The Maghreb in Global History

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_GABAGES227

Course Objective

At the end of the course students can:Understand key political, social and cultural debates and analytical concepts in the history and anthropology of the Maghreb.Interpret and assess a selection of (translated) primary sources (e.g. archival sources, ethnographies, oral traditions and oral histories, documentary films) relevant to the course topics.Reflect on key (sensitive) scholarly debates regarding migration, gender, colonialism, nationalism, and religion in the Maghreb and take up an informed position on them.

Course Content

This course introduces students to key debates in the history and anthropology of the Maghreb (with emphasis on Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia), while continuously connecting the region to world history at large. The course reflects on the history of both disciplines in the region and offers critical insights into the construction of historical and ethnographic knowledge. It provides insight into political, social, and cultural issues that have caught the attention of historians and anthropologists, such as Islam and religious minorities, gender, colonialism and the colonial legacy, nationalism, language and ethnicity, migration and development, and revolts and revolutions.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and seminars, 4 contact hours in total per week. Students should come to class prepared to actively discuss the readings.

Method of Assessment

Class participationWritten exam

Literature

A reading list of mandatory articles will be distributed at the beginning of the course. Recommended reading: P.C. Naylor, North Africa : a history from antiquity to the present (University of Texas Press 2015, Revised edition)

Target Audience

This course is an elective for BA 2 students Geschiedenis and BA2 students History and International Studies. The course is also open to BA2/3 students in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Political Science, and Theology and Religious Studies. Exchange students should have a background in any of these fields.

Custom Course Registration

Students from other disciplines should contact the course coordinator first.

Entry Requirements

Students must have successfully completed all their BA 1 courses.

Recommended background knowledge

Students must have successfully completed all their BA 1 courses.

Explanation Canvas

Teaching materials, including handouts and powerpoints, will be made available online on Canvas after each lecture and seminar. The literature used is available from the university library in digital format.
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Bachelor