Africa in the World

The conceptual challenge of situating Africa historically in the contemporary world in a rigorous fashion—one that pays due heed to the continent’s own historical dynamics—extends back at least as far as W.E.B. DuBois’ The World and Africa (1946). The nature of that challenge has, however, changed over time. The course offers an introduction to a conceptual problem fundamental to the practice of African history, and to thinking about Africa, not only as foundationally part of the contemporary world, but as active in its production.