Senior Seminar

Mau Mau, History and Historiography

Hist 400

 

Instructor: Esperanza Brizuela-Garcia, Ph.D.

Schedule:    Hist 400 Wednesdays 5:30 Ð 8:00pm.

Contact Information: Office hours: Wednesday and Friday 10:15- 11:15am and Friday 2:30 Ð 3:30pm.

Email: brizuelagare@mail.montclair.edu

Site: http://montclair.blackboard.com

 

Objectives of the course.

The Mau Mau movement that erupted in colonial Kenya during the 1940s and 1950s was a watershed event in the history of Africa and British colonialism. Over the years, historians have analyzed this movement from many different perspectives, and they continue to uncover the many different layers of complexity that characterized it. In this course students will analyze some of the interpretations that have been presented about the movement. The objective of this exercise will be to evaluate the ability of students to produce a knowledgeable historiographical analysis of the literature available.

 

Mechanics of the course.

Students are required to complete the readings for each week (see below). This will prepare them for the discussions that will take place during class. Even though each session has one assigned reading, students should be ready to discuss articles that were examined in previous classes, and compare them to the piece assigned for the day. Class discussions and attendance are an important part of the final grade, and they will greatly enhance the students' ability to produce a good final paper.

 

Readings.

 

-       Kenyatta, J. Facing Mount Kenya. Vintage Books. 1965.

-       Lonsdale, J. and E.S. Atieno Odhiambo (eds.) Mau Mau and Nationhood: Arms, Authority, and Narration. Ohio University Press, 2003.

-       Maloba, Wunyabari O. Mau Mau and Kenya. An Analysis of a Peasant Revolt. Indiana University Press, 1998.

 

Evaluation.

 

 

a)     Participation.- Students are required to actively participate in class discussions.

b)     Mid-Term Exam.- This will be a take-home exam that will consist of five essay questions. The questions will be taken from the readings done up to that point in the semester (Chapter 5 of Lonsdale book).

c)     Final Paper.- The final paper will be a historiographical analysis of the required text Maloba, Wunyabari O. Mau Mau and Kenya. An Analysis of a Peasant Revolt. Indiana University Press, 1998. Students will be provided with a bibliography that will support their analysis of this text. See Guidelines.

 

The following table indicates the grading scale.

 

 

 

Note on attendance: Students are required to attend regularly. Students who miss more than 4 classes will automatically fail the course. Missing a deadline requires adequate justification, which should be supported by a note from the Dean of Students.

 

Class rules.

1.- Please arrive to each class promptly. If you are late, please enter the room quietly. Do not leave the room during class unless you plan to stay out for the period.

2.- Turn off your mobile phones.

3.- Do not ask to discuss your grade or other matters at the beginning of class unless you feel your concerns are relevant to the entire class. In that case, please tell me if you feel a public discussion is needed. Otherwise, use the office hours or make an appointment to see me privately.

4.- You can use e-mail to schedule appointments or to ask simple questions. Do not use e-mail to discuss grades or to ask for assistance with your coursework. If you need help with your readings, make an appointment to meet with me. Please be aware that I do not read my e-mail over the weekends.

5.- If you miss class you do not need to justify your absence, unless this will affect the attendance requirement. The only absences that will be justified have to be supported by a note from the Dean of Students. This rule includes absences on exam days.

6.- Do not eat or drink during class.

7.- Do not whisper, rattle papers, or otherwise distract your fellow students during class, especially during videos or films.

 

 

 

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

 

1	January 19	Introduction.
2	January 26	Film
3	February 2	Kenyatta, Jomo. Facing Mount Kenya.
4	February 9	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Introduction and Chapter 1.
5	February 16	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 2 and 3.
6	February 23	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 4.
7	March 2	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 5.
8	March 9	Mid-Term Paper Due. Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 6.
9	March 23	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 7.
10	March 30	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 8.
11	April 6	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 9.
12	April 13	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 10.
13	April 20	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 11.
14	April 27	Mau Mau and Nationhood. Chapter 12.
15	May 4	Final Paper

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