Human Geographies of Africa

Course Description

Objectives
The course “Human Geographies of Africa” aims to introduce students to the study of the African continent from the late 19th century to the present, highlighting its historical depth, social, economic, and cultural transformations, as well as Africa’s position in the contemporary global context. Through a critical approach, students will become familiar with pre-colonial societies, the processes and consequences of colonialism, postcolonial developments, and geopolitical dynamics.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Recognize and understand the main features of Africa’s pre-colonial past.
• Critically interpret the processes of European colonial imposition and their socio-political consequences.
• Analyze the role of Eurocentric political, economic, and cultural models in shaping contemporary African realities.
• Approach and evaluate scholarly articles and studies on African societies, both colonial and contemporary, using academic criteria.
• Critically challenge stereotypical representations and simplistic perceptions of the continent and its inhabitants.
Content
The course includes thematic units that examine Africa from historical, geographical, social, cultural, and geopolitical perspectives:
• Introduction to Africa: Pre-colonial past, empires, kingdoms, cities.
• African geographies and the Global South: Africa as an example of uneven development and geopolitical positioning.
• Africa in the early 20th century: Partition and colonial expansion.
• From the First to the Second World War: Great power rivalries and prospects for change.
• Colonial geographies: Social structures, political domination, economic dependencies.
• Postcolonial Africa: Nation-states, development strategies, dependence on former colonizers.
• Social networks and the informal economy: The case of Nigeria.
• Africa’s geopolitical position: Roles and challenges in the global system.
• Africa and anthropological approaches: Ethnographic studies and analysis of selected articles.
• Stereotypes about Africa: Critical deconstruction of Western perceptions and representations.
Teaching & Assessment
The course will be held once a week (three hours) and will combine lectures, readings, class discussions, analysis of academic texts, and possibly the screening of audiovisual material.
Assessment
Evaluation will be based on a critical review of an academic article, a final paper, and a written examination. The grade distribution will be as follows:
• 20% Critical review of an article (mid-semester)
• 30% Final paper
• 50% Written examination
Attendance
Attendance is not compulsory but is considered essential.
Assignments
Written assignments must be submitted in Word format, 1.5 spacing, with correct in-text citations (APA reference system), bibliography, title, and font Calibri 12.
Critical review of an article (1000–1500 words, 20% of the grade):
A list of Africa-related articles will be posted on eClass. Choose one of them, summarize its main argument, and evaluate it critically.
Final paper (2500 words, 30% of the grade):
Presentation of the final papers will take place in the last two sessions and is mandatory.