ANT 453 Advanced Studies in African Cultures

“Traditional “Tigrinya ( Eritrean ) Wedding

This course fulfills  4 credit hours of the University requirement for Non-Western culture

 

Professor:                            Dr. Barbara G. Hoffman

Office:                                    CB 145

Phone/Voicemail:               (216) 687-3549

Email:                                    b.hoffman@csuohio.edu

Office Hours:                       WebCT chat TTh 11:00-12:00; in office TTh 3:30- 4:30

 

 

Prerequisite: ANT 153 or ANT 353 or permission of the instructor

 

Course Materials:

  • Required Text  -  Taking Sides: Clashing Views on African Issues, 2nd edition, by William G. Moseley. (TS hereafter)
  • Readings on reserve in the library
  • Ethnographic films as assigned (available in Multimedia Services)

 

 

Course Content:

Students must have a foundation of broad introductory familiarity with African cultures through previous coursework. This course permits students to further develop that knowledge through course readings and discussions of a wide range of controversial topics combined with in-depth research projects on how African societies are weaving tradition with change to adapt their cultural practices in the face of global pressures, influences, and trends.

 

In this class, students are challenged to develop critical thinking skills by reading and analyzing pairs of articles on African issues written by experts in the field who do not agree with one another. Students are called upon to exercise their anthropological and historical knowledge of African cultures in order to evaluate and assess the arguments put forth by the experts. 

 

Classes will be conducted seminar style in a combination online and in-class format. We will use WebCT/Blackboard for posting of assignments and grades, for written discussions and exchanges of ideas. In the classroom, we will discuss these issues in both informal and formal formats: open discussion, group discussion, team debates.

 

Approximately one month into the course, each student will submit a research proposal for a project of original research on the topic of culture change in a specific African society or a comparison of changes in a specific cultural practice belonging to a range of societies. The research project will draw on primary sources in the form of anthropological field reports, news media reports, films, and television productions.

 

The resulting research will be presented to the class in the form of a written report, an article, a Power Point presentation, or other formats as approved in advance by the instructor. Students are encouraged to consider presenting their research in a scholarly venue such as a conference or online journal.

 

 

Methods of Evaluation:

Participation on discussions (online and/or classroom): 25%

Assignments: 25%

Research Proposal: 10%

Research Project Presentation: 40%

 

 

Course Schedule:


Jan 16 – 18  

Ø      Introduction to the course & to WebCT/Blackboard

 

Jan 23 - 25 (Readings: TS pp. 14-35)

Ø      Tues. Jan 23rd, class meets in CB 279 computer lab for WebCT overview

Ø      Issue 2: Did the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Underdevelop Africa? (WebCT/Blackboard work begins)

 

Jan 30 -Feb 1 : (Readings: TS pp. 36-53)

Ø      Issue 3: Have the Contributions of Africans Been Recognized for Developing New World Agriculture?

 

Feb 6 - Feb  8: (Readings: TS pp. 54-71)

Ø      Issue 4: Did Colonialism Distort Contemporary African Development?


Feb 13 - 15: (Readings: TS pp. 72-95)

Ø      Issue 5: Have Structural Adjustment Policies Worked for Africa?

 

Feb 20 - Feb 22: (Readings: TS pp. 96-119)

Ø      Issue 6: Are Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Effective at Facilitating Community Development?

 

Feb 27 - Mar 1: (Readings: TS pp. 134-154

Ø      Issue 8: Are Abundant Mineral and Energy Resources a Catalyst for African Development?

 

Mar 6 - Mar 8:  (Readings: TS pp. 172-195)

Ø      Issue 10: Is Food Production in Africa Capable of Keeping Up With Population Growth?


 

SPRING BREAK: MARCH 12-16



Mar 20-22: (Readings: TS pp. 196-217)

Ø      Issue 11: Are Integrated Conservation and Development Programs a Solution to Conflicts Between Parks and Local People?

 

Mar 27 -29: (Readings: TS pp. 218-238)

Ø      Issue 12: Is Sub-Saharan Africa Experiencing a Deforestation Crisis?

 

Last Day to Withdraw: March 30


Apr 3 – 5:  (Readings: TS pp. 240-261)

Ø      Issue 13: Should Female Genital Cutting Be Accepted as a Cultural Practice?

 

Apr 10 – 12 (Readings: TS pp. 262-275)

Ø      Issue 14: Are Women in a Position to Challenge Male Power Structures in Africa?

 

Apr 17 – 19 (Readings: TS pp. 276-285)

 

Ø      Issue 15: Should International Drug Companies Provide HIV/AIDS Drugs to Africa Free of Charge?

 

Apr 24 -26  (Readings: TS pp. 286-305)

 

Ø      Issue 16: Is Sexual Promiscuity a Major Reason for the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Africa?

 

 

May 1-3: Student Presentations