HR208-5-AU-CO:
Themes in West African History

The details
2024/25
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
10 April 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

The history of West Africa is one of kings, empires, traders, and Islamic scholarship. It is also one of climate change, warfare, slavery, colonialism, and poverty. This module introduces students to the major themes in West African history, with a focus on the period after 1500. These themes include: geography and early history; empires and states; Islam and Saharan trade; African encounters with Europe; the transatlantic slave trade; jiihad and reform in the 18th and 19th centuries; 'legitimate' trade and the growth of slavery in Africa; colonialism and partition; and decolonisation. Seminar readings will consist of secondary sources, supplemented by primary sources.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To acquaint students with the basic themes and chronology of West African history.

  • To prepare students for continued study and research in West African history.

  • To provide students with a basic understanding of relations between West Africa and the wider world.

  • To acquaint students with the sources and methods used to study West Africa.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Understand the broad themes in West African history.

  2. Apply these broader historical themes to specific regions of West Africa and will be able to compare and contrast across time and region.

  3. Gain an understanding of the methods and sources used to study of West African history.

Module information

Indicative Syllabus



  • Intro: Geography and early history

  • Empires, states, and decentralised areas

  • Islam and Saharan Trade

  • Early Encounters with Europeans

  • The Transatlantic Slave Trade at its Height

  • Jihad and Reform in the 18th and 19th Centuries

  • 'Legitimate Trade' and the Transformation of Slavery in Africa

  • Imperialism and Partition

  • Colonial Society

  • Decolonisation

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • In-person teaching over 10 consecutive weeks. Each week will consist of one hour of lecture and one hour of readings-based seminar discussion.

Bibliography*

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Primary Source Analysis (1000 words)    35% 
Coursework   Comparative Essay (2000 words)    65% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Sean Kelley, email: skelley@essex.ac.uk.
History UG Administrators: hrugadmin@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)

* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.

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