The Environmental History of Africa
Writing Assignments
Paper Topics:
The following paper topics for students draw on key themes of the reading and lecture outlines. The format is for a 3-4 page opinion paper that require students to relate topic of the reading assignments to themes developed in the course. Students need not do additional research or use formal footnotes to cite references, but should provide specific page citations when quoting or paraphrasing reading material.
Paper #1
Write a 3-4 page paper on the following topic:
Helge Kjekshus in his book on Tanzanian environmental history argues that 19th century Tanzanians had established "ecology control" and lived in balance with factors of disease, population growth, and food supply. His thesis states that it was only the arrival of a major epidemic of rinderpest and European colonial rule that disrupted this status. From the evidence presented in his book, the film Maragoli, lecture, and other readings, comment on the validity of his thesis and especially his evidence about the role of population. Which of the hypotheses on the historical role of population (Malthus, Boserup, natalist, anti-natalist) does Kjekshus seem to accept and what evidence does he use to sustain his argument?
Paper #2
Describe the characteristics of a degradation narrative in terms of two or more African natural resources. Be sure to indicate the elements that make such narratives inherently historical arguments. Are such narratives necessarily true or false and what kind of evidence can help prove or disprove them. Are there dangers in disbelieving such narratives?
Paper #3
Our course began with a statement that all African landscapes are anthropogenic. In what ways have Africa's landscapes been transformed over the course of the twentieth century? What has been the role of African farmers, hunters, and pastoralists in that transformation? Is "conservation" a valid concept for environmental policy in Africa?
