About the Course
Explore the African continent, from pre-history through 1500 CE. In this course, we will discover how geography and climate shaped emerging societies, their cultures, and migrations. We will identify the commonalities and differences among Africa's ancient civilizations, trading empires, and medieval cities. We will explore the legacies of cultural, scientific, and artistic achievement and analyze key moments in early African history to discern their past and present significance for African cultures, traditions, and belief systems. Students will draw on a wide array of historical thinking skills including writing, critical reading, argumentation, evidence usage, and historical reasoning to compare and contrast the past and present.
The content in Young Historians: Exploring Africa overlaps with the CTY course Young Historians at Continents: Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Students who have already taken Young Historians at Continents: Africa, Asia, and Oceania may wish to consult with an enrollment advisor before enrolling in this course.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the role of physical geography and climate in shaping the development of Africa's ancient civilizations Identify and compare key aspects of ancient African societies
- Analyze and evaluate the historical significance of African societies in the pre-history and pre-modern periods
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
Online
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Days: Every Tue for 6 weeks
Times: 7 - 8:30 p.m. (Eastern time)
Register by: September 15, 2026
Time Commitment:
Important Information
Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date.
Time Commitment: 2.5-3.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of class time, 1-2 hours of independent work). The course will include 6 sessions over 6 weeks.
All online course times are Eastern time.
Technical Requirements
This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid