Major requirement: History of Africa/Middle East
This course introduces students to contemporary Africa's socio-cultural, economic, and political experiences. The course is not designed as a study of individual countries in Africa; it is a theme-based course. Significant themes include European colonialism and African nationalism, internal and external migration and settlement, social identities and cultural changes, technology and innovation, religious transformation, and diseases and healing, among others. In exploring themes and trends that dominate Africa's contemporary storyline, we will learn quite a bit about a variety of countries on the continent. The course is structured to encourage active participation, and will equip you with research tools that are supposed to enhance your critical thinking and writing skills.