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

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.