This course introduces students to the history of West Africa since 1885. It starts with the 1885 Berlin Conference, when European powers arranged to partition Africa. Among other themes, the course explores the imposition of colonial rule, resistance to European colonialism, pan-Africanism in West Africa, transformations during the colonial period, decolonization, postcolonial nation-states, and women and gender in contemporary West Africa. A variety of primary and secondary sources, two novels, films and documentaries will enrich students understanding of the events and issues the course covers.