HIST 263 - Global Encounters in History: China and Africa

Is China a “new colonial power” that threatens to gobble up Africa’s natural resources? Or does China offer an alternative development model that results in a “win-win” relationship for Africa and nations starting to “look East?” Both sides in this heated current debate about China and Africa have overlooked the critical historical dimensions of China-Africa engagement. In this course we will begin by exploring the long history of interaction between Africa and East Asia, from the time of early sailing ships in the Indian Ocean through the Afro-Asian solidarities of the Cold War. We will focus specifically on the relationship between the People’s Republic of China and African nations, from the 1960s through to the present day. We will place these relations in context, not only historically but also in terms of global processes of economic, social and cultural interaction. We will use written texts, film and visual media, poetry, life stories and other resources to understand China-Africa relations from the perspective of everyday, lived experience. Each student will also carry out a research project on an individual topic. Meets global and/or comparative history requirement. Offered alternate years. (4 Credits)