Discussion: Articles on Africa

Hello:

For this first assignment, please find an interesting article about Africa and write a synopsis of the main argument, evidence used, and what perspective the writer is taking on the subject. How is Africa portrayed? In a positive or negative light? Can you make an assumption about what the article is attempting to prove/disprove? You can choose anything involving Africa, from either/or a modern and historic perspective. Also list the url for where you got your information, so that your colleagues can view the site as well. Your comments here will be the basis of our discussion on Friday. Cheers.

Welcome!

As a group, our aim is to study the cultural, political, and economic differences among the diverse regions around the African continent. We will cover multiple topics, including evolution, religion, the multiple rises and falls of different kingdoms, trade networks, gender, slavery and the slave trade. Fossils, archaeological ruins, oral histories, songs, epic poems, along with primary documents and current debates are the foundational sources that we will use to analyze and discuss African history from both the Western and African perspectives.  

Weekly readings must be completed before class. I will post questions on Monday to this class blog.  Respond to the questions by 10 pm  on Thursday. The answers are informal and do not necessarily have an answer, but they do encourage you to think about what you have read. You should write a few sentences to a paragraph for each one. Whenever possible, include page numbers in your responses.