SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS THE CURRITUCULUM FACULTY WORKSHOP
REVISED SYLLABUS SUBMITTAL
NAME: Dainess Maganda
DEPARTMENT: Comparative Literature
TITLE/POSITION: Lecturer
PHONE: 706-542-9587
E-MAIL: magandad@uga.edu
COURSE NAME AND NUMBER:
SWAH 3010- SWAHILI STUDIES 1: 80-933
Is this a new course or a revision? A revision
List estimated Enrollment: 7-20
Extent of coverage of sustainability components: Major: Yes Minor ______
Course description:
The course covers different aspects about the Swahili language, its history, its association with the politics of
change in the region, its expansion, civilization, and culture. Students are exposed to a wealth of information
about the Swahili language including theories about its origin, ownership, its place in the world, scholar’s views
on the archeology of the Swahili Coast, what was before emergency of the Swahili States, the effects of
colonialism and its demise, issues of dependency and decolonization, and the prospects of its attaining a global
status among the world languages.
Learning objectives:
At the end of the course, students will:
 Understand the relationship between the history of civilization in Swahili Societies and the current
economic state within the Swahili Coast.
 Identify major theories of the history of Swahili civilization
 Analyze the Swahili people as having triple heritage
 Critique historical accounts explaining the rise and fall of Swahili civilization
 Use their knowledge to dispel myths regarding the discovery of the Swahili civilization
 Identify the interaction between language and global economic success
 Identify important sources of information and contacts regarding the Swahili Coast
 Value identity and diversity
Describe the aspects of the course related to sustainability:
Sustainability is embedded throughout this course through literature and videos used in the course. The
assignments also feature aspects of sustainability as students use this concept to help them discover the
relationship between the economic state of the Swahili people and the economic success of developing
countries. Students get to understand how history shapes the lives of people and determines their future status in
the world. The course enables students to think critically about social and economic status of people who live in
poor and impoverished parts of the world and how they continue to struggle in different aspects of their lives
partly because “sustainability” has not been a major factor in many foreign-aid agencies.
Describe the changes you have made to your syllabus following the workshop:
I added one reading on the course as well as a new video. A group project on “Sustainable Africa” was included
to foster critical analysis of foreign aid projects in East Africa using sustainability as the standard. A new
assignment on “Myths about Africa civilization” was also added for students to apply the knowledge gained
through this course and educate others about a people as a pathway to help them value diversity and identity. In
addition, students will work as a whole class to identify important sources of information on the Swahili people
or any specific topic covered during class. Lastly, students will each design an “elevator speech” to gain
funding on a project they envision to start in Africa or here in the USA: one they could use to apply for a study
abroad endowment grant or through the office of campus sustainability.
How will the learning objectives be assessed?
The learning objectives for this course will be assessed through:
1. Group project with specific rubrics to measure students’ understanding of topics covered
2. Creation of a “5minute video” on specific myths about Africa
3. Two quizzes on specific facts covered in class
4. Students leading discussions on selected topics