HIS 360 West Africa, 1800 to Present

This course provides a general survey of West African history from the early 19th century to the present. It explores the internal socio-economic and political dynamics of West African states/societies and their relations with the wider world. The course will focus on important themes such as the growth and development of cities and the formation of states, the slave trade and its impact, the structures of imperialism, trade and underdevelopment, the colonial process and its resistance, and the legacy of colonialism in contemporary West Africa. It will also examine the problems of West African nations as they grapple with neo-colonialism marked by dependency, political instability, ethnic conflicts, disease, over-population and indebtedness. HIS 360L Advanced Research Lab required if course is offered as 3-credit plus lab. Fulfills writing-intensive requirement. Prerequisite: HIS 260, HIS 265 or HIS/POS 300.