Colonialism, Resistance and Independence: A Study of Modern African Nations
A comparative study of the carving up of the African continent by European powers, the people of Africa, the independence movements of modern African nations, neocolonialism, and the challenges faced from colonization through present day.
Kirsten Bowman JD
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(767)
Popular
What's included
12 live meetings
10 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. 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.Assessment
If requested, grades and assessments are available. All assignments must be completed in order to receive grade or assessment.Grading
If requested, grades and assessments are available. All assignments must be completed in order to receive grade or assessment.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
This course aims to provide an overview of the history of colonization on the African continent, the dark period of the rape of human and natural resources from the continent, the fights for independence and the independence movement that arose from them, the neocolonialism that occurred during the cold war era of emerging and post independence, and the challenges that have arisen on the continent due to neocolonial intervention, dictators and a continued plundering of the wealth of the continent. The first two weeks of the course, a historical overview of the colonization of the African continent will be presented. A detailed understanding of the Berlin Conference of 1884 will be provided and fundamental concepts such as natural versus positive law will be taught in order to provide the foundation for the next 10 weeks of the course. Weeks 3 through 10 will each include a country study in order for students to conceptualize each country's unique and common challenges pre, and post occupation. The countries studied will include: Kenya Uganda DRCongo Rwanda South Africa Ghana Week 11 will be focused on an overview of present day challenges within the region and the possibilities and challenges of the future of the continent. Week 12 will be set aside for class presentations of students final class projects. Materials will be provided ahead of time each week to prepare students for class. In class time will involve discussions, debates and projects designed to engage learners in critical thinking analysis in order to understand and assess the various perspectives, possibilities and outcomes. Individual and collective perspectives will be analyzed and students should leave the course with a greater breath of historical knowledge as well as having gained experience in the analysis of dense, complex geopolitical materials to understand on a broader scale the decisions and motives of world leaders.
Learning Goals
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.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Much of the learning happens in my classes during targeted discussions. Sensitive topics around race, nationality and community may be included in the conversation. As in all my courses, I believe in open and constructive dialogue. This requires a commitment to respectful speaking and listening, to well reasoned factual materials that are sourced well. Students need to be prepared to engage and listen respectfully in discussion and debate. Sensitive topics such as genocide, war crimes, disease, horrible atrocities, dictatorship and the complexities of the cold war will be discussed. These topics are essential to an educated and well reasoned discussion and will be addressed factually, not exploitatively, and will include primary sourced material as much as possible. Parents should determine whether their students are prepared for this type of material to be presented prior to enrolling in the course.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
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.
Joined May, 2018
4.9
767reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
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. Reviews
Live Group Class
$180
for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
50 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-15 learners per class
