, B. Nicolini (a cura di), Il corno d'Africa tra medicina, politica e storia, Aprilia, Novalogos, 2011 (you will select four essays)

STUDENTS ATTENDING THE CLASSES:
See the section "assessment methods"

Teaching methods

The course is formed by lectures and by discussions of assigned works at home, that the students will prepare in groups. Students will read articles in historical journals, political and literary writings by African intellectuals, historical documents and present and discuss them in class. We will also watch videos and documentary films and discuss them.

Assessment methods

STUDENTS ATTENDING THE COURSE: you will be evaluated on the basis of your participation to discussions and group works.  You will also have two writing commitments: a short paper (10 pages) in which you will look at the historical roots of a contemporary African event (suggestions for topics will be given in class); a book review (2-3 pages) of a historical novel by an African author (the list will be given by Prof. Pallaver at the beginning of the course). Specific information on how to write the paper and the book review will be given at the beginning of the course.

The final mark will be formed in this way:

- participation to seminars and group works: 40%

 - paper: 40%

- book review: 20%


STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING THE COURSE: you will read all the books assigned (see the "recommended reading" section) and be able to demonstrate that you are familiar with the major events taking place in Africa from the end of colonialism until 1994. You will also be able to discuss thematic essays and connect them to more general historical trends. You will use an appropriate terminology and express your ideas in a coherent and articulate way.  

Teaching tools

Group readings and discussions; documentary films

Office hours

See the website of Karin Pallaver