Bryn Mawr College | 101 N. Merion Avenue | Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Bryn Mawr College | 101 N. Merion Avenue | Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
History 235: Africa to 1800 (TTh 10:00am-11:30am)
The course explores the development of African societies to 1800. Themes are
drawn from across the continent. Discussions include issues related to the creation,
maintenance or destruction of a social order (small-scale societies and states),
production, social reproduction, explanations, external contacts and social
change. The course examines selective narratives, documents, debates, and films.
History 237: Urbanization in Africa (TTh 2:30pm-4:00pm)
(Cross-listed with Cities)
The course examines the environmental, economic, social, political, and cultural
factors that contributed to the expansion and transformation of pre-industrial
cities, colonial cities and cities today. The course explores various themes
such as the relationship between cities and societies, migration and social
change, urban space, health problems, city life, and women.
General Studies 101: African Civilizations: An Interdisciplinary
Introduction to African Studies (MW 2:30pm-4:00pm) (Cross-listed with Peace
& Conflict Studies)
This course introduces students to the African societies, cultures, and political
economies in historical perspective with emphasis on change and responses among
African people in Africa and in the Diaspora.
History 337: Topics in African History: Witchcraft
Discourse, Accusations, and Trials in West Africa (T 1:00pm-4:00pm)
Every year and all over the world, thousands of women, children and men suspected
of practicing witchcraft are driven out of their homes and lynched or burned
to death by mobs. There are also stories of ritual killings involving political
figures, business leaders and even clergymen, who use "juju" to secure
power or to get rich. The juju market in African cities and witch-hunting in
some rural areas are some of the fastest-growing businesses. What functions
did/does witchcraft fulfill in the popular belief system? What was/is the social
status of the denouncers and of the accused? Why do politicians and athletes
find witchcraft so attractive? What is the impact of urbanization and cultural
change on witchcraft beliefs?
This course will explore witchcraft not as an isolated phenomenon, but in the
framework of the transformation of African societies under the pressure of capitalism
(both merchant and industrial), colonial rule, modernization and urbanization.
Although our main unit of analysis is West Africa, our approach will be comparative.
The readings will also introduce students to the variants of witchcraft in other
selected regions of the continent, thus providing us with various African perspectives
on this phenomenon.
History 398: Senior Thesis (F 1:00pm-4:00pm)
Return to Professor Ngalamulume's home page.
Go to the History Department home page.