Dr Leigh Gardner SAR 5.07

This course is available to General Course ‘Spring Semester’ students.

This course examines the economic history of Sub-Saharan Africa over the long run. Its overall aim is to situate Africa within global economic history, illustrating how Africa and Africans contributed to global economic change as well as exploring the impact of those changes on African economies.  Lectures provide a chronological introduction to significant periods in African economic history, from the beginning of colonial rule through independence. The course ends by considering the significance of recent economic expansions and population growth. While lectures and classes focus on broader themes, assessed work includes a case study research project allowing students to learn about the diversity of experience around the continent.

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours across Lent Term. This year, some or all of this teaching may be delivered through a combination of virtual classes and flipped-lectures delivered as short online videos. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term.

Students should expect to complete two formative assignments during the term. This will include one essay or equivalent plus an assignment related to the summative case study project. 

For a general overview of African history over the period, see R.J. Reid, A History of Modern Africa (2009); J. Iliffe, Africans: The History of a Continent (1995). For accessible introductions to a variety of themes in African economic history, see the African Economic History Network’s online textbook, The History of African Development.

Exam (70%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Project (30%, 1500 words) in the ST.

The research project will involve a case study (1500 words) on a specific African country, focused on one of the themes/questions addressed in the course.