HIST. 104: Intro to African History

Introduction to African History 
 

How is it that a continent once home to some of the most powerful kingdoms in the world is now so often defined by poverty, violence, and dependence? This course offers a bird’s-eye view of African history, charting the continent’s path from gold-adorned royal courts and bustling trade hubs to the ruptures of enslavement, extraction, and war. From thrones of gold to foreign food rations, we’ll ask why a place of such historical power and complexity has so often been reduced to a story of failure and need. We’ll explore how Africa’s history has been distorted, overlooked, and simplified—and how recovering it challenges us to see the continent on its own terms."

This course satisfies Goals 1.1 and 3H of the KU Core.