Scheda insegnamento

No prior knowledge of the history of Africa is required. A complementary reading list is available on the LOL platform (Suggested Readings for Students Enrolled a.y. 2022/23). Students are encouraged to make use of this additional literature if they feel their background preparation may require it.

Language Requirements: A grasp of the English language (B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Students may avail themselves, where appropriate, of the Language Tutoring Service.

This course aims at introducing students to essential knowledge about the history of contemporary Africa, providing key methodological and analytical tools to undertake a critical analysis of the continent’s main social and political phenomena. Students will be exposed to critical debates and current issues that articulate Africa’s place in world history and in the contemporary world. At the end of the course students are expected to have learnt how to unpack critical factors of change, handling key historical concepts, mapping significant themes, and identifying major processes that shape Africa’s political, economic, and social history, and their present manifestations.

Students are expected to be able to:

• gain a solid overview of the main events, developments and trends on the history of Africa in the last two centuries;
• discuss and critically apply broader historical concepts, explore cutting-edge issues and debates, historicise contemporary issues;
• understand the peculiarities of the “many Africas” and many realities within Africa while identifying larger overlaying trends and the driving forces behind those trends;
• learn how to express ideas through oral presentations and seminar discussions on key trends and projections about Africa’s social, economic, and governance issues, and formulate informed opinions about the drivers that will determine the continent’s future.

The course is organised along two modules.

MODULE A, 6 ECTS (Prof. Federica Guazzini), Africa: from the legacies of colonialism to globalization and its challenges

This module aims to put the contemporary discussion of globalization in historical perspective by examining the long-lasting interactions of African countries with each other and the rest of the world. It provides a comparative framework of the history of Sub-Saharan Africa from the late nineteenth century onwards. As such, having regard of the diversity of cultures and histories across the continent, this module is of necessity devoted to the study of major patterns and processes, engaging with the related theoretical debates. The first conceptual focus will be on the impact of imperial colonialism at an institutional, economic and social level. Then, the module deals with the decolonization process, and post-independence economic reforms, taking stock of the international aid system, and their impact on the social systems. Inequality between Africa and the rest of the world, and inequality within African societies will be addressed, correcting outdated perceptions of a continent too often relegated to the margins of world history. Students will then be introduced to a range of selected themes: conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, contemporary social issue such as healthcare and social policies, and the reasons for African mobility. The expectations of development will be highlighted debating the narratives from the “hopeless continent” to the “Africa rising”, and assessing the ongoing disruptions caused by climate change. Analysing Africa’s new position in the world will mean exploring regional institutions, and the role leading powers are playing on the economic landscape of the African continent.

MODULE B, 3 ECTS (Prof. Davide Chinigò), Citizenship and the nation-state in Africa

This module addresses key theories, themes and topics that articulate the relationship between social and political belonging, the formation of the nation-state, and citizenship in Africa. It is organised as a set of case studies examining the significance of specific trajectories of state and nation building that frame visions, aspirations, and claims to citizenship, as well as their relationship to other local, national, and transnational forms of belonging. The unit takes a historical perspective to review these issues at different moments in time since the late colonial period. The unit provides students with a conceptual map to critically engage with current discussions around the legacy of colonialism, the challenges of democratisation, identity politics, social movements, and science and technology.

Full-Time Students:

Lecture-based, with active participation in classroom discussions, along with Seminars carried out by guest speakers. Participation and attendance are necessary because lecture and discussion provide the essentials for achieving learning goals.

Non-Attending Students:

Non-attending Students are required to follow two Seminars (schedule and preliminary readings will be available on the Course online platform LOL), and to study the mandatory text (see below).

Compensatory or dispensation measures will be provided to students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), as certified by the document filed with the Segreteria Studenti. Requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. For adapting the programme/assessment methods, students should set up a time to discuss with the Professor. Please, get in touch well in advance also via [Commissione per le differenze e l’inclusione] (https://www.unistrapg.it/it/vivere-il-campus/servizi/servizi-per-studenti-con-dsa-e-disabilita) (differenze-inclusione@unistrapg.it).

Teaching material will be uploaded to the digital platforms LOL and Teams. These platforms may be used for remote teaching should this be provided by the CdS.

MODULE A (Prof. Federica Guazzini)

Oral exam. Students will be asked two questions on the issues addressed in the programme. Besides the active participation shown during the course, assessment will take into account the ability of students to demonstrate a reasonable critical understanding of key features related to the main processes studied with convincing and well-supported arguments, and awareness of the broader context.

MODULE B (Prof. Davide Chinigò)

Oral exam. Students will be asked to illustrate one of the case studies presented in class. Besides the active participation shown during the course, assessment will take into account the ability of students to demonstrate a reasonable critical understanding of key features related to the main processes studied with convincing and well-supported arguments, and awareness of the broader context.

Assessment of students with certified disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) will be defined case-by-case, based on recommendations of the Commissione per le differenze e l’inclusione.

MODULE A (Prof. Federica Guazzini)

Full-Time Students: A reference bibliography and handouts will be provided on a weekly basis on the online platform LOL.

Non-Attending Students: Non-attending Students are required to follow two Seminars (schedule and preliminary readings will be available on the Course online platform LOL), and to prepare the following mandatory text:

• Paul Nugent, Africa since independence, Palgrave Macmillan 2012.

MODULE B (Prof. Davide Chinigò)

Full-Time Students: A reference bibliography and handouts will be provided on a weekly basis on the online platform LOL.

Non-Attending Students: Non-attending Students are required to prepare the following mandatory text:

• Edmond J. Keller, Identity, Citizenship and Political Conflict in Africa, Indiana University Press 2014.

• Erik T. Gilbert and Jonathan T. Reynolds, Africa in World History, Pearson 2012 (3rd edition).
• Toyin Falola and Kenneth Kalu, Africa and Globalization. Challenges of Governance and Creativity, Palgrave Macmillan 2018.
• George Kaly Kieh (ed. By), Contemporary Issues in African Society. Historical Analysis and Perspective, Palgrave Macmillan 2018.
• Richard J. Reid, A history of modern Africa: 1800 to the present, Wiley 2020 (pages 121-380).
• Wale Adebanwi (ed. by), The Political Economy of Everyday Life in Africa. Beyond the Margins, James Currey 2017.
• Fredrick Cooper, Africa Since 1940. The Past of the Present, Cambridge University Press 2002.

Class attendance is required for Full-Time Students, who are invited to join the class in the first week of the Course. Active participation in class discussions is not only welcome but highly recommended. Non-attending students are kindly required to contact the lecturer regarding the Seminars' schedule federica.guazzini@unistrapg.it.