East and Central African history - a brief introduction
Want to know more about East and Central African history but not sure where to start? Join us in this course to get a footing and build knowledge and appetite for more African history!
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
The 5-session introductory course will explore different aspects of the economic, social, cultural, religious and political histories of the Nile and Congo river systems across East and Central Africa from 800 BC to our own moment in time.
What will we cover?
A journey through time and space, this course will move across the Nile and Congo river systems, with each session bringing us closer to our own moment in time.
Together, we will explore the ancient, early medieval and late medieval societies, kingdoms and sultanates, the colonial states imposed by Western European imperial and colonial powers and, lastly, the independent countries we can find on maps, in headlines and UN bodies today.
Session 1: 800 BCE-400 CE (e.g. Kush)
Session 2: 400 CE-1300 CE (e.g. Aksum and the Nubian Kingdoms)
Session 3: 1300-1600 CE (e.g. the Kongo Empire, post-Zagwe Solomonic Ethiopia and Funj Sultanate)
Session 4: 1600-1850 CE (e.g. the Kongo Empire)
Session 5: 1850-2027 CE (e.g. Belgian Congo/DRC, Sudan/South Sudan and Ethiopia)
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
recognise wider African history as rich, complex and important in its own right and also as vital to understanding global history
appreciate the wider importance of geography and climate in relation to the histories of these river systems defining these two major regions of Africa and beyond
demonstrate an understanding of and ability to discuss political, economic, cultural, religious and social histories of these two major regions regions of Africa and their global connections
link past and present to dispel simplistic depictions and understandings of East and Central Africa in political narratives and media headlines in our own moment in time
engage in further studies of African history on your own, at City Lit or elsewhere
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.
However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will combe teacher presentation, handouts, class discussion and some light optional materials to explore between sessions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for notetaking.
Martin Ottovay Jorgensen is a historian by education (BA, MA and PhD in Denmark and Belgium). As a teacher in higher education and further education, he has taught courses on world and global history; African history, Asian history, imperial and colonial history; the history of international organisations; peace and conflict; global issues and international relations as well as how memory is an active dimension in community-building, society, politics, international relations, conflict and corporate branding. At City Lit, Martin heads the Department of Humanities and teaches across history and politics. He strives to promote history as a socially relevant way of thinking and to give each class and course a horizon beyond itself. Perhaps more importantly, Martin sees the active promotion of robust historical thinking as a democratic practice of vital importance to both the workings of our democracy and the embracing and valuing of our multi-cultural and diverse society.
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/east-and-central-african-history-a-brief-introduction3097330East and Central African history - a brief introductionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/modern-african-history-hwh178-1024.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history228511771178121019761228511771178<p>Want to know more about East and Central African history but not sure where to start? Join us in this course to get a footing and build knowledge and appetite for more African history! </p>003097324East and Central African history - a brief introduction159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/modern-african-history-hwh178-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-15T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHWH325159159East and Central African history - a brief introduction127103159Martin Jorgenseneast-and-central-african-history-a-brief-introduction/hwh325-2627<p>Want to know more about East and Central African history but not sure where to start? Join us in this course to get a footing and build knowledge and appetite for more African history! </p>0000-Available|2027-01-15 00:00:00<p>The 5-session introductory course will explore different aspects of the economic, social, cultural, religious and political histories of the Nile and Congo river systems across East and Central Africa from 800 BC to our own moment in time.</p><p> </p><p>Want to know more about East and Central African history but not sure where to start? Join us in this course to get a footing and build knowledge and appetite for more African history! </p><p>A journey through time and space, this course will move across the Nile and Congo river systems, with each session bringing us closer to our own moment in time.</p><p>Together, we will explore the ancient, early medieval and late medieval societies, kingdoms and sultanates, the colonial states imposed by Western European imperial and colonial powers and, lastly, the independent countries we can find on maps, in headlines and UN bodies today.</p><ul><li>Session 1: 800 BCE-400 CE (e.g. Kush)</li><li>Session 2: 400 CE-1300 CE (e.g. Aksum and the Nubian Kingdoms)</li><li>Session 3: 1300-1600 CE (e.g. the Kongo Empire, post-Zagwe Solomonic Ethiopia and Funj Sultanate)</li><li>Session 4: 1600-1850 CE (e.g. the Kongo Empire)</li><li>Session 5: 1850-2027 CE (e.g. Belgian Congo/DRC, Sudan/South Sudan and Ethiopia)</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><ul><li>recognise wider African history as rich, complex and important in its own right and also as vital to understanding global history</li><li>appreciate the wider importance of geography and climate in relation to the histories of these river systems defining these two major regions of Africa and beyond</li><li>demonstrate an understanding of and ability to discuss political, economic, cultural, religious and social histories of these two major regions regions of Africa and their global connections </li><li>link past and present to dispel simplistic depictions and understandings of East and Central Africa in political narratives and media headlines in our own moment in time</li><li>engage in further studies of African history on your own, at City Lit or elsewhere</li></ul><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.<br><br>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.<br><br>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>The course will combe teacher presentation, handouts, class discussion and some light optional materials to explore between sessions.</p><p>There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for notetaking.</p><p>See more related courses <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> and <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/world-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p>HistoryAfrican historyCulture, history & humanitiesHistoryGlobal & imperial historyvirtual127159103HWH325NONEFri15/01/27 - 12/02/2712:45 - 14:4512:4514:455 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMartin JorgensenBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-15T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Culture, history & humanities159159East and Central African history - a brief introductioneast-and-central-african-history-a-brief-introduction/hwh325-2627<p>Want to know more about East and Central African history but not sure where to start? Join us in this course to get a footing and build knowledge and appetite for more African history! </p>0000-Available|2027-01-15 00:00:00<p>The 5-session introductory course will explore different aspects of the economic, social, cultural, religious and political histories of the Nile and Congo river systems across East and Central Africa from 800 BC to our own moment in time.</p><p> </p><p>Want to know more about East and Central African history but not sure where to start? Join us in this course to get a footing and build knowledge and appetite for more African history! </p><p>A journey through time and space, this course will move across the Nile and Congo river systems, with each session bringing us closer to our own moment in time.</p><p>Together, we will explore the ancient, early medieval and late medieval societies, kingdoms and sultanates, the colonial states imposed by Western European imperial and colonial powers and, lastly, the independent countries we can find on maps, in headlines and UN bodies today.</p><ul><li>Session 1: 800 BCE-400 CE (e.g. Kush)</li><li>Session 2: 400 CE-1300 CE (e.g. Aksum and the Nubian Kingdoms)</li><li>Session 3: 1300-1600 CE (e.g. the Kongo Empire, post-Zagwe Solomonic Ethiopia and Funj Sultanate)</li><li>Session 4: 1600-1850 CE (e.g. the Kongo Empire)</li><li>Session 5: 1850-2027 CE (e.g. Belgian Congo/DRC, Sudan/South Sudan and Ethiopia)</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><ul><li>recognise wider African history as rich, complex and important in its own right and also as vital to understanding global history</li><li>appreciate the wider importance of geography and climate in relation to the histories of these river systems defining these two major regions of Africa and beyond</li><li>demonstrate an understanding of and ability to discuss political, economic, cultural, religious and social histories of these two major regions regions of Africa and their global connections </li><li>link past and present to dispel simplistic depictions and understandings of East and Central Africa in political narratives and media headlines in our own moment in time</li><li>engage in further studies of African history on your own, at City Lit or elsewhere</li></ul><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.<br><br>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.<br><br>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>The course will combe teacher presentation, handouts, class discussion and some light optional materials to explore between sessions.</p><p>There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for notetaking.</p><p>See more related courses <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> and <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/world-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p>HistoryAfrican historyCulture, history & humanitiesHistoryGlobal & imperial historyconfigurable
12101178Global & imperial historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/world-history1/2/285/1177/1178/12101/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Global & imperial history
