AP/SOSC 2480 6.00

Introduction To African Studies

This core course introduces students to the study of Africa. The first part looks at the representation of Africa in the media as well as perspectives on the nature of African studies as a discipline. The second part looks at the self-directed and relatively autonomous Africa before the European encounter. Of special importance are the diverse forms of traditional pre-colonial political institutions; the patterns of belief and social relationships, such as marriage, the role of women and kinship; and the rise and decline of pre-colonial states before Africa's incorporation into the wider, European dominated world.

The third part addresses the impact of the modern slave trade and the rise of modern African diasporas, the establishment of colonization and the rise of nationalism. In the final section we look at post-colonial Africa and the major social, political and economic issues inherited and developmental strategies and developmental states Africans opted for: democracy, the economic crisis, economic liberalization, and gender politics, as well as the more recent issues raised by economic growth, the demand for Africa's resources, and the involvement of recent players in Africa's economic and political landscape, like China, India, and other newly emerging economies In addition, issues such HIV and AIDS, the new African Union, as well as the nature of contemporary African popular culture are addressed. As a second-level Foundations course, students are expected to develop a number of critical skills appropriate to this area of study.