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MOREHOUSE COLLEGE - DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

HIST 257/1: ANCIENT AFRICA TO 1800

CLASS DETAILS Meeting Place: 314 Wheeler Hall Meeting Date & Time: TR: 1:00 - 2:15 pm. OFFICE HOURS Tuesdays & Thursdays: 11:00 - 12:00 am Thursdays: 4:00 - 5:00 pm. PROFESSORS DETAILS Name: Haile M. Larebo, PhD Office Address: 202J Brawley Hall Office Telephone: 404 681 7587 Email Address: hlarebo@morehouse.edu

1. COURSE OBJECTIVES The course is designed to provide an outline of the history of the entire African continent leading up to the modern history of Africa, which is covered by the second outline, African History from 1800. This is a big subject, and so therefore the course, covering a great deal of ground in a short space of time. Primarily, we will explore some of the major forces that influenced the shape of the continent and its present condition. Secondly, we assess Africas contribution to, and interaction with, the wider world. Understandably, the course will not provide details of all the continents events. It shall instead attempt to present a panoramic view of the major themes relating to the political, social, cultural, economic and religious history of African societies. Finally, this course will assist students in their search for identity and meaning as it demonstrates to them the unique experience of Africans in their effort to transform their environment through various forms of struggle: survival, justice, power and wealth. More specifically, we will deal with: the Evolution of Humankind. the Formation of States. the Growth of Trade and Religion. Population Migration. Rise and Fall of Empires and City States. Interaction with Foreign Civilizations. To do this study properly, it calls for regular attendance ( see Attendance) at the weekly meetings; regular preparation; and regular work (see Reading and Examinations).

WEEKLY READING AND LECTURE SCHEDULE Key for Abbreviations: Ach. = Achebe Bur = Burstein ch/s. = Chapter/s Dav. = Basil Davidson GR = E. Gilbert & J. Reynolds Hnd = Handouts Is. = Isichei Oliv. = Oliver p/pp. = page/s Pan. = Pankhurst Sh. = Shillington SW. = Sweetman Tad. = Taddesse

Week Week 1 Week 2 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 -

Activities Reading Assignment Introduction Sources and Relevance of African History Continuation - Sources and Relevance of African History Cradle of Humankind GR. Chs. 1-2; Sh. Ch. 1; Dav. pp. 3-46; Oliv. chs. 1-3. Nile Valley Civilizations: The Egyptians GR. Ch. 3; Cur. Pp. 36-42; 46-57; Sh. Ch. 2; Diop; Dav. 49- 64; Oliv. Ch. 5; [Film]; hnd. Th. Group I Presentation: Ancient Egyptians: Read Diop; UNESCO; Bernal, Mary Lefkowitz and Guy Rogers) Week 5 - Nile Valley Civilization: Kush and Aksum GR. Ch.3; Sh. Ch. 3; pp. 63-71; 107-115; Dav. 64-69; 303-4; Bur., pp. 3-132; Pan. Chs. 1-2. Week 6 - Great Bantu Migration GR. Ch. 4; Sh. 4. Th. Research Paper I due by 4:30 pm \Week 7African Christianity and Islam: GR. Chs. 5-6; Is. Chs. 1-2; Sh. pp. 66-77; 91-94; ch. 11; Oliv. ch. 7; Pan. Chs. 5-6; Cur. pp. 57-63; 64-66; 76-81; 87-93; Brett, Chs. 3-4. Th. Group II Presentation: African Religions: Read: Achebe, Isichei, Week 8- Trans-Saharan Trade : Ghana, Mali and Songhay GR. Ch. 6; Sh. chs. 6-7, and 13; Cur. pp. 93-97; Dav. 85-102; 105-118; Ham; pp. ix-12;29-75; Oliv; [film] ch. 11; Brett, Chs. 3-4. hnd Week 9 - The Seafaring Cities of Swahili and the Great Zimbabwe GR ch. 7; Sh. chs. 8-10, and Ch. 14; Dav. pp. 127-166; and 169-200; Ham. pp. 13-25; Oliv. pp. 105-112. Week 10 - Trans-Atlantic Economy: African Slave Trade: GR. Ch. 8; - Cur. ch. 7; Sh. chs. 12, 15-16; Oliv. Ch. 10; [film];Dav. pp. 203-41; 245-90; Rod. Ch. 4 Week 11- The Solomonids in the Horn and The Ottomans in the Maghreb GR chs. 10; Sh. ch. 8, pp. 107-115; ch. 11; Pan. Chs. 3-8 Week 12 - Foreigners at Gate. GR. Chs. 11-12;Sh. ch. 9, pp. 131-137; ch. 15; ch. 16, pp. 32-241; ch. 18