Join us for an introduction to the major themes of imperial history in the past 200 years of African history, where we will contextualise many of the trends and challenges in the continent today and view Africa in a new light.
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This course is about the imperial and post-colonial histories of Africa since 1800. It offers a way to contextualise the trends and challenges in the continent today and invites students to see Africa in a new light.
The course covers a different theme each week. Each theme will be illustrated with case studies, from the European Scramble to the Rwandan genocide. Other core ideas, like Afrocentrism, agency, colonialism, and women’s rights will also be explored.
What will we cover?
Each week covers a theme: 1. Knowledge 2. Wealth 3. Rulers & Identity 4. Violence 5. States
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
-Describe modern Africa in a broad context. -Discuss the dominant narratives of Africa; especially those framing the continent as an under-developed ‘basket-case’ or consider Africans incapable of organisation or self-government. - critically assess the role of Western powers and their relations with Africa, be they imperial or current.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is introductory and open to all learners. No prior knowledge of Africa is required, although it is very much welcomed.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Interactive lecture. This will include discussion groups and Q & A.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students will find it easier if they make notes on the lectures and readings, but this is not essential.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see the African History area of the website.
Dr Sunday Ogunode holds a BA, in History and International Studies (First Class honours) and an MPhil and PhD in History. He started his university teaching career as a Graduate Fellow in 2009 and took on the position of Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) of African History in 2021. His research and teaching focused initially on the history of Sub-Saharan Africa and, within that, the socio-political history of Nigeria with a focus on kingship, kinship, and power politics since the pre-colonial period. More recently, he has extended his teaching and research to also encompass prisoners’ rights, prison labour, social justice, unjust imprisonment, and penal systems in modern Africa, peace/conflict studies, imperial history, and Africa’s relations with the global community. Well versed in higher education and the international research scene, Dr. Ogunode is very excited to meeting the learners of City Lit.
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/european-empires-in-africa1442245European empires in Africahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/u/european-empires-africa-hwh59-square.jpg189189GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history/Courses/Online courses228511771178197617311228511771178Join us for an introduction to the major themes of imperial history in the past 200 years of African history, where we will contextualise many of the trends and challenges in the continent today and view Africa in a new light.003069730European empires in Africa189189https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/u/european-empires-africa-hwh59-square_4.jpgInStockDaytimeSatOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekend2026-10-17T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH59189189European empires in Africa151123189Sunday Abraham Ogunodeeuropean-empires-in-africa/hwh59-2627Join us for an introduction to the major themes of imperial history in the past 200 years of African history, where we will contextualise many of the trends and challenges in the continent today and view Africa in a new light.0000-Available|2026-10-17 00:00:00<p>This course is about the imperial and post-colonial histories of Africa since 1800. It offers a way to contextualise the trends and challenges in the continent today and invites students to see Africa in a new light.<br><br>The course covers a different theme each week. Each theme will be illustrated with case studies, from the European Scramble to the Rwandan genocide. Other core ideas, like Afrocentrism, agency, colonialism, and women’s rights will also be explored.</p>Join us for an introduction to the major themes of imperial history in the past 200 years of African history, where we will contextualise many of the trends and challenges in the continent today and view Africa in a new light.<p>Each week covers a theme:<br>1. Knowledge<br>2. Wealth<br>3. Rulers & Identity<br>4. Violence<br>5. States<br><br></p>-Describe modern Africa in a broad context. <br>-Discuss the dominant narratives of Africa; especially those framing the continent as an under-developed ‘basket-case’ or consider Africans incapable of organisation or self-government. <br>- critically assess the role of Western powers and their relations with Africa, be they imperial or current.This course is introductory and open to all learners. No prior knowledge of Africa is required, although it is very much welcomed.<p>Interactive lecture. This will include discussion groups and Q & A.</p><p>Students will find it easier if they make notes on the lectures and readings, but this is not essential.</p><p>Please see the African History area of the website.<br><br></p>HistoryAfrican historyvirtual151189123HWH59NONESat17/10/26 - 21/11/2610:00 - 12:0010:0012:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekendOnlineOnlineSunday Abraham OgunodeBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-17T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeOct 2026Culture, history & humanities189189European empires in Africaeuropean-empires-in-africa/hwh59-2627Join us for an introduction to the major themes of imperial history in the past 200 years of African history, where we will contextualise many of the trends and challenges in the continent today and view Africa in a new light.0000-Available|2026-10-17 00:00:00<p>This course is about the imperial and post-colonial histories of Africa since 1800. It offers a way to contextualise the trends and challenges in the continent today and invites students to see Africa in a new light.<br><br>The course covers a different theme each week. Each theme will be illustrated with case studies, from the European Scramble to the Rwandan genocide. Other core ideas, like Afrocentrism, agency, colonialism, and women’s rights will also be explored.</p>Join us for an introduction to the major themes of imperial history in the past 200 years of African history, where we will contextualise many of the trends and challenges in the continent today and view Africa in a new light.<p>Each week covers a theme:<br>1. Knowledge<br>2. Wealth<br>3. Rulers &amp; Identity<br>4. Violence<br>5. States<br><br></p>-Describe modern Africa in a broad context. <br>-Discuss the dominant narratives of Africa; especially those framing the continent as an under-developed ‘basket-case’ or consider Africans incapable of organisation or self-government. <br>- critically assess the role of Western powers and their relations with Africa, be they imperial or current.This course is introductory and open to all learners. No prior knowledge of Africa is required, although it is very much welcomed.<p>Interactive lecture. This will include discussion groups and Q &amp; A.</p><p>Students will find it easier if they make notes on the lectures and readings, but this is not essential.</p><p>Please see the African History area of the website.<br><br></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
