Course Synopsis:

British Imperialism in Asia and Africa is specifically interested in the impact of British imperialism on the non-Western societies of Asia and Africa and the latter’s responses. The course combines a narrative, analytical, and historiographical approach to the material. The course challenges students to think critically about what imperialism meant for both the British and their subject peoples. British Imperialism in Asia and Africa examines four main contextual themes: an examination of the ideologies of British colonization that include moral, political, and economic ideas; examinations of the British impact on societies in Asia and Africa;  the impact of imperialism on such things as race, gender and sex, and technology; and finally, the challenges to British imperialism by the twentieth century the form of war, nationalism, and decolonization.  

Methods of Evaluation and Weights:

Course marks are based on the evaluation of written course work (paper) and examinations (a term test, and a final examination):

Midterm Examination (In Class Test)    25%
Assignment (Paper)    35%
Final Examination    40%

Texts and/or Resources Required Include All or Parts of:

Tentative Course Texts (Check with University Bookstore closer to course commencement)

The Oxford History of the British Empire, edited by Nicholas Canny, P. J. Marshall, Andrew Porter, Judith Brown, Wm. Roger Lewis, Robin Winks. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 5 Vols. Vols. 1, 3, 4, 5 are available as an on-line resource from University of Guelph Library

JSTOR: the scholarly journal archive and other on-line available articles may be accessed via U of G. Library (On-line resources)

On-line downloads and access

*Please note:  This is a preliminary web course description only.  The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description.  The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.