PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme aims to train students who will be able to develop and apply sound conceptual, analytical and critical skills that are required for an in-depth study of varied issues and themes in African History. The major objective of this programme is to produce students who will produce new forms of knowledge and competencies relating to African history in a global intercultural environment.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to this programme should normally hold a good Honours Degree in a relevant field such as History, International Studies/Affairs and Economic History. The Department may, at the discretion of the Departmental Board, require an applicant to attend a pre-admission interview or examination to satisfy itself of the candidate’s ability to complete the programme applied for. Eligibility will not guarantee admission.

AREAS OF STUDY

Historiography and Research Methods in African History, Environmental History of Africa, Issues in African History before 1900, Political Economy of Africa from Colonialism, Historical Dimensions of Human Rights and Governance in Africa, Africa in the Contemporary World, Peace and Strategic Studies in Africa, and History of Medicine and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Africa. 

SPECIALIST FOCUS

Historiography and research methods, the historical developments in pre-colonial, colonial and independent Africa and human rights and democracy in Africa.

ORIENTATION    

The programme takes a multi-dimensional approach. Tolerance of different historical backgrounds will be taken into account.                              

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

Presentations may be expected from non- academics such as veterans of wars, politicians, herbalists and those from NGO sectors.

Grooming potential academics and researchers

Independent research

Book reviews

GENERAL PROVISIONS

.    Each module offered at M.A carries 30 credits and the dissertation, 90 credits. (Refer to Section 26 of the General Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees).

.    The total number of credits required for the Master of Arts shall be at least 360.

.    Examinations for each module will normally be sat at the end of each semester for each module on the dates to be advised by the University Examinations Office.

.    To be admitted to any of the examinations of the degree, the student must:

.    Be registered for the degree with the Midlands State University in accordance with the General Regulations for students,

.    Have attained continuous assessment marks, and

.    Have attended at least 80% of the lectures offered in the module for which the examination is to be sat.

EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates with an MA in African History will have career opportunities in the academic sector as lecturers and researchers. They are also employable as archivists, in the public sector, the NGO sector, heritage management and politics.

FURTHER STUDIES

Doctoral studies in History, African studies, International Affairs and related fields

 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Level 1 Semester 1

Code         Module Description                                                                    Credits

Core modules

MAAH 712  Historiography and Research Methods in African History                   30

MAAH 713  Issues in African History before 1900                                                30

MAAH 714  Political Economy of Africa since Colonialism                                    30

Electives

MAAH 715  Historiography of African Diaspora                                                   30

MAAH 716  Africa in the Contemporary World                                                30

 

Level 1 Semester 2

Core modules

MAAH 720  History of Medicine and IKS in Africa                                           30

MAAH721  Environmental History of Africa                                                         30

                                                    

Electives

MAAH 722  Peace and Strategic Studies in Africa                                                 30

MAAH 723  History of Human Rights and Governance in Africa                       30               

 

Level 2 Semester 1

MAAH 730  Dissertation                                                                                  90

MODULE SYNOPSES

MAAH 712 Historiography and Research Methods in African History

The module examines the study of the writing of African history. The module addresses imperial or colonial historiography and African Historiography which was popularised during the decolonisation period. Students will also be exposed to critical criticism of hagiographical writings. The economic, political and gender influences the writing of history will be covered in detail. The module also pays special attention to the evolution of Zimbabwean historiography from the colonial to the post-colonial period and the rise of the neo-nationalist influenced patriotic historiography. The module also examines the diverse sources of history, techniques and methodologies of acquisition of historical knowledge before delving into the approaches to analysis and presentation of historical data. The issue of the growth and significance of ethical considerations in research is also covered in detail.  Lastly, students are exposed to approaches to thesis writing.

MAAH 713 Issues in African History before 1900

The module seeks to expose the student to a broad array of debates, sources and methodology around critical issues defining African identity and experience in the period before European colonialism became confirmed in earnest on the African continent. Human settlement and spread on the continent will be appreciated from pre-historic period, continuous interaction among Africans themselves and between them and other people from other continents and civilisations will be accounted for. This is done in a wider context of existing source material and the historiography behind the production of this knowledge.

MAAH 714 Political Economy of Africa since Colonialism

The module addresses the development and transformations in the political economy of Africa from the colonial to the post-colonial period. It examines how colonisation destroyed and integrated African economies into the world capitalist system. It looks at the nature of the colonial economy and modes of exploitation of Africa by different colonial powers, and how the core-periphery relationship was maintained. Students will also be introduced to debates about the three types of colonialism in Africa which determined the impact of colonialism in the different colonial states. Also significant in this module will be the analysis of African agencies in political and economic developments in colonial Africa. The module also pays attention to the contradictions of the colonial state which led to its demise. The module goes further to explore political and economic issues surrounding Africa after attaining independence from former colonial powers. It focuses on Africa’s attempts to transform itself from a colonial entity to economic and political sovereignty.  It explores issues of neo-colonialism, dependency (Africa as autonomous colonies), sanctions and underdevelopment or reverse development. Internal economic and political challenges retarding development such as corruption, bad governance, violence, ethnicity, coups, civil wars, genocide, politics of personal rule or dictatorship and political instability, in general, will be examined.

MAAH 715 Historiography of African Diaspora

The module examines wider social, economic and political issues of the African diaspora, the Atlantic slave trade, the history of African-American-Caribbean societies, modern trends in international migration and the history of diasporic minorities.

MAAH 716 Africa in the Contemporary World

The module examines development strategies in Africa, key elements of socio-economic and political processes, African countries’ foreign policies, regionalism and globalisation. The module will offer a broad interdisciplinary introduction to the study of contemporary Africa. Students will gain knowledge of key concepts and themes as well as the theoretical and methodological debates that are critical for understanding the changing continent. Key themes include democracy and the state, citizenship and identity, poverty and economic change, cities, popular culture, aid and debt, migration, civil war and conflict.

MAAH 720 History of Medicine and IKS in Africa

The module explores major themes in the medical history of Africa, such as the evolution of ideas about wellness and healing in the pre-colonial period, the dynamics of colonial and missionary medicine and Africa’s medical history in the post-colonial period and its interface with indigenous knowledge systems. Issues and realities surrounding Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and indigenous technology as a basis for modern science will be examined in detail. The module deals with the practice of traditional medicine in Africa since the pre-colonial period. It also explores the historical and philosophical background of the practice of African traditional medicine, its demonisation during the colonial period and its revival after independence. The module concludes by examining Africa’s dependency on Western medicine at its peril.

MAAH 721 Environmental History of Africa

Human population dynamics, Land use, aspects of urbanisation, water resources, pollution, economics and environment, politics and environment, environmental ethics and hope, species introduction and endangered species and environmental organisations.

MAAH 722 Peace and Strategic Studies in Africa

The module considers peace theories and practice and the broad subjects of violence and conflict. The module introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of peace and strategic studies. It takes them through the evolution of peace and strategic studies as an academic endeavour, its history, its philosophical background and scientific nature, its orientation and definitive issues, and professional networks. Core concepts of peace, conflict and conflict analysis, and violence are treated. Subfields and domains to be covered include development, humanitarian action, peace education, strategic studies, gender studies/advocacy, nonviolent resistance, security, and conflict or dispute resolution. The module is a detailed and systematic examination of the key military strategic issues affecting Africa in a historical and cultural context. A heavy focus will be placed on the role of security policy and military strategy, especially with the aspect of securing access to strategic resources. The module will also consider the causes and implications of weak and failing states in sub-Saharan Africa and the measures that are taken to prevent or reverse state failure.

MAAH 723 History of Human Rights and Governance in Africa

The module takes a historical approach to the concepts of human rights and democracy in Africa. As a fairly new field of study from a historical perspective, the module starts by examining the historiography of human rights and democracy. The main agenda will mainly be to demythologise and decolonise the way issues of human rights and good governance are studied. It will demonstrate that human rights and good governance (or democratic systems) co-existed with rampant human rights violations and authoritarianism in precolonial, colonial and post-colonial times. It will expose students to the double standards and hypocrisy of the African elite in the promotion of good governance and human rights. By the end of the semester, the students should have mastered the debates, controversies and counter-debates on the two major historical themes.

MAAH 870 Dissertation

The Dissertation is 20000- 25000 words based on a wide research in the area of study.