HIST 575 - History of Women in Africa

Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0

The study of women’s roles and contributions in history has become a major discipline. This course is designed to look at one segment of women in history - women in sub- Saharan Africa. Using scholars who articulate the insights of the most recent scholarship, the course intends to present an overview of women’s past and present contributions to African development as well as the many obstacles to their further economic and social progress. The course will explore women’s history in the region as it has changed over time under pre-colonial, colonial, and independence governments. It will address the wide range of variations in women’s social position in Africa as well as the effect of cultural influences imposed by outsiders. Divided into three parts, it will address many current women’s issues under the following topics: Women in the Economy, Women in Society and Culture, and Women in Politics and Policy Making. Specifically addressed are the current issues of women as heads of households, female circumcision (female genital mutilation), multiple wives, child care, control over women’s labor and the proceeds from that labor, the feminist movement, women in the military, women’s role in politics and the effect of local and international governmental policy on women.

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Academic Catalog

HIST 575 - History of Women in Africa