DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION

Course Outline and Reading List

First Semester 2024/2025 Academic Year

POLI 113: Colonialism and Nationalism in Africa

Lecturer(s): Dr. Thomas Prehi Botchway

Dr. Abdul Hakim Ahmed

Email (s): abeikuprehi@yahoo.com; tpbotchway@uew.edu.gh

ahajatikey@gmail.com

Course Description & Objectives

This course focuses on the historical analyses of the advent of colonial imperialism in Africa and

the supposed mission of the European colonizers and their interferences in the governance

processes of the indigenous African states. The course also explores the pre-colonial policies,

anti-colonial struggle and ramifications on Africa’s independence and development.

Many scholars argue that Africa was colonized by Europe without much resistance from the

former. Africa’s colonial experience has been variously classified by different writers – while

some believe that the continent’s colonization was the worst thing that ever happened to the

continent and is also responsible for the current challenges on the continent; others consider the

colonization of Africa as a blessing. This Course will help us appreciate the facts and myths in

these issues. Thus, the purpose of the Course is to provide students with the proper

understanding of the concept of colonialism and how Europe colonized Africa; the impact of
these colonial activities; how Africans gained control of their continent and the aftermath of the

independence struggle. In effect, the Course examines how and why European nations made

their way to Africa and established political administration over various territories on the African

continent and looks at some efforts by African Nationalists to resist colonialism and demand

independence from these European colonialists, especially in the aftermath of the Second World

War.

Course Objectives

By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

 Define and explain relevant concepts and ideas such as colonialism, nationalism, etc. and

give a panoramic overview of pre-colonial Africa;

 Identify and explain the capitalist penetration of Africa;

 Give reasons/factors for the scramble for Africa;

 Describe the nature of the political and administrative institutions that existed in Africa

prior to colonialism and nationalism;

 Describe the colonial economy before de-colonization;

 Identify and explain the political and economic impacts of colonialism on Africa;

 Understand the various nationalists’ efforts that led to the decolonization of the African

continent;

 Apply the knowledge acquired to understand Africa’s current position in the global

system and how efforts can be made to strengthen the continent’s status in the world.
Course Requirements

Students studying this course are expected to participate fully in class discussions and

assignments which may be given by the lecturer(s). There shall be compulsory

interim/continuous assessment (I/CA) which constitute 40%. The End of Semester Examination

will take the remaining 60% and all students are entreated to take part in both assessments.

Students who fail to participate in the CA are by the rules and regulations of the University

disqualified from writing the End of Semester Exams!

Students are encouraged to do all the necessary reading assignments and research before and

after lectures. Active participation and teamwork in class discussion are also essential for

successful completion of this course. Regular class attendance is a prerequisite for successful

completion of this course.

Course Content/Lecture Outline

 Discussion of the Course Outline and Course Requirements

 General Overview of the African Continent

 Indigenous African Political Systems

 The Colonization of African States

 The British Colonial Administration

 French Colonial Administration

 Understanding the Nature and Scope of Portuguese, Belgian, and German Colonial

Policies

 Examining the Impact of Colonial Rule on Africa

 Fighting Colonial Rule in Africa: The Nationalist Agenda

 Proto-Nationalism: Features, Factors, and Forms

 The New Age of African Independence: Political v Economic Independence

Recommended Reading List

The reading list provided in the outline serves as a guide to students in their study. However, any

standard book on the colonization of Africa and African nationalists’ or anti-colonial activities

may be consulted for more information. It must however be noted that the book “Africa: From

Colonialism to Independence” is a student-friendly material for the course. Students are

encouraged to make the material a companion as it captures key issues to be discussed during the

semester.

Reading List

Adi, H. (2018). Pan-Africanism: A History. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

African Union Commission. (2020). The Africa Fact Book: Busting the Myths. (B. Ankomah,

Ed.) South Africa: Book of African Records and African Union Commission.

Baffour-Awuah, S. S. (2011). Africa: A Pawn in International Power Politics. Accra: Kwasi

Amfo Kwakye.

*Brako, I., & Asah-Asante, K. (2015). Africa: From Colonialism to Independence. Accra: Black

Mask Ltd.

Cooper, F. (1996). Decolonization and African Society: The Labor Question in French and

British Africa. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Cooper, F. (2005). Colonialism in Question: Theory, Knowledge, History. Berkeley and Los

Angeles: University of California Press.

Catalyst for Events in the Next 5 Decades-Ending 2009. Accra: S.N.O. Dabi-Dankwa.

Falola, T., & Essien, K. (2014). Pan-Africanism, and the Politics of African Citizenship and

Identity. New York and London: Routledge.

Fanon, F. (1963). The Wretched of the Earth. New York: Grove Press.

Fanon, F. (1964). Toward the African Revolution: Political Essays. New York: Grove Press.

Ninsin, K. A. (2012). Globalized Africa: Political, Social and Economic Impact. Accra: Freedom

Publications.

Oliver, R., & Atmore, A. (1996). Africa since 1800 (4th ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University

Press.

Rodney, W. (1973). Colonialism as a System for Underdeveloping Africa. In W. Rodney, How

Europe Underdeveloped Africa (pp. 320-448). London and Dar-Es-Salaam: Bogle-L'Ouverture

Publications and Tanzanian Publishing House.

Táíwò, O. (2010). How Colonialism Preempted Modernity in Africa. Bloomington: Indiana

University Press.

Tordoff, W. (2002). Government and Politics in Africa (4th ed.). Hampshire: Palgrave

Macmillan.

Documentaries

1. White King, Red Rubber, Black Death

2. Colonialism in Africa: Yesterday, today and tomorrow | DW News Africa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzxWd_F7bDU

3. How France (Still) Controls Africa

5. The Difference Between French and British Colonialism in Africa