79-225 West African History in Film
9 units, Carnegie Mellon University
West Africa is a vibrant, diverse, and rich region, which has had the largest influence demographically, culturally, socially, and linguistically on the Americas. This course examines West Africas history from the precolonial to the independence period. It covers such topics as states vs. stateless societies, urbanization, transSaharan trade, Islamization, European interaction, the transAtlantic slave trade, colonialism, cash crops, missionaries, nationalism, and independence. Students will discuss how this dynamic region changed over time as a result of internal factors, such as state formation, as well as external factors, interaction with Muslim and European traders. Students will also be exposed to the variety of sources used by historians to reconstruct West Africas rich history. The course uses historical films by some of West Africas most famous filmmakers, such as Ousman Sembene, to illustrate the diversity of the region and changes within the region over time. Course includes two class meetings and mandatory film screenings, usually one evening per week. This course fulfills Dietrich Colleges Contextual Thinking general education requirement. Note to CFA Students If the filmshowing portion of this class conflicts with a theatrestage placement, please know that alternative screening times can be arranged on a casebycase basis. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the instructor directly.
Prerequisites: none listed
Offered: Spring 2027
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