English
3140, Fall 2010 African
Literature:
Challenges and Solutions Today there are 1 billion people living in Africa, speaking perhaps 2000 languages. The continent comprises 20% of the land of the planet, is enormously rich in resources, yet much of Africa is desperately poor with vast populations attempting to live on less than $2 per day. |
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This course seeks to use African literature, memoir, film, biography, autobiography, history, library and on-line sources to begin to understand the enormous complexity of Africa and the challenges facing the continent. A cornerstone of this course is the idea that knowledge creates responsibility. Students will be expected to address what they are learning by research, collaboration, and action.
We begin our study of the current crisis in Africa by looking at the colonial and early national period. Turning to literature from the present we will encounter issues such as economic and political corruption and collapse, resource exploitation, poverty, education, the condition of women, the environment, warfare and child soldiers, AIDS, immigration, etc.
As we learn about challenges in Africa we will also explore solutions. Africa is young; in some countries half of the population is under 25. Most of our reading will be about young people, many college age, their life experience and how they are making a positive difference. After extensive reading and study as a class, students will form groups focused on specific issues to engage in additional reading, research, action, and work with African and international organizations dedicated to a brighter future for the continent.
We will engage in reading and discussion, in a threaded on-line computer conference at Nicenet. The course name is "2010 African Literature" and our class key is E30Z348292. Our threaded discusion connects reading and research and creates a collaborative, interactive community of learning.
Investigations of African life, history, religion, news, politics, etc. will help students learn more not only about the crisis in Africa but its rich and diverse cultures.
The Solutions Project will allow significant student creativity and choice and the development of wiki. This section of the course is experimental and the syllabus provisional.
This course fulfills a General Education requirement for Distribution Area IV: Other Cultures and Civilizations. This course will follow WMU procedures regarding academic honesty. Controversy and difference of opinion are welcomed. Since the class is discussion-based, attendance and preparation are essential. Missing classes will affect your final grade and missing more than four classes may lead to failing the course.
Dr. Webb's office is 723 Sprau Tower, 387-2605, and his office hours are Wednesdays 1-2, by appointment and email at allen.webb@wmich.edu. (Feeling stress? English 3140 offers free on-line therapy from Eliza.)
Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart
Sembene Ouseman, Xala
Wangari Maathai, Unbowed
Kris Holloway, Monique and the Mango Rains
Laila Lalami, Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits
Ishmael Beah, A Long Way Gone
reading and research related to the Solutions Project
$5 Fee Card
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Electronic Syllabus
Sep 8 Wednesday Introductions
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Sep 13 MondayThings Fall Apart Part I
Read Things Fall Apart Part I paying close attention to the character you have been assigned. On-line resources to support reading Things Fall Apart: List of Charactors, Igbo Art, Study Guide, Reading and Study Questions, Achebe in the Postcolonial Web, Postcolonial Dialogues.
DUE: Join Computer Conference 1) respond to items "introductions" and "Things Fall Apart" Exceed expectations!
| Sep 15 Wednesday Finish Things Fall Apart
Sep 20 Monday Village of Umuofia Role Play
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Sep 22 Wednesday How Europe Underdeveloped Africa
Read: from How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney
Study Questions for How Europe Underdeveloped Africa
Write a post on our computer conference on the reading.
Africa Map Test and Answers; Study for the map test at liketolearn
Bring ideas to class for the first paper
Sep 27 Monday
Read selections from King Leopold's Ghost Chapters 8-10, 15, 300-304 (reading will be handed out in class)
Optional: American documentary, on-line German documentary (English subtitles):
Write a post on our computer conference on the reading.
Sep 29 Wednesday Things Fall Apart Essay DUE
| On-line African Art Museum |
Oct 4 Monday Wangari Maathai and Green Belt Movement
Read: Unbowed Chap 1-5
Write a post on our computer conference on the reading.
| October 6 Wednesday
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Oct 11 Monday
Oct 13 Wednesday New Class of African Leaders
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Oct 18 Monday Monique and the Mango Rains
Write a post on our computer conference on the reading.
Public Radio Interview with Kris Holloway (click "Listen")
| Oct 20 Wednesday Monique and the Mango Rains |
Oct 25 Monday
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The Immigration Trail By Safaa Nhairy
| Oct 27 Wednesday
Oct 29 Friday MCTE Conference Nov 1 Monday War in Africa and Child Soldiers
Nov 3 Wednesday
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Nov 8 Monday Midterm Exam
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Nov 15 Monday Nov 17 Wednesday Nov 22 Monday Nov 24-28 Thanksgiving Break Nov 29 Monday Dec 2 Tuesday Dec 6 Monday Dec 8 Wednesday |
Assignments and activities to be determined
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Dec 13-17 Finals Week
Dec 15 Wednesday 2:45-4:45 Presentation of Solutions Projects
created by: allen.webb@wmich.edu
updated: 9/10