Department of History

Welcome to the Department of History

This is one of the oldest departments of the University that boasts national and international reputation in historical scholarship. The Department of History is known for its unique historical research and writing in the world, especially for its emphasis on African agency and initiative as well as for its role in the making of the Dar es Salaam School of Thought from the 1960s. After restructuring of the University administration in November 2013, the Department of History became one of the six departments in the College of Humanities.

Here at Dar es Salaam we take pride for the teaching we offer to undergraduate students, for training to postgraduate students who become historians, diplomatic and strategic analysts in many public and private institutions, and also for the historical writing done by our renowned faculty members. Please join us and we will impart to you critical insights that will help you to understand the past, confront the present objectively and discern potential future course of events.

Programmes offered by the Department

Mission of the Department

Aligned with the university's broader mission, our department aims to empower students to reach their highestpotential by providing a comprehensive and diverse understanding of African and world history. We strive to fostercritical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep appreciation for historical discourses. Moreover, we instill in our students asense of civic responsibility, promoting their active engagement in local, national, and international communities. Webelieve that through historical inquiry and understanding, our students can become effective citizens and contribute toa culturally diverse world.

Goals of the Department

For Students

1. Acquire skills and awareness of socio-political and economic dynamics that shape human affairs, fostering adeeper understanding of change and continuity.
2. Cultivate a lifelong passion for ceaseless inquiry and self-directed learning, equipping students with theintellectual habits and skills necessary for personal and professional growth.
3. Prepare students for life beyond the university, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and leadership abilitiesneeded to excel in various domains.
4. Foster an appreciation for the diversity of cultures in Tanzania and the world, enabling students to relatesensitively to individuals from different cultural backgrounds.

1. Cultivate a community of scholars dedicated to teaching and learning as the highest priority.
2. Promote professional growth through research, creative expression, innovative teaching methods, andinterdisciplinary dialogue.
3. Actively contribute to the production of high-quality historical knowledge, ensuring the department's signifi cantpresence in international historical scholarship.
4. Participate in the department's governance, develop academic programs, and enrich the cultural environment.
5. Serve as models and mentors, supporting the independent growth and development of students.

About the Department of History

The Department of History was founded in 1964 with its first Chair being Professor Terrence O. Ranger. Since its establishment, the Department engaged in a combination of liberal and progressive scholarship deriving partly from the spirit of African nationalism and optimism of the immediate post-independence period. It boasts the footmarks and influence of renowned historians of Africa such as Terrence Ranger, Isaria Kimambo, John Iliffe, Walter Rodney, Ernest Wamba-dia-Wamba, Fredrick Kaijage and Jacques Depelchin, to mention just a few. A combination of scholarly initiatives and an enabling social context in the 1960s and 1970s resulted in the development of the much-acclaimed Dar es Salaam school of historiography.

The Department has undergone several changes to adapt to the changing local and global contexts and demands. Some of the changes includes: establishment of teaching of archaeology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels since 1985 to 2013; thematic expansion of courses we offer from traditional political and economic histories to social histories such as histories of health and diseases, environment, labour, population, urban, science and technology, cultural heritage, and finally, military and diplomatic histories.

Activities of the Department

The Department undertakes the following activities:

• Offers teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
• Runs Isaria Kimambo Historical Seminars on weekly basis during semesters
• Publishes a Zamani: A Journal of African Historical Research
• Offers historical insights to the public, government, media and international agencies
• Trains historians, actors and analysts in diplomatic and strategic fields, cultural tour guides, curators, archivists, intelligence officers, detectives, education officers, cultural officers, public administrators, researchers and academics
• Offers consultancy services to international agencies, government and other reputable entities
• Conducts researches through its diverse academic staff on vast topics
• Organises conferences on diverse themes

Facilities Available at the Department

The Department of History has office space for graduate students as well as the resource room which serves as the library for the students and staff. Most of the graduate students’ dissertations and theses are deposited in that resource room together with some rare books and semi-archival materials.

There is an inventory of graduate theses and dissertations to help local and foreign researchers wishing to conduct historical research in Tanzania. Finally, the Department of History has weekly Isaria Kimambo Historical Seminars (IKHS) which serves as an interactive platform for the local and international researchers to disseminate their ongoing and published research.

Vision and Mission

Since its establishment in 1964, the Department’s vision has been to produce critical mass of analytical and critical thinkers and professionals who uses historical perspectives and insights. Such people are extremely important in informing decision makers, policy makers, politicians, diplomats and other professionals.