History of colonisation and decolonisation in (Central) Africa

Course dates

12 January 2027 – 11 May 2027

Registration period

1 December 2026 – 4 January 2027

Coordinating university

University of Eastern Finland

Instructors

Pieter Dhondt

Credits

5 ECTS

Course dates: 12.1. - 11.5.2027
Registration dates: 1.12.2026 - 4.1.2027
Coordinating university: University of Eastern Finland
Responsible teacher: Pieter Dhondt (if.feu@tdnohd.reteip)
Credits: 5 ECTS

Course summary:

The course offers an integrated history of Central Africa with attention for political, diplomatic, economic, social, religious and cultural developments. Congo/Zaire functions as an exemplifying case study of transitions in the whole region. Particular topics which are discussed more in detail, include, for instance, the berlin Conference of 1884-11885 regulating European colonisation and trade in Africa; rubber exploitation; colonial education, architecture and health care; the difficult relationship in Belgium and other European countries with their colonial past; the trade relationships between international institutions and Central Africa during and after the Cold War; the figure of the African dictator; the Rwandan Genocide and the following Great African War.

Learning outcomes:

• To acquire a critical view on the pre-colonial history of Africa, the coming into existence of colonial borders and the multi-faceted (hi)story of colonisation and decolonisation in Central Africa
• To understand the process of colonisation by putting it in the political, economic, social, and ideological context of the time
• To assess and explain current conflicts and challenges in Central Afriac from a historical perspective

Additionally, the course develops the following generic skills: Ethics, Internationality, Sustainability and responsibility, Critical thinking, Identification and development of expertise, Interaction and communication.

Learning methods:

With the exception of two introductory lectures, all lectures are organised so that students must read source material or scholarly articles in advance and answer a question about it via a short assingment. Students are not required to go through all the study material; instead, the various source excerpts and articles are distributed among the group at the beginning of the course. This study material always forms the starting point for the lecture in question and is discussed and analysed together during the session.

All the study material will be distributed to the students through the course page in eLearn, and all communication with regard to this course will happen through the same page: https://elearn.uef.fi/course/view.php?id=14956.

Please notice that this page will be available only at the start of the course.

Completion methods:

The course consists of lectures with an active participation (32h), independent reading (63h), and writing different assignments (40h). Students are required to participate in at least 80% of the lectures.

Study materials:

A reader with excerpts from primary sources and secondary literature will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Assessment criteria:

The course is evaluated on the basis of two short assignments to be written in advance of the appropriate lectures (2/5), a final assignment (2/5), and the active participation during the course (1/5).

Maximum number of (UniPID) students:

25

Preliminary course timetable:

The course will consist of 16 sessions that will be organized at 10-12 (Finnish time). More detailed program can be found ib the table in below:

12.1.2027	Pre-colonial African empires
19.01.2027	Central Africa during the era of the slave trade (1500-1850)
26.01.2027	The Berlin Conference of 1884-85 and the exploitation of the Congo Free State
02.02.2027	Political and religious conflicts in a colonial setting
09.02.2027	Colonial economy
16.02.2027	Colonial education, health care and architecture
23.02.2027	Évolués and increasing nationalism
02.03.2027	The representation of Africa in the museum and colonial propaganda
16.03.2027	African personal dictatorships – Jean-Bedel Bokassa, emperor of the Central African Republic
23.03.2027	Socialism and self-reliance: the Tanzanian case
06.04.2027	The Cold War in Central Africa – Angolan independence and the Shaba Wars
13.04.2027	The impact of IMF, World Bank and EPA’s – The case of Zambia
20.04.2027	Rwandan genocide and the Great War of Africa
27.04.2027	Guest lecture with Lindsay Doran: Indigenous education among native Americans and the Sámi population in Finland
04.05.2027	Failed? democratisation processes from the 1990s – Kenya and South Sudan as case studies
11.05.2027	A “New Scramble for Africa”? - Continuing and increasing interest in mineral wealth

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