Module manager: Professor Shane Doyle
Email: s.d.doyle@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module will analyse the key political developments in African history in the twentieth century, including the impact of colonial rule on Africans' lives, the development of violent and non-violent forms of nationalism, and the rise and fall of Apartheid in South Africa. The Module will also place heavy emphasis on social change, since this has been Africa's most significant contribution to modern world history. It will examine the importance of ethnicity, changes in the role and status of women, as well as religion, environmental change, population growth and AIDS. Finally, the module will consider the various development strategies adopted by different countries, and analyse the reasons why Africa is still the world's poorest continent. Content note: to discuss these themes effectively it is necessary for us to read/look at/discuss material which covers some topics which may be challenging for you, including gender violence, racist language, and mass murder. The module tutor can provide more information on this if required. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The module aims to evaluate the distinctive characteristics of modern African history. It seeks to identify continent-level processes of change, and to analyse these through the examination of country-level case studies. Lectures will be used to provide an overview of key developments and debates. Seminars will be used to analyse case studies, particularly through the examination of primary sources.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Analyse and evaluate conflicting historical interpretations on aspects of the history of modern Africa.
2. Evaluate and synthesise secondary texts to produce historical interpretation.
3. Critically assess Africa's distinctive contribution to modern global history.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Identify and analyse competing theories of historical change.
5. Critically interpret a range of primary sources.
6. Formulate evidence-based arguments.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 179.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Coursework: Practice primary source analysis during two separate seminars, maximum one page per source in length.
OTLA: Practice essay planning in one seminar, maximum one page in length.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Primary Source Exercise | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2025
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