Part II – The So-Called Middle Ages
Unit VI – Medieval Africa
Assignments, Engagement, and Grades
Review the questions on this unit syllabus before reading each session’s materials. The guided questions function to
support your note-taking; addressing them will deepen your comprehension and prepare you for written work, class
discussions, and quizzes. Take notes when necessary, but annotate the primary sources in particular. In general, do
what you think will help you best understand the materials.
For each session, you are expected to come to class prepared to ask and answer questions; to offer ideas; to present
arguments; and to respond to classmates’ comments. In class, we will fully engage in discussion. Class engagement
includes critical listening and vocal involvement. Individual and collective grades will be determined by (1) class
engagement, (2) in- and out-of-class writing assignments, and (3) other comprehension assessments.
Remember, for any and all classes, your task is to massage the text—look for strengths and tensions in language,
patterns and trends, tone and voice, and connections to historical moments we have covered. Come to class prepared for
discussion; develop strong arguments, backed by evidence and analytical rigor.
--Session 1 – Misconceptions
 Materials
o “How to Write About Africa” by Binyavanya Wainaina
Session 2 – African Geography
 Materials
o Secondary – Excerpts from Beck et al., pp. 213-219
o Africa Map (Quiz TBD)
 As You Read
o What environments presented challenges to Africa as a continent?
o How and why did diverse cultures develop in Africa?
o What is the oldest known city of Africa south of the Sahara and what makes it
significant?
Session 3 – African Migrations
 Materials
o Secondary – Beck et al., 220-224
o In-Class Image Analysis of African Migrations
 As You Read
o What environmental, economic, and political factors caused broad migration patterns
in Africa?
o What were the causes and effects of Bantu migrations?
o How can the effects of one migration become a cause of another migration?
Session 4 – South and East African Kingdoms (Kilwa and Great Zimbabwe)
 Materials
o Secondary – Beck et al., 422-425
o Primary – “Ibn Battuta on Muslim Society at Mogadishu”
o In-Class Film Viewing on Great Zimbabwe
 As You Read
Part II – The So-Called Middle Ages
Unit VI – Medieval Africa

o What was Swahili a blend of? What conclusions can we draw about this
amalgamation?
o Who inhabited Great Zimbabwe in the 1000s? What happened to it by the 1400s?
As We Discuss
o Consider the effects of East African trade on different cultural groups.
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss
Session 5 – West African Kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, and Songhai)
 Materials
o Secondary – Beck et al., 413-417
o Primary – Al-Umari’s Reportage of Mansa Musa’s Visit to Cairo
 As You Read
o What major trade guided West African life? How did each good benefit buyers?
o What major faith tradition influenced West African empires?
 As We Discuss
o Compare Sundiata and Mansa Musa.
o Your contributions and [open-ended] questions to discuss