COURSES

Content

This course offers a thorough knowledge of historical interactions between language, culture and society in the emergence and evolution of communal identities in Central and East Africa with ramifications to other regions, such as Southern Africa. Moreover, it encourages critical reflection on how present-day group identities are anchored or not in the past and on how diverse knowledge systems, both inside and outside Africa, have contributed to the formation of ethnicity in Africa.

Learning outcomes

• Have knowledge of how interactions between language, culture and society have contributed to the emergence and evolution of community identities throughout the ancient history of Central and Eastern Africa with ramifications to other regions of Africa such as Southern and Western Africa.
• Be able to critically reflect upon how present-day group identities are anchored or not in the past and on how diverse knowledge systems have contributed to the formation of ethnicity in Africa.
• Understand how interdisciplinary research is needed and applied to reconstruct the ancient history of Africa.

Teaching methods

Group work, Seminar, Independent work, Peer teaching

Assessment method(s)

To be announced

Lecturers

Bostoen, Koen: lecturer-in-charge

Brinkman, Inge: co-lecturer

Gunnink, Hilde: co-lecturer

Mathys, Gillian: co-lecturer

Rahier, Nick: co-lecturer

Course dates

This course takes place in the first semester of academic year 2026-2027:

• Educational activities: September 21 to December 12, 2026
• Catch-up activities: December 14 to December 19, 2026
• Christmas break: December 21, 2026 to January 2, 2027
• Examination period: January 4 to January 30, 2027
• Resit Examination period: August 16 to September 18, 2027

There will be twelve hybrid lectures between September 21 and December 12, 2026. This weekly class will take place on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm (CEST/CET). (Online) attendance is mandatory, even if lectures will be recorded for people with valid absences (for example due to medical reasons).

Entry requirements: Bachelor in African Languages and Cultures or equivalent. If you have not followed the Bachelor in African Languages and Cultures at Ghent University, please familiarize yourself with the literature on the masters program's recommended reading list and the terms on the masters program's list of important concepts. These bachelor-level basics are supposed to be known before the course starts and will only be reexplained upon explicit request.

How to apply

1. Check whether you meet the entry requirements listed above. You cannot apply if you don’t meet the entry requirements.
2. Check with your home faculty or study programme to confirm whether this course can be included in your curriculum, so the ECTS credits will be recognized. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to your home university’s ENLIGHT office (contact details below).
3. Apply by completing the Ghent University form (link to follow) by August 17th.
4. Register at Ghent university. Registration instructions will follow after application.

Information per university

• University of the Basque Country: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• University of Bern: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at the University of Bern 
• University of Bordeaux: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    
• Comenius University Bratislava: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Galway: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Groningen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIPs and application form 
• University of Göttingen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (for BIP’s) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (other courses) 
• University of Tartu: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIP’s and virtual courses 
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at Uppsala University

For information regarding the procedure to take part in this course: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For information regarding the course content: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.