20809290Intro African Studies
Course Information
Description
This course offers a wide range of topics in contemporary African studies and global Black thought. As an inter-disciplinary course, it develops critical thinking in literature, art, social and cultural issues, politics, ecology, African feminisms and queer theory, digital spaces, the diaspora, and Afro-futurism. Students engage with a variety of media through close reading, class discussion, and oral presentations.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Engage in active reading strategies
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, oral presentation, and/or reflective journal
    Criteria
    Recognize subject matter of text and perspective of author
    Formulate questions and opinions while reading
    Differentiate between primary and secondary source materials
    Assess comprehension and text analysis
    Synthesize text interpretation, questions, and responses

  2. Respond to peer communication and feedback
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, verbal communication, and/or reflective journal
    Criteria
    Engage the ideas of others constructively in oral or written conversation/dialogue/discussion
    Interpret peer work
    Respond to peers in language that is inclusive and respectful

  3. Use elements of research
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Cite sources and points of evidence appropriate in number and type for written papers
    Generate research questions from primary and secondary sources
    Written essays meet specifications as described in handout, website, and/or checklist
    Argumentative papers meet specifications as described in handout, website, and/or checklist

  4. Analyze literary and cultural materials, trends, and themes
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or oral presentation
    Criteria
    Delineate specific time periods or concepts into [economic, social, political, and cultural elements]
    Draw conclusions
    Make inferences
    Connect information to ideas
    Employ techniques of visual and auditory analysis

  5. Produce original college-level writing
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Writing shows evidence of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    Employ primary and secondary sources
    Organize thoughts logically and coherently
    Citations are documented correctly using MLA guidelines

  6. Deliver an oral presentation
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral Presentation
    Criteria
    Presentation is at least 15 minutes
    Presentation includes a set of original questions to engage audience
    Present information in a style and tone consistent with the audience’s level of interest and level of knowledge/understanding
    Your voice inflection, volume, and rate are appropriate for the content and audience
    Your nonverbal communication is consistent with your verbal message
    You use non-harmful/non-alienating, respectful language
    Presentation purpose and topic are clear
    Introduction includes a topic statement
    Introduction includes an overview of the main points
    Main points are clear and concise
    Each main point references class readings and secondary resources
    Each main point includes examples from primary texts identified by the instructor
    Conclusion includes a summary of the main points
    Presentation technology (if used) is visible and audible to all members of the audience

  7. Link modern Africa to the diaspora
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, peer/class discussion, reflective journal, and/or oral presentation
    Criteria
    Connect the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the African diaspora
    Describe the diasporic movement beyond the Trans-Atlantic slave trade
    Connect movement from the African continent during the pre-slavery period
    Relate the civil rights movement in the US to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa
    Identify the contemporary connections between movements (#MeToo, #FeesMustFall)

  8. Trace major political, ecological, and cosmological trends in select regions of Africa
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, peer/class discussion, reflective journal, and/or oral presentation
    Criteria
    Map major trends across regions and periods across the African continent
    Describe the various ecological resistance movements
    Identify different forms of colonialism, anticolonial movements, and post-colonial nations
    Explain the historical trajectory
    Examine African spiritual world views

  9. Critically analyze the culture, language, and philosophy in select regions of Africa
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, peer/class discussion, reflective journal, and/or oral presentation
    Criteria
    Describe various cultures, languages, and philosophies across the African continent
    Explain cultural histories
    Identify the different branches of African languages
    Describe African indigenous philosophies
    Respond to peer communication and feedback using prompts provided or your own questions
    Reflective journal includes citations

  10. Write a comparative analysis of two or more genres within contemporary literature, film, and art
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, peer/class discussion, reflective journal, and/or oral presentation
    Criteria
    Comparison is based on important features or attributes
    Comparison includes the similarities between the texts (contemporary literature, film, and art)
    Comparison includes the differences between the texts
    Comparison includes logical conclusions drawn from the comparison
    Comparison is presentable
    Comparison shows evidence of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    You deliver an oral presentation

  11. Compare and contrast feminisms and queer theory
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, peer/class discussion, reflective journal, and/or oral presentation
    Criteria
    Generate critical, thoughtful, and respectful questions
    Compare and contrast feminist discourses
    Comparison is based on important features or attributes
    Comparison includes the similarities between the texts (feminisms and queer theory)
    Comparison includes the differences between the texts
    Comparison includes logical conclusions drawn from the comparison
    Comparison is presentable
    Comparison shows evidence of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    You deliver an oral presentation

  12. Examine digital content about Africa
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, peer/class discussion, reflective journal, oral presentation
    Criteria
    Explore multiple online sites
    Identify different types of African media genres
    Online review includes primary text from the course
    Online review cites various online sources
    You deliver an oral presentation

  13. Implement practices of rest through the lens of resistance and repair
    Assessment Strategies
    Reflection, response to journal prompts, written or oral feedback
    Criteria
    Explain what rest means for the individual and collective
    Connect rest to resistance
    Link rest to repair and care practices
    Actively practice resting
    Reflection includes a description of how you engaged in embodied practice
    You deliver an oral presentation