OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide the knowledge and the methodological and theoretical skills necessary to interpret the social, political and economic transformations that have crossed Africa during the XIX and XX century. By focusing on the contemporary history of sub-Saharan Africa, concepts and methodological tools developed within African studies will be presented to demonstrate their relevance for making historical, geographical and cultural connections between Africa and the rest of the world.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the expected learning outcomes are the following:

Knowledge and understanding

• learning of basic skills to evaluate the 'historicity' of African peoples and societies;
• acquisition of knowledge to challenge and analyze stereotypes about societies and cultures of the continent critically;
• learning of the methodological and theoretical knowledge and skills necessary to interpret social, political and economic transformations that have crossed the African continent and determine its current position in the broader global economic and political context;
• acquisition of knowledge and skills to think on how concepts and tools developed within African studies can be used in various fields of work and social contexts;

Independent judgement

• developing skills to make independent judgements and to strengthen communication skills;

Communication skills

• acquisition of skills in reading, writing, and analyzing oral, photographic, audiovisual and musical sources;
• acquisition of skills in the construction of research paths and in-depth bibliography of concepts and themes addressed within the course.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Through debates, the presentation of innovative and challenging case studies, methodological and analytical insights, the course aims at improving students’ skills in presenting their historical research and analysis. Moreover, it is designed to refine conceptual and methodological tools in approaching colonial archives and oral sources; familiarise with the gender dimension in historical analysis; realise the heterogeneity of colonial experiences.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons will take place in person. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is divided into three modules: the first module offers a general introduction to the most important methodological and theoretical issues of the Africanist debate (historiographical and anthropological); the second module deals with the main historical processes that took place on the continent in contemporary times; the third module proposes to observe the events that characterized the continent in the 20th century from a historical-ethnographic perspective, taking into consideration West Africa.

1. Introductory module.

General introduction to the course and the most important methodological and theoretical issues of the Africanist debate (historiographical and anthropological). Presentation of historiographical sources of various kinds and identification of theoretical methodologies and frameworks necessary to understand the long-term impact of historical processes:

• Oral History;
• Postcolonial critic;
• Perspectives “from below”;

1. General module

In this part, the main historical processes that characterized the history of the XIX and XX centuries of the continent will be explored. In particular, we will focus on:

• Slave trade;
• Imperialism;
• Colonialism;
• Trade and migration;
• Liberation struggles;
• Decolonization processes;
• Post-independence development policies;
• Impact of structural adjustment policies;

1. Monographic module

Analysis of a case study: the Republic of Ghana. The following historical processes will be explored in detail:

• Anticolonial resistance;
• Urbanization;
• Migrations;
• Knowledge production;
• Religious movements;

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mandatory reading materials:

Reid J., 2011, A History of Modern Africa: 1800 to the Present, Chichester: John Wiley & Sons (part II, chaps. 5, 6, 7 excluded).

Cooper F., 2021, Africa contemporanea. Dalla decolonizzazione a oggi, Roma, Carocci.

AND a collection of essays prepared by the teacher, which will be made available online (5 of your choice):

Anabila A., 2020, Tindaanaship and tindaanas in traditional Gurensi (Frafra) communities: Land use and practices, Africa, vol. 90, n.4, pp. 667-682.

Bayart F., Ellis S., Hibou B., 1999, “From kleptocracy to the felonious state?”, in The Criminalization of the State in Africa, Oxford: James Currey, pp. 1-31.

Comaroff J., Comaroff J., 1991, Of Revelation and Revolution . Christianity, Colonialism, and Consciousness in South Africa, vol. I, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, Cap. V: “Through the looking glass. Heroic journeys, First Encounters”, pp. 170-197.

Fanon F., 2004 [1961], The Wretched of the Earth, New York: Grove Press, Cap. III: “The Trials and Tribulations of National Consciousness”, pp. 97-144.

Ignatov A., 2020, “Agurumyela’s art of connection: Christopher Azaare’s project of curating Gurensi history and culture”, Africa, vol. 90, n.4, pp. 649–666.

Law R., 1995, “Introduction”, in R. Law (eds), From slave trade to “legitimate” commerce. The commercial transition in nineteenth century West Africa, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-31.

Mudimbe V.Y., 1988, The Invention of Africa. Gnosis, Philosophy, and the Order of Knowledge, London: James Currey, 1988, Cap. I: “Discourse of Power and Knowledge of Otherness”, pp. 1-36.

Riddell B., 1992, “Things fall apart again: structural adjustment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa,” Journal of Modern African Studies, vol. 30, n. 1, pp. 53-68.

OR one among the following:

Allman J.M., Parker J., 2005, Tongnaab: The History of a West African God, Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Bellagamba A., 2008, L'Africa e la stregoneria. Saggio di antropologia storica, Laterza.

Berry S., 1993, No Condition Is Permanent: The Social Dynamics of Agrarian Change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.

Calchi Novati, G., 2011, L'Africa d'Italia, Carocci.

Hogendorn J.S., Johnson M., 1986, The Shell Money of the Slave Trade, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Macola G., 2021, Una storia violenta. Potere e conflitti nel bacino del Congo (XVIII-XIX secolo), Roma, Viella.

Ray C., 2015, Crossing the Color Line: Race, Sex, and the Contested Politics of Colonialism in Ghana, Ohio University Press

White L., 2000, Speaking with Vampires: Rumor and History in Colonial Africa, University of California Press: Berkeley.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DOMENICO CRISTOFARO (President)

GURI SCHWARZ

LESSONS

LESSONS START

October 5th, 2022

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam, for both attending and non-attending students, will consist in an oral examination on the three modules of the course. Attending students can prepare a presentation and a written essay to be presented during the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination committee verifies the achievement of the learning objectives, taking into account the following factors: a) mastery of basic historical knowledge; b) ability to apply knowledge (analysis of sources); c) critical thinking; d) ability to organize knowledge clearly, using the language of the discipline.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The reception will take place by appointment to be made via email.