Module: African States and Societies: 1500-1885

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	African States and Societies: 1500-1885
Module Code	HIS1059 (ITS) / HIS1059 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
Module Co-ordinator	James Akpu
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This pioneering module discusses the dynamics of the formation, expansion and consolidation of African states and societies between 1500 and 1885, an era characterised by European minglings on African coastlines, the slave trade, and the scramble and partition of Africa. It further examines the social institutions, political organisations, trade, and the spread of Islam. We will examine the slave trade and its impact on Africa. The module analyses further the influence of European settlement on South Africa. Finally, it will close with a study of the interactions, namely, political, economic, social and religious, that African societies had with foreign dominions during the period of study, leading to the loss of independence of most African states, empires and kingdoms.

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1: Demonstrate an understanding of Africa's economic, political and socio-cultural developments before and after its encounter with European powers during our study period.
2. LO2: Identify and explain the minor and significant causative factors and consequences of the rise and fall of most African societies during our study period.
3. LO3: Analyse documents from the past, take a position on a historical question, use evidence to support their views and express their insights to others.
4. LO4: Display an understanding of historical developments and themes in African history.
5. LO5: Evaluate the impact of state formation and the roles of trade, Islam, migration, and agriculture on African societies during our study period.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	240	No Description
Total Workload: 240

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	40%	Examination Weight	60%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	40%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Lovejoy Paul: 2016, Jihad in West Africa during the Age of Revolutions, Ohio University Press, Athens,
Parker John (ed.): 2023, The Great Kingdoms of Africa, Thames and Hudson, London,

Other Resources

64624, Website, 0, Slavery and Remembrance, a joint venture between the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and UNESCO’s Slave Route Project., https://slaveryandremembrance.org/articles/article/index.cfm?id=A0002,