Liberating Africa: Decolonisation, Development and the Cold War 1919-1994

Code	School	Level	Credits	Semesters
HIST2035	History	2	20	Autumn UK

Code: HIST2035
School: History
Level: 2
Credits: 20
Semesters: Autumn UK

Summary

The purpose of this module is to examine current debates in the historiography about the end of the European empires in African and the emergence of a new political system of independent states. Topics which will feature particularly strongly are

(a) the emergence of a variety of different forms of African nationalism

(b) the ongoing debate about the uneven economic development of Africa during the last years of empire and the first years of independence

(d) the significance of race including the question of European settlements and migration

(e) the impact of the Cold War on the politics of decolonisation. Countries which will be examined in particular detail will include Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, the Congo, Kenya, Angola, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Target Students

Students must have taken HIST1001 or HIST1002. Also available to exchange students hosted by the Department of History.

Classes

One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks

Assessment

50% Coursework 1: Individually assessed coursework item (2,500 words)
50% Coursework 2: Individually assessed coursework item (2,500 words)

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

The module aims to provide students with a knowledge of some of the most significant issues arising from the historical study of the end of the European empires in Africa. They should obtain an understanding of the arguments about the continuities and discontinuities between the colonial era and the era of independence. Students should familiarise themselves with the key historical debates about, for example, the character of African nationalism, the rising significance of economic development as an issue in imperial and African politics, the nature of the violence which accompanied liberation, the way in which racial issues figured in the struggle for independence and the relative impact of regional and international factors in a Cold War context. They should utilise some documentary material relating to these developments. They will also be encouraged to consider the role which historical events have played in framing current political and economic issues in the region.

Learning Outcomes

a. Intellectual skills

Students should be able to:

think critically about the subject matter;
identify and address some of the key problems arising from the study of modern African history;
make use of secondary and primary sources in constructing explanations of key developments;
present coherent and effective historical arguments.

b. Professional/practical skills
Develop students' ability to:
• select, sift and synthesise information from numerous secondary and some primary sources;
• identify and compare key arguments in those materials;
• plan, research and write an essay based on their research;
• use IT to access historical sources and information and to complete historical assignments.

c. Transferable skills
Develop students' ability to:
• respect the views of others. manage a large and disparate body of information;
• express themselves clearly, coherently and fluently in writing assignments;
• give an effective oral presentation in support of an argument;
• work and learn actively with others;
• manage and take responsibility for their own learning;

Conveners

Dr Spencer Mawby

View in Curriculum Catalogue

Last updated 07/01/2025.