HIS 311 African History to 1875 Fall 2011 (MWF 2-2:50pm)
		What's New? Dec. 11: Finals week office hours: M 11-2pm; W 12:30- 1:30pm; F noon-1pm Dec. 2: Posted third exam date/time (Fri. Dec. 16 at 3:30pm) Aug. 15: You are looking at http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his311.htm
Emergency? Call 610-436-3311

TEXTBOOK: Toyin Falola, editor, Africa, vol. 1. African History Before 1885 (Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2000 & 2003). ISBN 0-89089-768-9.
Other materials are avaiable at the African History Resource Page.

CONTEXT AND GOALS: This course examines how the history of Africa was shaped by geography and human activity. Successful students will achieve these departmental learning outcomes: understand the place of Africa in generally recognized historical eras; become familiar with the types of sources available on African history and acquire the ability to critique their use; understand the ways in which different thinkers have formulated their approach to African history; and construct arguments and communicate conclusions about these topics.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Read assignments before class and prepare comments and/or questions, attend class to discuss assignments, and pass three essay examinations and one map test.

ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend every class, although your professor understands that you may have other priorities that will occasionally prevent that. With that in mind, you are entitled to up to nine unexcused absences plus as many excused absences as you need. Each unexcused absence over nine will reduce your final grade by 1/3 of a letter. DEFINITIONS: An excused absence is one for which you can provide a verifiable written excuse concerning a medical condition, legal proceeding, university-sanctioned event or death of an immediate family member (i.e. parent, sibling or child). All other absences are unexcused. PLEASE NOTE: 1) If you face an extraordinary circumstance and believe you should receive special consideration, discuss it with your professor before you are absent -- requests made after an unexcused absence will not be considered. 2) The professor reserves the right to treat multiple incidents of tardiness as additional unexcused absences.

GRADING: First and second essay exams (20% each), map test (20%), class participation (10%), third essay exam (30% each). Perfect attendance will improve a borderline final grade.

Class discussion provides an opportunity to seek clarification on assigned readings, test your analysis and organize your thoughts. It is not a competitive event to see who speaks the most, but rather an opportunity to show your ability to exchange information with your colleagues.

The map test is designed to guarantee that everyone possesses the geographical knowledge needed to support all other class activities. For example, if everyone knows where the Niger River is located, they can more easily understand its role in the patterns of farmer-pastoralist relations. To make this task manageable, I provide a web page listing the places and features from which questions will be drawn.

Essay exams give each student a chance to respond to a broad, thematic question with arguments based on facts derived from primary and secondary sources. While literary skill and spelling/grammar are not primary concerns, weakness in those areas should not interfer with the clarity of your argument. The best essay exams include more detail, organized in a logical way and supported by factual statements of specific origin. These statements, from essays about the formation of West African empires, are organized from strongest to weakest:

• In trans-Saharan trade networks, family relationships like those described by Ibn Batutta served to guarantee faithfulness to oral agreements, and also provided lodging and other services for traveling merchants.
• Trans-Saharan traders relied on extended family networks to provide lodging and introductions to customers.
• The trans-Saharan trade relied on extended family networks to operate.
• Traders in the Sahara depended on relatives who lived in oases.

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: In brief, do NOT do this. Cheating is any act that "defrauds, deceives or employs trickery" in order to obtain credit for work which has not been completed. Plagiarization is the act of "passing off the ideas of another as one's own work." Anyone who cheats or plagiarizes will receive a penalty as provided for in the WCU Academic Integrity Policy.

DISABILITIES: We at West Chester University wish to make accomodations for persons with disabilities. Please make your needs known by contacting the professor and/or the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (located in 223 Lawrence Center) at 610-436-2564. Sufficient notice is needed in order to make the accommodations possible. University desires to comply with the ADA of 1990 by making accommodations

DISCRIMINATION: West Chester University prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment, of any individual based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, religious creed, disability or veteran status. This course incorporates the University's commitment to an environment free of discrimunation. Any individual having suggestions, problems, complaints or grievances with regard to equal opportunity or affirmative action is encouraged to contact the Director of Social Equity at 610-436-2433.

SUBSTANCE USE/ABUSE: West Chester University is committed to improving retention, graduation and time-to-degree rates by assisting students during key transitional periods in their academic careers. Because the professor believes that alcohol and drug issues can compromise student success, he has participated in the "Partners in Prevention" training program to learn how to recognize addiction and provide referrals to assistance. If you wish to talk about any of this -- in strictest confidence -- please contact the professor outside of class.

This syllabus is located at http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his311.htm.
Jim Jones' other course web sites are located at http:// courses.wcupa.edu/jones.