HIST 334 - From Empires to Aid Workers: Critical Histories of Humanitarianism in Africa

FC SSCI CD WADV

4 credits
How has international aid shaped Africa’s past and present? In this research course, we critically examine the history of humanitarian efforts, from colonial-era anti-slavery campaigns and religious missions to public health campaigns and contemporary development projects. We consider how aid in Africa has been entangled with historical questions about power, morality, care, dependency, and local agency, challenging familiar narratives about “saving” Africa. Students produce research projects that illuminate the complex, often contested effects of “help” on African communities while developing a historically-grounded understanding of how these practices continue to shape politics and societies across the continent.