Survey of African History
Social Science Elective and Dual Enrollment Course
A Social Science Curriculum for Loudoun County Public Schools
Ashburn, Virginia, 2015
This curriculum document for the 11th and 12th grade African History elective is organized to help teachers plan and carry out
instruction conceptually, so that students build patterns and connections among and between ideas and points of information. There are
four units in the curriculum. Each unit’s learning objectives and key concepts are listed first, followed by a conceptual mind map
connecting the content. Following the mind map in each unit is a more linear and traditional textual outline with thematic points of
content and conceptual focus questions that students are expected to address. These questions are meant to frame the approach to the
particular content area in which they appear, and they are meant to define and illustrate our approach to African History—to allow
students to carry out inquiry learning wherever possible.
The primary guiding question for this course is: How have Economic, Socio-Cultural, and Political events been defined and determined by
the Geographical contexts in which human events in Africa have taken place? Each unit in this curriculum focuses on an answer to this
question from a particular discipline’s point of view, and is meant to connect to the geographical context.
Unit I focuses on the fundamentals of the geographical landscape of the continent of Africa.
Unit II examines the economic realities of different African regions and looks at economic-geographical interconnections.
Unit III is a study of the historical socio-cultural phenomena of different parts of the continent, and is meant to examine the socialgeographical interactions of these regions through history.
Unit IV is a study of the political events—both tumultuous and peaceful--that have unfolded through African History. Their connections
to geography as regional social phenomena will also be studied.
This course is meant to be a dual enrollment, semester course through the cooperation of Northern Virginia Community College. As
such, students are expected to have a serious commitment to learning about African History. Academic work will stress independent,
critical thinking, discussion, written work, and articulate presentation.
We hope teachers find that the concepts contained and explained in this document serve as a productive mental framework for students
and for themselves. This instructional layout and approach offers cognitive structures that are essential to the solid comprehension of
our curriculum content.
Ashburn, Virginia
Social Science & Global Studies
William F. Brazier, Supervisor
Patricia Coggins, Specialist
Robin Cottrill, Instructional Materials Technician
571-252-1370
*Many thanks to Kelly Rosati of Stone Bridge High School for her thoughtful work on this curriculum document.
Survey of African History
Unit I: The Geography of Africa
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Describe the major geographic features on the continent of Africa (desert, river, mountain, etc.) identify them by
name, and locate them on a map using latitude and longitude.
2. Describe the characteristics of five regions of Africa, and explain the key features that make them “regions.”
3. Explain why peoples have migrated to certain parts of Africa, and explain why people have settled in particular
locations.
4. Give examples of how humans have adapted to different environments on the African continent, and explain how
humans have interacted with their natural surroundings and how they have changed those surroundings.
Geography of Africa
I. Physical Geography...What are the main geographic features within Africa and where are they located?
A. Key Geographic Features...Students will be able to locate and identify key geographic features within Africa, using latitude and longitude.
1. Rivers
Nile...How does the Upper Nile River differ from the Lower Nile River?
Niger
Congo...What type of vegetation is found along the Congo River?
2. Deserts
Sahara...How large is the Sahara Desert and what is necessary to traverse its expanse?
Kalahari
3. Sahel...How is the Sahel unique and what is the environmental impact of desertification?
B. Regions of Africa...What are the regions of Africa and why do we divide them this way?
1. Key Characteristics...What type of physical environments are present in each of these regions?
North
South
Central
West
East
II. Cultural Geography
A. Settlement Patterns- Why have people settled where they settled?
1. Ex: Bantu...What were the Bantu Migrations and how did they impact Africa?
B. Adaptations to Environment...In which regions were these practices most prevalent and how did people adapt to their environments?
1. Hunting and Gathering
2. Pastoral
Cattle
3. Farming
Manioc...How and where is manioc grown and how was it incorporated into diets?
Kola Nut...How and where are kola nuts grown and how were they incorporated into diets and cultural practices?
Nile River...What is the nature of farming along the Nile River and what are the unique conditions of the environment?
Suggested Resources:
 History Alive! Physiographic Map of Africa
 Geography Alive! Unit 5: Africa

Chapter 19. The Nile River: A Journey from Source to Mouth

Chapter 20. Life in the Sahara and the Sahel: Adapting to a Desert Region
 UNC-Chapel Hill African Studies Department. www.africa.unc.edu
o I Didn’t Know There Were Cities in Africa! Challenging children’s and adult’s misperceptions about
the African Continent. By: Brenda Randolph and Elizabeth DeMulder. Teaching Tolerance
Magazine. Number 34, Fall 2008
 Google Earth Tour http://earth.google.com/support
Survey of African History
Unit II: The Economics of Africa
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify key economic resources in each of the following regions: Northern Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa,
Southern Africa.
2. Explain how the aforementioned economic resources impact economic relationships in each of the following regions: Northern
Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa.
3. Compare and contrast the regional economies of Africa in terms of methods of production and regional versus international
trade.
Africa: Economic
I.East Africa
A. Swahili Coast…What are the major imports and exports of the Swahili Coast?
B. Indian Ocean Trade…What are the major imports and exports of the Indian Ocean Trade and how is it impacted by the
monsoon winds?
C. Slave Trade…What nations or societies were involved in the slave trade in East Africa? Why?
II.Southern Africa…What have been the economic impacts of gold, cattle, and diamonds in Southern Africa?
A. Gold…Where was gold found, how is it mined, and what are the conditions like for the labourers?
B. Cattle…How are cattle raised in Southern Africa and what is their integral role in pastoral lifestyles?
C. Diamonds…Where were diamonds found, how are they mined, and what are the conditions like for the labourers?
III. Central Africa…What have been the economic impacts of gold, ivory, cattle, and rubber in Central Africa?
A. Gold…Where was gold found, how is it mined? What are the mining conditions like for the labourers? Why?
B. Ivory…Where does ivory come from, how is it obtained, and what is the environmental impact?
C. Cattle…How are cattle raised in Central Africa and what is their integral role in pastoral lifestyles?
D. Rubber…Where does rubber come from, how is it obtained, and what are the conditions like for the labourers? Case Study:
Belgian Congo
IV. West Africa…What have been the economic impacts of the gold-salt trade and the slave trade in West Africa?
A. Gold-Salt Trade…Why have gold and salt been so highly prized in the Trans-Saharan trade?
B. Slave Trade…What role(s) did West African people and societies play in the slave trade? Why?
V. Northern Africa…What has been the economic impact of trade in the Mediterranean Sea on Northern Africa?
A. Mediterranean-Sea Trade
Purple Dye
Suggested Resources:
 History Alive! Unit 3: The Culture and Kingdoms of West Africa
o 11. Early Societies in West Africa
o 12. Ghana: A West African Trading Empire
 Geography Alive! Unit 5: Africa
o 21. Micro-entrepreneurs: Women’s Role in the Development of Africa
 Books:
o African History Maps by: M. Kwamera-Poh, J. Tosh, M. Tudy, and R. Waller (1982).
o Mama Miti by: Donna Jo Napoli (True Story of Wangari Muta Maathi, winner of the 2004 Nobel
Peace Prize for bringing back trees to Kenya).
Survey of African History
Unit III: The Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Africa
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify several groups of people that reside in each region of Africa and describe their social structures.
2. Compare and Contrast societies with others within the same region as well as with different regions of Africa, and be able to
explain why certain similarities and differences may exist.
3. Describe the factors that have shaped these societies throughout the history of Africa and explain how these factors affected the
way people lived from day to day.
Africa: Socio-Cultural
I. East Africa…What social structures or statuses exist in these societies? How have different religious or cultural traditions
impacted these societies?
A. Axum
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
B. Ethiopia
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
C. Swahili Coast
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
II.Southern Africa… What social structures or statuses exist in these societies? How have they dealt with differences in
religious tradition, ethnicity, or cultural practices?
A. South Africa
B. San, Khoisan, Xhosa, Zulu
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
C. Great Zimbabwe
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
III.Central Africa…How have these societies dealt with migration and the mix of different cultures or ethnicities?
A. Bantu Migrations
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
B. Kongo
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
C. Lunda State
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
D. Luba State
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
IV.West Africa…What are the main religions and languages of West African societies? Have these had an impact on social
structures or inter-ethnic relations?
A. Ghana
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
B. Mali
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
C. Songhai
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
D. Wolof
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
E. Nok Culture
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
F. Hausa
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
V.Northern Africa…To what degree has Islam or Christianity been accepted in North Africa? How have indigenous religions
and traditions responded to these monotheisms? Why?
A. Egypt
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
B. Nubia/ Kush
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
C. Carthage
1. Culture
Language
Ethnicity
2. Religion
Suggested Resources:
 History Alive!
o 10. The Kingdom of Kush- Visual Discovery
 History Alive! Unit 3: The Culture and Kingdoms of West Africa
o 13. The Influence of Islam on West Africa
o 14. The Cultural Legacy of West Africa
 Geography Alive! Unit 5: Africa
o 22. Nigeria: A Country of Many Cultures
o 23. Resources and Power in Post-Apartheid South Africa
 National Museum of African Art- http://africa.si.edu
 South African Folk-Tales by James A. Honey, MD- www.sacred-texts.com/afr/saft/index.htm
 African Folktales for Kids- http://africa.mrdonn.org/fables.htm/
 Internet African History Sourcebook- www.fordham.edu/halsall/africa/africasbook.asp
 African Voices- www.mnh.si.edu/africanvoices/
 Sufi Islam in Senegal- powerpoint- www.africa.unc.edu
 Book:
o Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali by D.T. Niane
o Origin of Life on Earth: An African Creation Myth by Sandkofa, David A. Anderson and Kathleen
Atkin-Wilson. (Yoruba legend).
o The New King by Doreen Rappaport. (Madagascar Folktale).
o African Tales by Deina Mhlophe
Survey of African History
Unit IV: The Politics of Africa
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify major civilizations, nations, and countries within each region of Africa.
2. Analyze how political boundaries have been established within Africa over time.
3. Describe the factors that have shaped the political boundaries of Africa, and its political institutions over time.
4. Explain how historical political factors have affected the way people live in various African regions in 2012.
Africa: Political
I.
East Africa...How have the political boundaries of East Africa shifted over time and what caused these changes?
A. Ethiopia...What is the nature of political leadership within Ethiopia and the changes and continuities?
B. Swahili Coast...What is the nature of political leadership along the Swahili Coast and its changes and continuities?
A. International Relations...What are the political ramifications of the interaction between the Swahili Coast and both the Middle East and
India?
1. Middle East
2. India
B. 20th century Africa...What are the major events of the 20th century in East Africa and what makes them “major”?
II.
Southern Africa...How did the political boundaries of Southern Africa shift over time and what caused these changes?
A.San, Khoisan, Xhosa, Zulu...What is the leadership structure of each of these groups, and how have they interacted with one another and
others in Southern Africa?
B.Great Zimbabwe...Where is the Great Zimbabwe? What has been its influence and impact?
C. International Relations...What are the political ramifications of the interaction between Southern Africa and both Europe and the Indian Ocean?
1. Europe
2. Indian Ocean
D. 20th century Africa... What are the major events of the 20th century in Southern Africa and what makes them “major”?
III.Central Africa...How did the political boundaries of Central African shift over time and what caused these changes?
A. Bantu Migrations...What have been the routes, time periods, and impact of the Bantu Migrations?
B. International Relations...What are the political ramifications of the interactions between Central African societies, and between Central Africa and
Europe?
C. 20th Century Africa... What are the major events of the 20th century in Central Africa and what makes them “major”?
IV.West Africa...How did the political boundaries of West Africa shift over time and what caused these changes?
A. Ghana...What is the leadership structure of Ghana? How did it develop?
B. Mali...What is the role of the Mansa and the supporting bureaucracy within Mali?
C. Songhai...What is the leadership structure of Songhai? How has it developed?
D. International Relations...What are the political ramifications of the interaction between West Africa and both Europe and the Americas?
1. The Americas
2. Europe
E. 20th Century Africa... What are the major events of the 20th century in West Africa and what makes them “major”?
V.Northern Africa...How did the political boundaries of Northern Africa shift over time and what caused these changes?
A. Egypt...What is the nature of political leadership in Egypt, from the pharaohs to the present?
B. Kush/ Nubia...What is the leadership structure of Kush, and what has been the nature of its interactions with other civilizations?
C. Carthage...What has been the leadership structure of Carthage, and how has it interacted with other civilizations?
D. Ottoman Empire...Why has the Ottoman Empire been involved with North Africa? What has been its impact?
E. International Relations...What have been the political interests of North African societies, and how have they pursued them in
the Middle East, Asia, and Europe?
1. Middle East, Asia
2. Europe
F.
20th Century Africa... What are the major events of the 20th century in North Africa and what makes them “major”?
Suggested Resources:
*BBC: The Story of Africa- www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/index.shtml
* PBS- Wonders of the African World with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. www.pbs.org/wonders/
* Free online course in Modern Africa (Hist 252)- www.saylor.org/courses/hist252 (Sub-Saharan Africa from late
19th century to present day).
* Books:
* King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa by: Adam Hochschild
* Things Fall Apart by: Chinua Achebe
* Broken Memory: A Novel of Rwanda by: Elisabeth Combres
* A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by: Ishmael Beah (firsthand account)
* Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope by: Beverly Naidoo (Changing political realities of
South Africa from 1940’s to 2000).
* Burn My Heart by: Beverly Naidoo (1950’s Kenya)
* Movies:
* Cry Freedom! (Story of South African activist Steven Biko)
* Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony (Story of anti-apartheid protest music in South Africa)