Medieval Africa and Africans

Course Summary

Given the wide popularity of Eurocentric medieval fantasies, it has never been more important that we teach our students about the reality of the Middle Ages rather than the fictionalized fantasies with which they are accustomed. In order to examine Medieval Studies and expand the “Global Middle Ages” beyond the traditional boundaries of Western Europe, this course will concentrate on premodern Africa. While often overlooked, the civilizations that spanned the vast African continent produced great achievements, in conditions of relative parity with their European contemporaries, before the oceanic dominance of a few Western powers. This course will contextualize Medieval Africa in terms of its contemporary relationships with the medieval globe as well as its modern impact.

This course has been designed with the generous support of the Medieval Academy of America.

Course Dates: January 11 - February 26, 2021  

Professional Development Hours: 35

 Course Registration Fee: $125

Humanities In Class Online Course Refund,  Transfer & Cancellation Policy

• Refund Policy: Humanities In Class Online Course registrants occasionally are presented with circumstances that prevent them from participating in registered courses. In order to qualify for a refund of fees, registrants must submit their written request according to the following guidelines:

  • If the cancellation request is received more than fourteen (14) days before the course start date, the registrar will refund the course registration, less a $25 cancellation fee.

  • If the cancellation request is received between seven (7) and fourteen (14) days of the course start date, the registrar will refund fifty percent (50%) of course registration, less a $25 cancellation fee.

  • If the cancellation request is received less than seven (7) days before the course start date, no refund will be given.

• Transfer Policy: Humanities In Class Online Courses are offered during Spring, Summer and Fall sessions. In the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent a registrant from enrolling in a current course offering, they will have the option of transferring the amounts paid to a future, calendared course. 

• Cancellation Policy: In the event that an online course is canceled by the National Humanities Center, registrants will be given the option of transferring their registration to another course or receiving a full refund of their registration fee.