Students should leave this course with both added content and analytical abilities.  They will have gained knowledge in the historical events of colonialism on the African continent and the independence movements that followed.  As well, they will gain a deeper understanding of each of the particular case studies.  Students will also work their critical thinking skills in their ability to comparatively study situations in order to find commonalities and differences between the countries history, means of accessing independence, neocolonial involvement and the particular situational outcome.  

As a human rights attorney for the United Nations I have worked on issues dealing with African colonialism and the modern day geopolitical challenges for most of my career.  I have lived in and travelled to much of the continent during my work and have engaged first hand with much of the material which will be taught.  As well, I have been teaching on the topic of human rights, humanitarian and democracy issues at the university level for many years.  In the past three years I have successfully moved those topics into a younger pedagogy and have been teaching at the middle and high school level on topics such as the Holocaust, genocide, refugees and human rights.  

Homework Offered
Readings and audio visual learning materials will be assigned as well as discussion questions or other means of preparing students for class each week.  There will be a final project presentation which is due at the end of the 12 week course.  
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
If requested, grades and assessments are available.  All assignments must be completed in order to receive grade or assessment. 
Grades Offered
If requested, grades and assessments are available.  All assignments must be completed in order to receive grade or assessment. 

The source material for this course will be vast and varied.  Primary source material is prioritized and will include such things as historical maps, UN Conventions, original bi-lateral treaties, conventions, the writings of the colonizers, first hand accounts of victims of atrocities, interviews with freedom fighters, propaganda films of the British explaining the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya etc. Secondary source materials may also be pulled from, but will not be relied upon in the same manner as the primary sources.  Secondary sources may include for example readings from "The Last Slave Market" a well researched accounting of the Zanzibar slave trade, "Dictatorland" which provides an overview of Zimbabwe's challenges from independence through the early 2000s, or "The Key to My Neighbors House" which provides a well researched accounting of the Rwandan genocide.  Biographical materials of various leaders will also be provided.