Examines the history of southern Africa from the earliest hunters, herders and farmers through to the present. One of the chief mediums of analysis is the novel. Short background readings and lectures cover southern Africa's history, and class discussions of novels are layered over these basics. Themes of study include: gender, migration, imperialism, religion, disease, resistance, race, ethnicity, and empire, among others. Prereq., HIST 1208. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.