HIS 1101: THEMES OF EAST AFRICAN HISTORY TO 1900

Course Description

This is a survey course from the cradle of man to the colonization of East Africa during the late 19th Century. The thematic approach is interdisciplinary and comparative to bring out the full flavour of interdependence in the study of History.

Objectives/Aims

•To trace the different stages man went through to develop into a social being.

•To highlight the interdependence of man first in East Africa and eventually globally in his long quest and march for survival and development.

•To acknowledge the process of survival and how it uniquely and crucially suited the pre-historic period making East Africa the cradle of man is.

•To appreciate the challenges that early livelihood had for man and the different coping strategies that evolved.

Course Outline

•Pre-history of East Africa

•East Africa – the Cradle of man

•Stone Age Culture

•Iron Age Revolution

•Neolithic Revolution

•Sources of East African History

•The Peopling and Settlement of East Africa

•State Formation

•Social Organizations

•The Growth of Coastal city states

•Production and Exchange relations

•Slavery and Slave trade

•Inter-state and long distance trade

•Islam and Christianity

•Inter-state relations

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students will be in position to appreciate fully the origin, challenges including triumphs and failures of man’s ongoing quest for masterly of nature and his environment. It is believed that with this background knowledge, the student of history will be equipped for detailed regional or specific studies.

Methods of Teaching/Delivery

Lectures, group discussions, student’s individual reading and tutorials will be the main means of delivery.

Assessment Method

•Progressive assessment through attendance, group and individual written and oral presentations will constitute 30%

•End of course examination will constitute 70%

Reading/Reference Materials

The reading list provided here below is just a guide. You are encouraged to benefit from other information sources as much as possible. To help you in this task, some extra readings will be listed at the end of each topic by the course tutor. Electronic journals are accessible but should you have any challenges, the Main Library has a team of excellent staff who assist in the access of the different data bases.

  1. Ogot, B.A., (ed), Zamani: A Survey of East African History, 2nd edition, Nairobi: E.A.P.H., 1974.
  2. J.A. Vansina, Oral Tradition – London 1965
  3. B.A. Ogot, History of Southern Luo (1967).
  4. Laurel & David Phillips on East Africa’s Prehistoric Plast (1978)
  5. J. Spenser Trimingham, Islam in East Africa (1965)
  6. Oliver, R., The Missionary Factor in East Africa, London: Longman, 1965
  7. Robinson & Gallaghu J.**, Africa & the Victorious (1961)
  8. Zwanenberg, RM.A., with King A., An Economic History of Kenya and Uganda, 1800-1970, Dar-es-Salaam: E.A.L.B., 1975