This page was last updated on April 13, 2009 19:24 . Please check back regularly as the schedule will be updated frequently.

January 13 Why are you here? Discussion of the purpose of a college education.
Introduction to the course.
January 15 Images of Africa: Assignment #1 discussion. Please submit the written component of this assignment to me no later than noon today.
January 20

Discussion of upcoming assignments. Come to class prepared to talk about
a) What movie you plan to review
b) What novel you plan to review
January 22

Video: Africa: A History Denied.
January 27 Snow day. Class canceled.
January 29

Discussion of Africa: A History Denied. You don't need to turn in a written review, but please come to class ready to give your opinions on the the video.
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The exploration of Africa: 1795 - 1905. Assignment #2 discussion.

Discussion of readings:
Park, Mungo. (Fifth ed.) 1807. Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa; Performed under the Direction and Patronage of the African Association in the years 1795, 1796, and 1797.London: W. Bulmer and Company.
Read Chapter 2, "Description of the Feloops, the Jaloffs, the Foulahs, and Mandingoes." (pp. 21 - 41.) (You may also find it helpful to take a quick look at Chapter 1 to provide some context.)

AND

Carpenter, Frank G. 1905. Carpenter's Geographical Reader. New York: American Book Company.
Read the Preface (pp. 5 - 6) and Chapters 40 and 41, pp. 264 -278.

The full text of both of these books is available on Google Books.
February 3

Research, Writing, the Paper, and the Honour Code.
Please read and be prepared to give your opinions on this story from the Washington Post.

We may also take a look at these videos and discuss them in class:

Matt Harding Dancing
Searchcowboys.com
David Pogue and Matt Harding at MacWorld '09
February 5

Africa in the movies: Presentations and discussions of Assignment #3
Assignment due by noon today.

Today's presenters and movies:

  • The African Queen (Mary Ellen)
  • Zulu (Mike)
  • Madagascar (Kelsey)
  • The Constant Gardener (Kyle)
  • Yesterday (Taylor)
February 10

Africa in the movies: Discussion of Assignment #3

  • The Guelwaar (Anna)
  • Black Hawk Down (Diana)
  • Tears of the Sun (Julia)
  • The Last King of Scotland (Emily)
  • Hotel Rwanda (Maria)
  • Sometimes in April (Paul)
February 12

Africa in the movies: Discussion of Assignment #3

  • Cry Freedom (Marie)
  • The Power of One (Lorelei)
  • The Color of Freedom (Katie)
  • A Far Off Place (Anne)
  • The Gods Must Be Crazy (Eniya)
February 17

(Impromptu) discussion: South Africa and apartheid

February 19

Discussion of movie review; discussion on referencing systems.
February 24

Works by non-African writers: All book reviews due today by noon.
Video: Valentina's Nightmare
February 26 Works by non-African writers: Review presentations I (Assignment #4)
March 3, 5 Spring Break
March 10

Works by non-African writers: Review presentations II (Assignment #4)

List of reviewers and works to be reviewed (pdf)

Peer Evaluation form (pdf)
March 12

A digression into Southeast Asia: discussion of Cambodia.
March 17

 
March 19

Absolutely final deadline for review of books by African authors is noon today.

Works by African writers (Assignment #5): Discussion of Assignment.

List of reviewers and works to be reviewed (pdf)
March 24 Meet in Monroe 201 to hear a talk by Professor Linda Melvern, author of "A People Betrayed: The Role of the West in Rwanda's Genocide."
March 26

Works by African writers (Assignment #5): Discussion of Assignment.

List of reviewers and works to be reviewed (pdf)
March 31 Works by African writers (Assignment #5): Discussion of Assignment.
April 2 Works by African writers (Assignment #5): Discussion of Assignment.t)
April 7 Class canceled
April 9 Class canceled
April 14 Africa in Music (Assignment #6): Discussion of Assignment
(Oral presentation only; no written assignment)
April 16 Africa in Music (Assignment #6): Discussion of Assignment
(Oral presentation only; no written assignment)
April 21

Africans Imagining Africa (Assignment #8) (Written and oral)
April 23

Africans Imagining Africa (Assignment #8) (Written and oral)

We won't have time to discuss Assignment #7, Africa in the News, in class, but you will need to submit a written version to me no later than Friday April 24 at noon.
Exam Week There is no final exam in this course