Montgomery College

Rockville Campus

History 229 Dr. Alonzo N. Smith

Africa to 1800 Fall, 2008

SYLLABUS

I. Instructor Information

Phone: 240.567.7283. Email: Alonzo.Smith@montgomerycollege.edu Office address: Humanities 270. Office hours: MWF 9am-12pm, and by appointment.

II. Purpose and Scope

This course examines African history from prehistoric times until the closing of the Atlantic slave trade. We shall explore some of the special characteristics of the study and interpretation of African history and culture. We shall also look at the impact of environmental factors in human history. Beginning with the origin of humankind, we shall look at the development and expansion of major cultural areas and states, and the establishment of early trade networks among Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Finally, we shall examine the factors that led to the coming of the Europeans. We shall examine the rise and decline of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, with particular attention given to: slavery prior to the coming of the white man; the institution of slavery in the Americas and the transatlantic trade; the economics of slavery; the effects of slavery on Africa, the Americas and Europe; the transfer of culture from Africa to the Americas; and the factors leading to the decline of slavery. Finally, we shall look at the new forms of European influence which followed slavery.

III. Objectives

Each time you review for a quiz or final, reread these objectives, because they will give you an idea of the kinds of questions to expect.

Factual Knowledge: Recalling names, dates, locating major places and movements on a map, statistically describing human populations

Comprehension and Interpretation: Understanding major items and definitions, and understanding their roles in human affairs

Analysis and Application: Comparing and contrasting terms and definitions, both within the past, and between the past and the present, using the past as a means of understanding the present, as well as anticipating the future.

IV. Required Reading

Kevin Shillington, History of Africa, revised second edition, New York: Palgrave-MacMillan, 2005

D.T. Niane, Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, Pearson Longman (Pearson Education Limited), revised edition, 2006

V. Optional Reading

Daniel Del Castillo, “Decaying Manuscripts Reveal Africa’s Literate History,” Chronicle of Higher Education, September 6, 2002

VI. Exams and Grades

The quizzes and the final exam will cover the lectures and the required readings. The total semester grade will be computed as follows:

Attendance and participation: 10%

Four quizzes @ 10% 40%

Research paper 20%

Final exam 30%

The research paper will be 10-12 pages (3500-4000 words of text) in length, selected by the student from a list of topics. Further details of this project will be discussed in class. Prompt and regular attendance and active participation are critical to the successful completion of this course, and they will form part of the semester grade. If you feel that you may have difficulty in completing these requirements, you are encouraged not to enroll in this course. No student will be admitted to class after attendance is taken. Absence from a quiz results in no credit. Absence from the final results in an incomplete.

VII. Classroom Ethics and Conduct

In all class discussions, please raise your hand for permission to ask a question. This is not only a courtesy to the professor, but more importantly, to the other members of the class. Cheating on an exam and plagiarism on a paper are theft of information and are subject to the relevant rules of Montgomery College. Please consult the Code of Student Conduct, which covers academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, as well as disruptive classroom behavior that violates the rights of other students. See: http://www.mc.cc.md.us/hrdept/

VIII. Student Disability Services

The Chair and Counselor of this office is Rose Sachs (301-279-5077), and the Administrative Aide is Chanel Riley (301-279-5058). The URL for this office is: www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/dispsvc/ Students needing to take their exams in the Assessment Center should contact this office for a note to the professor of this course.

IX. Reading and Study Schedule

September 5-7

Lecture unit I and II; Shillington, Chapter 1

September 10-14

Unit III; Shillington, Chapter 2

September 17-21

Unit IV; Shillington, Chapters 3 and 4

September 24-28

Unit V and VI ; Shillington, Chapters 5 and 6

October 1-5

Unit VII; Shillington, Chapter 7 First quiz

October 8-12

Unit VII; Niane, Epic of Sundiata

October 15-19

Unit VIII; Shillington, Chapter 8

October 22-26

Unit IX; Shillington, Chapter 12 Second quiz

November 5-9

Unit X: Shillington, Chapter 13

November 12-16

Unit XI; Shillington, 10 and 11

November 19-23

Thanksgiving recess

November 26-November 30

Unit XII ; Shillington, Chapter 12 Third quiz

December 3-7

tba

December 10-14

Wrap-up; review for final Fourth quiz

December 17-21

Thursday, December 20. 8-10am: Final Examination

XI. Expanded Lecture Outline

I. Introduction to African History

A. How the study of African history is different from U.S. history

B. Overview of African Geography

II. Prehistory

A. The significance of Africa as the origin of humanity

B. The development of humanity

C. The development of food production

III. Ancient Egypt

A. The nature and significance of Egyptian civilization

B. Major time periods

C. The Egyptians and the Nubians

D. The Egyptians and the Greeks

IV. The Development of Iron

A. North and West Africa

B. North and Northeast Africa

V. Northeastern Africa

A. Ethiopia

B. Somalia

C. The Swahili coast

VI. Northwest Africa and the Western Sudan

A. Arabic and Berber culture

B. The transaharan trade

C. Ghana

D. Mali

E. Songhai

F. Fulani

VII. Central and Southern Africa

A. States of the Zambesi

B. Great Zimbabwe

VIII. North and Northeast Africa

A. Arabic influences

B. Turkish influences

C. Nubia, Ethiopia and the Maghrib

IX. The Transatlantic Slave Trade

A. Origins of the trade

B. Nature of the trade

C. The Decline of the Trade

D. The Transatlantic Slave Trade in world history

X. West Africa, 1500-1700

A. The Western Sudan

B. The Forest Belt

XI. Central and East Africa, and Madagascar, 1500-1800

A. The Congo Rain Forest

B. Kongo and Ndongo

C. The Lunda and the Maravi

XII. Southern Africa, 1500-1800

A. Ethnic groups

B. Founding of Cape Colony

C. European migrations and African reactions