African Nationalism: The Rise of the African Intelligentsia, 1820-1975
Dive into the history of the emergence of modern African states through a study of the lives and works of the intellectuals who spearheaded the independence movements and the institutions which nurtured them.
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Examine how a new type of intellectual emerged as leaders in different national groups, how they distinguished themselves from the old ruling classes, and how they cultivated new political identities rooted in ideas of republicanism and individual liberty. This new group of leaders led the anti-imperial struggle, defining and defending new national identities, leading to the emergence of modern African states. Key to this will be understanding the link between this new intelligentsia and the growth of university education among Africans, including the rise of the African university and traditions of travelling to other countries for education.
What will we cover?
The course consists of the following 6 sessions:
Sierra Leone, Fourah Bay College, and Africanus Horton’s nationalism
Liberia, Liberia College, and Edward Blyden’s nationalist educational policy
The Gold Coast, the Inns of Court, and J E Casely Hayford’s defence of native laws
Nigeria, Black American Universities, and Nnamdi Azikiwe’s anti-imperialism
Senegal, Négritude, the Paris intelligentsia, and Leopold Senghor’s nationalism
South Africa, the apartheid student movement, and Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of this course, students should understand:
The meaning of the term “African Nationalism” and the different ways it has manifested over the last two hundred years
The modern history of education in Africa and its links to the growth of nationalist sentiment
The link between nationalism and anti-imperialism
The role of Africa’s new intellectuals in the founding of modern African states
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for complete beginners or those with a curiosity about the topic.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be a mixture of lecture, source analysis, and group discussion. Sources could include maps, photographs, drawings, political tracts, sermons, diary entries, and extracts from historical articles.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see the Africa history section of the CL website.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/african-nationalism-the-rise-of-the-african-intelligentsia-1820-19752821899African Nationalism: The Rise of the African Intelligentsia, 1820-1975https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpg169169GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history/Courses/vm/Black history month22851177117819761347812285117711781653<p>Dive into the history of the emergence of modern African states through a study of the lives and works of the intellectuals who spearheaded the independence movements and the institutions which nurtured them.</p>002821863African Nationalism: The Rise of the African Intelligentsia, 1820-1975169169https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/history-epidemics-HHS06-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-08T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH257169169African Nationalism: The Rise of the African Intelligentsia, 1820-1975135110169Apeike Umoluafrican-nationalism-the-rise-of-the-african-intelligentsia-1820-1975/hwh257-2526<p>Dive into the history of the emergence of modern African states through a study of the lives and works of the intellectuals who spearheaded the independence movements and the institutions which nurtured them.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-08 00:00:00<p>Examine how a new type of intellectual emerged as leaders in different national groups, how they distinguished themselves from the old ruling classes, and how they cultivated new political identities rooted in ideas of republicanism and individual liberty. This new group of leaders led the anti-imperial struggle, defining and defending new national identities, leading to the emergence of modern African states. Key to this will be understanding the link between this new intelligentsia and the growth of university education among Africans, including the rise of the African university and traditions of travelling to other countries for education. </p><p>Dive into the history of the emergence of modern African states through a study of the lives and works of the intellectuals who spearheaded the independence movements and the institutions which nurtured them.</p><p>The course consists of the following 6 sessions:</p><ul><li>Sierra Leone, Fourah Bay College, and Africanus Horton’s nationalism</li><li>Liberia, Liberia College, and Edward Blyden’s nationalist educational policy</li><li>The Gold Coast, the Inns of Court, and J E Casely Hayford’s defence of native laws</li><li>Nigeria, Black American Universities, and Nnamdi Azikiwe’s anti-imperialism</li><li>Senegal, Négritude, the Paris intelligentsia, and Leopold Senghor’s nationalism</li><li>South Africa, the apartheid student movement, and Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness</li></ul><p text-align:justify=""> </p><p>By the end of this course, students should understand:</p><ul><li>The meaning of the term “African Nationalism” and the different ways it has manifested over the last two hundred years</li><li>The modern history of education in Africa and its links to the growth of nationalist sentiment</li><li>The link between nationalism and anti-imperialism</li><li>The role of Africa’s new intellectuals in the founding of modern African states</li></ul><p text-align:justify=""> </p><p>The course is suitable for complete beginners or those with a curiosity about the topic.</p><p>The course will be a mixture of lecture, source analysis, and group discussion. Sources could include maps, photographs, drawings, political tracts, sermons, diary entries, and extracts from historical articles.</p><p>No. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes. </p><p>Please see the Africa history section of the CL website. </p>HistoryAfrican historyvirtual135169110HWH257NONEFri08/05/26 - 12/06/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetApeike UmoluBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-08T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities169169African Nationalism: The Rise of the African Intelligentsia, 1820-1975african-nationalism-the-rise-of-the-african-intelligentsia-1820-1975/hwh257-2526<p>Dive into the history of the emergence of modern African states through a study of the lives and works of the intellectuals who spearheaded the independence movements and the institutions which nurtured them.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-08 00:00:00<p>Examine how a new type of intellectual emerged as leaders in different national groups, how they distinguished themselves from the old ruling classes, and how they cultivated new political identities rooted in ideas of republicanism and individual liberty. This new group of leaders led the anti-imperial struggle, defining and defending new national identities, leading to the emergence of modern African states. Key to this will be understanding the link between this new intelligentsia and the growth of university education among Africans, including the rise of the African university and traditions of travelling to other countries for education. </p><p>Dive into the history of the emergence of modern African states through a study of the lives and works of the intellectuals who spearheaded the independence movements and the institutions which nurtured them.</p><p>The course consists of the following 6 sessions:</p><ul><li>Sierra Leone, Fourah Bay College, and Africanus Horton’s nationalism</li><li>Liberia, Liberia College, and Edward Blyden’s nationalist educational policy</li><li>The Gold Coast, the Inns of Court, and J E Casely Hayford’s defence of native laws</li><li>Nigeria, Black American Universities, and Nnamdi Azikiwe’s anti-imperialism</li><li>Senegal, Négritude, the Paris intelligentsia, and Leopold Senghor’s nationalism</li><li>South Africa, the apartheid student movement, and Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness</li></ul><p text-align:justify=""> </p><p>By the end of this course, students should understand:</p><ul><li>The meaning of the term “African Nationalism” and the different ways it has manifested over the last two hundred years</li><li>The modern history of education in Africa and its links to the growth of nationalist sentiment</li><li>The link between nationalism and anti-imperialism</li><li>The role of Africa’s new intellectuals in the founding of modern African states</li></ul><p text-align:justify=""> </p><p>The course is suitable for complete beginners or those with a curiosity about the topic.</p><p>The course will be a mixture of lecture, source analysis, and group discussion. Sources could include maps, photographs, drawings, political tracts, sermons, diary entries, and extracts from historical articles.</p><p>No. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes. </p><p>Please see the Africa history section of the CL website. </p>HistoryAfrican historyconfigurable
19761178African historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history1/2/285/1177/1178/19761/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history
