Time Schedule:
Georgia M. Roberts
BIS 420
Bothell Campus
Considers the history of colonization in Africa and the writing of that history, dealing with debates around post-colonial theory. Provides a better understanding of how relationships between Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world have developed, and how we have come to understand those relationships.
Class description
This class explores the history of colonization in sub-Saharan Africa and the writing of that history. Special attention will be paid to the ways in which colonial discourse continues to play a role in current events affecting both sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world. The aim of the course is to provide students with a better understanding of how relationships between sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world have developed, and how we have come to understand those relationships through the process of writing history. The course is taught as an introduction to post-colonial theory, so we will also be reading the work of influential theorists from other parts of the world.
Some of the writers we will read include Steve Biko, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Edward Said, Leopold Senghor, Walter Rodney, Frantz Fanon, Amilcar Cabral, and others.
We will also watch 2-3 documentary films and read two short novels: Tsitsi Dangarembga's "Nervous Conditions" and "Waiting for the Barbarians" by J.M. Coatzee
Student learning goals
1. To develop critical and comparative historical and analytic skills.
2. To gain a basic understanding of post-colonial theory.
General method of instruction
This course will consist of short lectures, documentary films and small & large group discussion of assigned texts.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Assignments include a midterm, two short response papers and co-leading one class discussion.
