Aims

By the end of this course, the student should have developed the following competencies:
a) a general knowledge of the history of sub-saharan Africa from the precolonial period to the present;
b) have mastered essential elements of the debate on colonialism and post-colonialism;
c) have studied archeological, written and oral sources used in writing the history of sub-saharan Africa;
d) have the capacity to head a simple research project on an aspect of the history of sub-saharan Africa.

Main themes

The first part of the course follows a chronological plan. We shall then pass in review the history of pre-colonial Africa, the first (15th-18th centuries) and second (19th-20th centuries) colonial periods; the time of independences (around 1960) and the most recent period. Certain particular subjects, such as the slave trade, evaluation of the rôle of missionnaries, the pan-African movement or apartheid will also be taken up.
The second part of the course will be dedicated to in-depth examination of a question related to the history of sub-saharan Africa (for example, mutations in the family and relationships; relations between Christianity and traditional African religions; the avatars of socialism in Africa). Some years the course will deal with a region or a particular country of Africa.

Content and teaching methods

The first part of the course follows a chronological plan. We shall then pass in review the history of pre-colonial Africa, the first (15th-18th centuries) and second (19th-20th centuries) colonial periods; the time of independences (around 1960) and the most recent period. Certain particular subjects, such as the slave trade, evaluation of the rôle of missionnaries, the pan-African movement or apartheid will also be taken up.
The second part of the course will be dedicated to in-depth examination of a question related to the history of sub-saharan Africa (for example, mutations in the family and relationships; relations between Christianity and traditional African religions; the avatars of socialism in Africa). Some years the course will deal with a region or a particular country of Africa.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : sufficient knowledge of the historical method (two years of 'candidature' in history or in a related discipline).
Evaluation : a ten to fifteen page essay sent to the instructor by internet within a time limit. This essay demonstrates: (a) intellectual mastery of the course contents; b) the student's research capacity.
Teaching materials : Student notes.

Other credits in programs