African Modernities: Popular Cultures in Twentieth Century Africa (HIH3073)

Staff	Dr Stacey Hynd - Convenor
Credit Value	30
ECTS Value	15.00
NQF Level	6
Pre-requisites	Normally 15 credits of History at level 1 or 2
Co-requisites	None
Duration of Module	Term 2: 11 weeks;

Module aims

This module focuses on the history of social change and popular cultures in twentieth century sub-Saharan Africa, looking at both colonial and postcolonial eras. The development of popular cultures will be explored through looking at histories of changing 'customs' , urban life, ethnic identities, gender relations, leisure time, political protest, and religious belief. The impact that migration and diasporic communities have on expressions of popular culture will also be explored. The module will also investigate ideas of 'modernity', postcolonialism and globalization in an African context. Sources used for this course will include African literature, film, music, art, fashion and mass media.

ILO: Module-specific skills

1. Develop a substantial knowledge of twentieth century African social, cultural and political history
2. Develop a detailed and nuanced understanding of African cultures, particularly through research conducted for assessed essays
3. Develop an understanding of cultural history and postcolonial theories

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

4. An ability to analyse the key developments in a complex and unfamiliar political and social environment
5. An ability to understand and deploy correct terminology in a comprehensible manner
6. An ability to handle different approaches to history in a contested area

ILO: Personal and key skills

7. A capacity for independent study and group work, including the presentation of material for group discussion
8. An ability to digest, select and organise material to produce, to a deadline, a coherent and cogent argument, developed through the mode of assessment
9. An ability to present arguments orally, and to work in a group

Syllabus plan

1. Introduction to post (colonial) African histories
2. Ethnicity and urbanization
3. Fun in the City: Sport, Alcohol and Leisure
4. Gender and sexuality
5. Religious lives: Islam and Christianity
6. Cultures of Politics: Ethnicity, Democracy and Corruption
7. Images of Modernity: African Film, Fashion, Art & Literature
8. The Modernity of Witchcraft
9. HIV/AIDS, identity and social protest
10.Human Rights in Africa
11.African Diasporas

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
33	267	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	11	Lectures (11x1hr)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	11	Seminars (11x2hr)
Guided independent study	267	Reading and preparation for seminars and presentations

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
25	50	25

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Better of two essay marks	25	2 x 2000 words	1-9	Verbal and written
Group presentation	25	30-40 minutes	1-9	Verbal and written
Unseen Examination	50	2 questions in 2 hours	1-9	Written

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

J. Allman, Fashioning Africa: Power and the Politics of Dress (2004)
K. Barber, Readings in African Popular Culture (1997)
A. Adu. Boahen, African Perspectives on Colonialism (1989)
J. & J. Comaroff, Modernity and its Malcontents: Ritual and Power in Africa (1993)
F. Cooper, Africa Since 1940: The Past of the Present (2002)
J-G Deutsch, P. Probst, H. Schmidt (eds.), African Modernities (2002)
I. Okpewho, D. Boyce & A. Mazrui (eds.) The African Diaspora (1999)
S. Newell (ed.), Writing African Women: Gender, Popular Culture and Literature in West Africa (1997)
L. White, Speaking with Vampires: Rumour and History in Colonial Africa (2000)
J. Willis, A Social History of Alcohol in East Africa, 1850-1999 (2002)

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes