14432 - Modern and Contemporary History of Africa (1)

Learning outcomes

This is an introductory course to African history from 19th to mid 20th century. At the end of the course you will have a detailed knowledge of the major historical events taking place in Africa in this period and be able to situate these events in the framework of global historical trends. You will be aware of the major historiographical debates, especially regarding slave trades (Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Trans-saharan) and colonialism, and understand what is the contribution of Africanists to these dabates. You will be familiar with the sources used by historians of Africa and be able to use the appropriate terminology when writing and talking about African history.

Course contents

The course begins on 1 February 2016
MON-TUE-WED 13-15h, aula 1, via Zamboni 38

In this course we will study the history of Africa South of the Sahara from the Atlantic slave trade until the colonial period. In order to balance historical breadth with depth, the main aim of the course is to use some selected case-studies to highlight major historical trends and see their effects on the local level. The first lectures are an introduction to the history of the continent. We will discuss the idea of "Africa without history", the evolution of the historical studies on Africa and the sources that Africanists have at their disposal. We will then analyze the slave trades - local, Atlantic,  and Indian ocean- and highlight their economic, social and political effects on the African societies involved. We will continue with the origins of imperialism, in order to see how Western scientific and technological discoveries, the European political and economic situation, the 19th-century racism as well as the work of missionaries and explorers put the basis for the scramble for Africa. We will then see the reaction of African societies to the colonial occupation and give some examples of the colonial encounter. We will then go to the core of the colonial period, with an analysis of the different forms of colonialism: German, Belgian, British and French. Particular attention will be given to the early developments of African nationalism and to the various forms of reactions and resistance to  colonialism. The last lectures will be on some selected countries - i.e. Rwanda and South Africa- and is aimed at historicizing African conflicts.

Readings/Bibliography

READING LIST FOR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT ATTEND CLASSES:  
 a) P. Valsecchi, G. Calchi Novati, Africa: la storia ritrovata. Dalle prime forme politiche alle indipendenze nazionali, Roma, Carocci, 2005.
 
b) One of the following books: 
H.S. Klein, Il commercio atlantico degli schiavi, Carocci Editore, Roma, 2014 [you can read the English version];
G. Lydon, On Trans-saharan African Trails. Islamic Law, Trade Networks and Cross-Cultural Exchange in 19th-century Western Africa, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2009 (only chapters 1, 2, 3 and 5);
K. Pallaver, Un'Altra Zanzibar. Schiavitù, colonialismo e urbanizzazione a Tabora, (1840-1916), Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2010;
J. Thornton, L'Africa e gli africani nella formazione del mondo atlantico, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2010, "Introduzione" and part 1 "Gli africani in Africa", pp. 9-178 [you can read the English version].
  
c)  One of the following books:  
F. Cooper, Africa since 1940: the Past of the Present, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2002;
M. Fusaschi, Hutu-Tutsi. Alle radici del genocidio rwandese, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2000;
M. Zamponi, Breve Storia del Sudafrica, Carocci Editore, Roma, 2009.




STUDENTS ATTENDING THE CLASSES will read  G. Calchi Novati, P. Valsecchi, Africa: la storia ritrovata (letter "a" above) and study the material provided in class. For the exam, you also have to read one of the books listed  under b) and one of the books listed under c).

Erasmus students who may prefer a reading list in English can contact Prof. Pallaver by e-mail.

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

During the oral exam you will be asked three questions: one on point a) of the reading list (general history), one on the book you have chosen from point b) and one on the book you have selected among those listed under c). For the students attending the classes the first question will be focused on the themes and issues discussed during the course. And teh other questions on the book chosen from the reading list. During the exam, you will have to show that you are familiar with the major events taking place in Africa from the 19th century until mid 20th century and be able to connect major historical trends with local African developments. To obtain a positive evaluation, you have to show that you are able to discuss methodological problems and use an appropriate terminology.  You have to read all the books assigned. If the reading list is not clear enough or you have problems in finding the texts, please contact Prof. Pallaver by e-mail.You can also ask for a reading list in English.

Teaching tools

We will use power point slides with images and maps. Various examples of archival documents, historical sources, African biographies, works by African intellectuals and writers, will be presented in order to hear, whenever possible, the "African voice" in relation to the historical events discussed. We will also watch and comment videos and documentary films.

Office hours

See the website of Karin Pallaver