PEOPLE AND CULTURES OF AFRICA: FALL 2002

Course Description and Objectives:

                This course surveys a selected sample of the rich and diverse cultures that are Africa's heritage.  The cultures studied in this course are by no means exhaustive, rather they are indicative of the broad range of human cultures that Africa offers humanity.   Enhanced appreciation of these cultures demonstrates Africa's tremendous potential for development.   The course begins with a brief historical review of Africa from its role as the cradle of humanity and the early development of civilization with impressive state systems, to its current uneven development which varies a great deal from country to country and culture to culture.  The course will examine cultural features that assist and imped the efforts of new nations as they struggle to modernize.  This is a WebCT assisted course and you can find your current grades online, as well as other features, such as a targeted syllabus by visiting my WebPage at,   http://www.siue.edu/~dbrowne/.

Course Requirements:

 1.  Class Participation.  This is worth 10% of your grade.  Vigorous participation in class discussions. Students are expected to read the assigned material for the day BEFORE each class and be prepared to answer questions if called upon.    

 2.  Map of Africa. Worth 10%. Details to be distributed in class August 19, 2002 and assignment returned by Friday September  6, 2002 in class.

 3.  African Culture. Worth 20%. Using the eHRAF online data base, research one of the following African cultures   and write a five to seven page paper on some selected aspect of that culture, ex., religion, kingship, family and kinship, political culture, military tactics and strategy, art, agriculture, rites of passage, initiation, death and funerals, land tenure and ownership, witchcraft and magic, traditional medicine and healing, hunting, etc.  To go to this data base first go to: http:www.library.siue.edu/lib/refsoc.html then click on eHRAF Collection of Ethnography or fo to the Yale ethnography site at: http://ets.umdl.umich.edu/e/ehrafe. A sample of the interesting African cultures that can be found at this site include, but is not limited to the following:  Amhara of Ethiopia, the Ashnati of Ghana, the Wolof or Jolof of  Senegal, the Tiv of Nigeria, the Loz or Barotsi of Zambia, the Mbuti Pygmies of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ganda of Uganda, the Somali of Somalia, the Zande of the Sudan, the Kamba of Kenya, the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania, the Bedouin of Libya, the Bemba of Zambia, the Hausa of Northern Nigeria, the Fulani of Nigeria, etc.These are merely suggestions, feel free to research and write on any African culture which can be found in the eHRAF database. This assignment id worth 20% of your grade. This assignment is due on the following dates; select culture to write on September 18, 2002,  write first draft of report on your culture October 14, 2002, Final Draft due in class November 11, 2002. To learn to use eHRAF go to: http://www.yale.edu/hraf. Workbooks can be found by clicking on "Using the collections" then "eHRAF User Guides".  

                If  you have forgotten how to write a research paper you can find help by going to the following  internet locations:

                St. Martin guide to writing a research paper.

                http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/history/research/student/intro.htm

                How to write a research paper and survive.

                http://ww3.munet.edu/library/researchpaper.htm

                Sonoma State tips on writing a research paper.

                http://libweb.sonoma.edu/research/process/tips.html

                Mount St. Vincent University Library.

                http://www.msvu.ca/library/paper2.htm

                Purdue Online Writing Center.

                http://ow1.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/

                10 Tips for research and writing a research paper.

                http://www.tui.edu/Research/Resources/ResearchHelp/HowToWritePaper/TableOfContents.html

                How to write a scientific paper.

                http://www.nmas.org/Jahowto.html

 4. Journals.  Please purchase a clean folder, put your name and the course name on the cover.  Each week you are to select one paragraph from the assigned reading which makes the best point concerning the subject being studied. Copy this paragraph  VERBATIM, then cite the authors   last name, first name, a period, a space, and the book title (underlined), a period, date of publication, and the page on which your quotation appeared.  Next, in your own words, write one paragraph that discusses the five to seven most important points covered by this chapter.Follow this demonstration of knowledge of the reading with either a discussion of how it relates to material that you are learning in other classes or events from your life.  Journals will be COLLECTED EVERY THIRD FRIDAY and returned the next MONDAY. TYPED journals are HIGHLY REGARDED. Due dates for turning in journals ar August 30,September 20, Otoober 4, October 18, November 1, and November 15, 2002.  Journals count for 20% of the course grade.

5. Extra Credit.  You may read and write a one to three page report on one of the following books for extra credit.  

                              Audrey Richards.  Chisungu: A Girl's Initiation In Zambia

                              Margaret Shostak  Nisa:  The Story of A !Kung! Bushman Woman.

                              Elenor Bowen.  Return To Laughter: An Anthropological Novel.           

                You can purchase any of these from the SIUE Bookstore at the University Center  These book reports will count ONLY as tipping mechanisms if  your grade is very close to the next higher letter grade, unless otherwise specified.

 6.   Examinations.

                Mid-term exam, worth  20% of class grade.  October 28, 2002

                Final exam, worth 20% of class grade.  December 12, 2002

 7.  Active class participation and attendance are worth 10% of your course grade.

 6.  Grading:

                a. Class participation................................................................... 10%

                b. Map due September 6.............................................................. 10%

                c. Journals due August 30...……................................................... 20%

                                                September 20

                                                October 4

                                                October 18

                                                November 1

                                                November 15

                d. eHRAF paper............................................................................20%

                e. Mid-term exam October 28........................................................20% 

                f. Final exam December 12............................................................20%

                TOTAL                                                                                       100%

7. Textbooks:  Dr. F. Jeffress Ramsay.  Africa: Global Studies.  Seventh Edition.

                           Ali Mazrui.  The Africans: A Reader.

                           James Gibbs. Peoples of Africa: Cultures of Africa South of the Sahara.

                          For a quick overview of the educational cultures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Libya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda, see D. Browne’s chapter online for this course. Also for a rapid understanding of the conflict in Sierra Leone and the fighting in Mozambique see D. Browne’s online articles for this class.

COURSE OUTLINE

"SEMPER NOVI AFRICA" - Always Something New From Africa

***Any student who needs his/her grade before the Registrar mails them must provided the professor with a stamped, self-addressed postcard that contains a written request for notification of the final course grade.   Postcards are available at the SIUE Bookstore.                           

NOTE: Consult the Registrar for the exact time, place and date of the final exam.  It is scheduled for Friday December 12, 2002 from 10:00 A.M. – 11:40 A.M.  GOOD LUCK!