I have taught African studies on a continental basis and on a
regional basis. The regional seems far better and implicitly
demonstrates the size and complexity of Africa. The only continental
approach which might work is disciplinary or topical, but even my
good old African anthro/ethnography course is not as much fun as the
regional courses I do for our Non-West requirements in Gen. Ed., but
they also count for African Studies Major and minors in our 30 year
old program.
For west African readings you can try, Rodney's *History of the
Upper Guinea Coast*....if the course is taught at an upper level,
otherwise this book would be too difficult. I have just published a
book on Cape Verde, but it deals endlessly and in an integrated
fashion with West African history. Check it out; Westview Press.
Have a nice weekend.