Ancient and Pre-colonial History of Africa (20067)

Degree/study:Grade in Humanities
Year:3rd.
Term: 2nd
Number of ECTS credits: 5 credits
Hours of studi dedication:
Teaching language or languages: language
Teaching Staff: Alfred Bosch

1. Presentation of the subject

 

The Sub-Saharan world before European partition.

Study and interpretation of the fundamental episodes, as well as the assumptions and consequences, of the history of Africa during ancient and pre-colonial times.

 

2. Competences to be attained

General competences

Specific competences

1. Learning and incorporating systems that enable the acquirement of history knowledge and knowledge on humanities in general.   2. Using history learning methods, especially those of non-European societies. 3. Relating analytical concepts through readings and debates. 4. Being able to synthesise and write about historical processes and concepts.

1. Knowing, setting and interpreting the main processes and events related to Sub-Saharan history until the moment of first contact with Europeans. 2. Learning and analysing the main political, artistic and religious currents in Sub-Saharan Africa until the first contact with Europeans. 3. Knowing first-hand the main sources that provide knowledge and analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa until the first contact with Europeans. 4. Being aware of the academic value and relevance of Sub-Saharan history until the first contact with Europeans. 5. Putting the acquired knowledge into practice in different professional fields, such as cooperation, journalism, teaching and so on. 6. Being able to transmit to a non-specialised audience the main notions of Sub-Saharan history until the first contact with Europeans.

3. Contents

 

This course aims to be an introduction to the history of the African continent before the European colonisation. Special attention will be drawn to cultural, economic and political processes in sub-Saharan societies. There will be a brief introduction to the origins of human civilisation, the reality and myth of the great African empires, the social and political organisation in pre-colonial realms, and the consequences brought by contact with the West.

 

Africa colonises the world

1. We are all African.

       1.1. Heart of Darkness

       1.2. Black Planet      

2. Sons of the desert

       2.1. Tassili and Kemet

       2.2. Meroe

3. Black crusades

       3.1. Christian Africa

       3.2. Nubia 

4. Prester John

       4.1. Aksum (also called Axum)

       4.2. Lalibela 

Domestic imperialism

5. The golden rivers

       5.1. Ghana

       5.2. Mali 

6. Islam al Sahel

       6.1. Timbuktu

       6.2. Songhai      

7. Lands in Azania

       7.1. Swahili

       7.2. Kilwa

       7.3. Abyssinia 

8. The lost Atlantis

       8.1. Oba

       8.2. Orisha

       8.3. Oyo and Benin

9. King Solomon's mines

9.1. Bantu

9.2. Mapungubwe

9.3. Great Zimbabwe

The Africa that does not surrender

10. Caravels against caravans.

       10.1. The slavery

       10.2. The impact

11. Slaves and slave traders

       11.1. Congo

       11.2. Ashanti 

12. Black Jihads

       12.1. Fula

       12.2. Tucolor 

13. The last African empire

       13.3. Zulu

       13.4. Mfecane 

 

 

*The full version with the sections 4. Assessment, 5. Bibliography and teaching resources, 6. Methodology and 7. Planning of activities is available in the original version.

 

4. Assessment

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5. Bibliography and teaching resources

5.1. Basic bibliography

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5.2. Complementary bibliography

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5.3. Teaching resources

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6. Metodology

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7. Planning of activities

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