African Cultural Studies 277: Africa ⎻ An Introductory Survey

This course is designed to be a multi-disciplinary introduction to the cultures and history of Africa. It is available to students as African Cultural Studies 277, Afro-American Studies 277, Anthropology 277, Geography 277, History 277, Political Science 277, or Sociology 277. Because Africa contains a remarkable array of languages, societies, and peoples, we cannot hope for exhaustive coverage. However, we will visit most major regions of the continent at least once during the semester, while we will explore a variety of themes and topics. We hope that you will take away from the course an understanding not just of what to think about the history, cultures, and politics of Africa, but also how to think about this part of the world.

Lecture and discussion section meetings

• Africans and the creation of the modern world
• Africans in the World During the Slave Trade Era
• Abolition
• Scramble for Africa
• Colonial Rule
• Decolonization
• Gender and Politics
• Religion and Politics
• Popular Music
• Film and Television
• Popular Literature
• Health and Healing