Instructional goals
This course aims at introducing students to the history, geography, and politics of Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Islam as a socio-political agent and contemporary security challenges. It is designed for students with no prior knowledge of African history, it emphasizes English-language sources and avoids reliance on Arabic or local languages.
Prerequisites
Basic notions of the geography of Africa. For an introduction to the history of Africa students may want to read Parker, John, African History. A Very Short Introduction, 2007.
Intended learning outcomes
1. Understand the historical foundations of Sub-Saharan African states, especially in the Red Sea region, and their interactions with other actors in the area.
2. Analyze the role of Islam in shaping political and economic systems across the Sahel and, especially, the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
3. Evaluate the drivers of Islamist militancy and its intersection with global terrorism.
4. Assess the impact of international actors (e.g., EU, China, Gulf States) on African security and development.
Course Contents
The course is structured around three main topics:
1. North Africa-Sahel Relations: Historical trade networks, economic interdependence, and diffusion of Islam.
2. Islamist Movements and Terrorism: Ideologies, actors, and conflicts in the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Red Sea regions.
3. International Competition: Geopolitical rivalries in emerging strategic zones (e.g., Red Sea, Gulf of Aden).
Reference Books
Villalón, Leonardo A (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel. 1st ed. Oxford University Press, 2021.
Bach, Jean-Nicolas. Routledge Handbook of the Horn of Africa. 1st ed. Routledge International Handbooks Series. Taylor & Francis Group, 2022
Other, non-compulsory, readings will be provided during classes.
Teaching Methods
A balanced combination of various teaching techniques including lectures, discussions, teamwork and other class activities as well as video materials will be implemented
Lessons will be based on lectures with slides in class which will introduce students to the specific topic, and seminar.
Attendance is mandatory, absences for internships are not justified (only in special cases authorized by the Area Director) other absences must be announced and motivated.
Assessment Method
The assessment is made through periodical quizzes at the end of each module of the course. Quizzes amount to 1/3 of the final evaluation for attending students.
Quizzes are primarily aimed at progressively verifying students’ learning process and coherently adapt teaching.
If a student cannot attend the course will prepare a paper (3000 words max) on a topic agreed with the teacher.
The final exam is oral and amounts to 2/3 of the final evaluation. It will deal with the program of the whole course, unless otherwise agreed with the class
Thesis assignment criteria
Final score 30/30 and good analytical skills.
If the final grade is 28/30 or less, the teacher may consider supervising the thesis if attendance and participation in the course activities have been commendable.
Week 1
Introduction to African Geography and Pre-Colonial States
Villalón, Leonardo A. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel. Oxford University Press, 2021 (chapter 1)
Week 2
Islam in Africa: Trans-Saharan Trade and Sufi Brotherhoods
Villalón, Leonardo A. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel. Oxford University Press, 2021 (chapters 28-29)
Periodical Quiz
Week 3
Colonialism and Borders: Legacy of Partition. Focus on Sahel and the Horn fo Africa.
Villalón, Leonardo A. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel. Oxford University Press, 2021 (chapter 2).
Zewde, Bahru. A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855–1991. 2nd edn. Ohio University Press, 2002, chapters 3-4.
Week 4
Post-Colonial Challenges: State Fragility and Identity Politics
Villalón, Leonardo A. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel. Oxford University Press, 2021 (chapter 3)
Zewde, Bahru. A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855–1991. 2nd edn. Ohio University Press, 2002, (chapter 5)
Periodical Quiz
Week 5
Economic Interdependence: Migration, Livelihoods, and Smuggling
Villalón, Leonardo A. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel. Oxford University Press, 2021 (chapters 37, 39)
Periodical Quiz
Week 6
Islamic Revival: Salafism and Sufism
Bach, Jean-Nicolas. Routledge Handbook of the Horn of Africa. 1st ed. Routledge International Handbooks Series. Taylor & Francis Group, 2022, (chapters 35 and 40).
Week 7
Case Study: Senegal-Morocco relations
Villalón, Leonardo A. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel. Oxford University Press, 2021(chapter 5)
Further readings will be provided during the lessons of this week (especially news reports to be analyzed)
Periodical quiz
Week 8
Defining Islamist Terrorism: Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, and AQIM
Villalón, Leonardo A. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel. Oxford University Press, 2021 (chapter 30)
Periodical quiz
Week 9
Horn of Africa: Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Red Sea Chokepoint
Erlich, Haggai. Rediscovering the Red Sea’s Historical Significance. Springer Nature Singapore, 2024. (chapter 9).
Week 10
Ethiopia and the access to the sea.
Erlich, Haggai. Rediscovering the Red Sea’s Historical Significance. Springer Nature Singapore, 2024. (chapter 10).
Lavergne, Marc. ‘The Red Sea, from world trade’s link to global conflicts’. Hérodote 196, no. 1 (2025): 3–29. https://doi.org/10.3917/her.196.0003.
Periodical quiz.
Week 11
Ethiopia and the Red Sea issue. Political and economic implications.
Tamru, Bezunesh. ‘Ethiopia and the Red Sea: a unifying myth and a vital commercial outlet’. Hérodote 196, no. 1 (2025): 31–47. https://doi.org/10.3917/her.196.0031.
Week 12
Other actors at the balcony of the Red Sea: Egypt and Eritrea.
Ayad, Christophe. ‘Egypt and the Red Sea’. Hérodote 196, no. 1 (2025): 151–61. https://doi.org/10.3917/her.196.0151.
Gascon, Alain. ‘Eritrea, a balcony on the Red Sea’. Hérodote 196, no. 1 (2025): 49–63. https://doi.org/10.3917/her.196.0049.