Professor: Akin Ogundiran
Office: Garinger 113A
Tel.: 704-687-2355
AFRS 2153/ANTH 2153: AFRICAN CIVILIZATIONS
HIST 2210: PRE-COLONIAL AFRICA
Spring 2013
M. 5:00-7:40pm
HYBRID CLASS (IN-CLASS & ONLINE)
Email: ogundiran@uncc.edu
Office Hours: Mon 2:00-3:00; Tue 11:00-1:00; Wed 2:00-3:00
Classroom: Denny 111
Course Description
A survey of major cultural innovations in ancient Africa, with emphasis on the origins of ideas, beliefs, institutions, and practices; and the philosophical, religious, social, political and economic foundations of ancient
African civilizations. The class will focus on historical and anthropological modes of inquiry about past human conditions, and the relevance to the contemporary world. Throughout, the instructor will emphasize the use of the concept of “intercommunication zone” for the study and understanding of Africa’s cultural history, and its global dimensions. This class is interdisciplinary. The readings will draw from a wide range of sources, especially archaeology, art history, historical texts, literary, oral traditions, and material culture.
African Civilizations is a core course for majors and minors in Africana Studies, and it fulfils many universitywide requirements.
Goals: At the end of the class, students are expected to (1) begin to develop an analytical understanding of
Africa's historical legacies as a tool to identify and correct stereotypical and simplistic narratives about Africa’s history; (2) be able to answer the why and how questions on the place of Africa in the history of world civilizations; (3) master the concept of “intercommunication” for interpreting and explaining African history before 1885; (4) develop a critical understanding of the African history texts as a way of addressing questions on the broad human conditions, especially as these relate to ancient cultures/societies and their relevance to a better understanding of the contemporary world.
Required Texts (available for purchase at Barnes & Noble at UNC Charlotte Bookstore):
D. T. Niane, Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali . Longman, 1965.
Other Readings available in Moodle
Articles, Essays (see weekly readings for electronic copies)
INSTRUCTION
This is a hybrid class. It requires students to be responsible for their learning experience through discovery and utilization of information geared towards developing in-depth historical perspectives about the long-term cultural history of Africa. Of course, we will a=do this with the guidance of the instructor. Grades will be based on activities online and in-class. Unless specified otherwise, all submission of assignments and writings must be done online. Students are required to complete all required readings before class. For in-class meetings, students must be punctual. For, online meetings, the instructor will be available to answer questions. Attendance will be taken at every in-class meeting, and it is the responsibility of each student to sign the attendance sheet. It is absolutely unacceptable to sign for a friend, enemy, colleague, family member, or another classmate. Tardy students will not be allowed to enter the classroom after 5:10PM. Students are required to be in class till
7:45PM. Tardiness and early departure will accrue zero points for attendance and quiz, and the repeat of such behavior may lead to a failing grade in the course.
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Take note of the deadline dates and adjust your schedule in order to avoid falling behind. There will be no extension for the submission of assignments without a prior notice and approval of the instructor. No make-up quizzes will be administered. A late paper will not be accepted.
The success of this course ultimately depends on both the students' and the instructor's efforts. Your understanding of the materials and your participation in class discussions are very important. You will receive constructive criticism of your work from the instructor. Take these criticisms as a way of improving your understanding of the course content, writing, and/or diligence. Always ask questions when you do not understand the readings and lectures. Make efforts to see the instructor during office hours.
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Plagiarism is the act of taking someone else's ideas or/and writings
(including internet materials), and passing them off as your own. The penalty may include a failing grade for the affected paper or the whole course, or/and being subjected to other University disciplinary actions. If you are in doubt regarding what plagiarism is all about, consult the instructor immediately. The only mojo for plagiarism is to correctly cite the sources of all the materials that you use in your paper, including quotations and paraphrases.
You should note that most cases of plagiarism occur because students are in a hurry to meet the deadline after neglecting the assignment until the last "minute". To avoid being haunted by the ghost of plagiarism, plan ahead, give yourself an ample time to complete your assignments, and consult with the instructor if you have questions.
Students are advised to read and be familiar with the UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic Integrity and
Code of Student Responsibility at http://legal.uncc.edu/policies/ps-104.html
respectively. http://legal.uncc.edu/policies/ps-105.html
and
REQUIREMENTS: ACTIVITIES, ASSIGNMENTS, AND POINTS
1. Discussion Essays and Quizzes: 40 points
2. Take-Home Exam on Epic of Sundiata (Sundiata) – 5 pages: 20 points
3. Six Short Reaction Papers on Scheduled Colloquia Presentations – 500 words (8 pts) each: 40 points total
SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY TOPICS
Week 1
NO CLASS
JAN. 9-11
ONLINE
ACTIVITY
Students will use this week to review the course syllabus: objectives and requirement
1: Talking About ‘Tribe’: Moving from Stereotype to Analysis http://www.africaaction.org/talking-about-tribe.html
2: How Big is Africa? http://www.bu.edu/africa/files/2010/10/AfricaPoster-Web-copy1.jpg
Watch this video:
VIDEO: Africa- Episode 1 (Different But Equal): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvjxzZop0VE&feature=autoplay&list=P
LC84B336EF40C9A38&lf=results_video&playnext=2
Week 2
JANUARY 14
Week 3
JANUARY 21
IN-CLASS Geography and Cultural Ecology of Africa
READING:
Kkapoya, Africa – The Continent and its People
ONLINE Traditions of Origins in Africa: Ancient Egypt, Yoruba, and Hebrew
Yoruba Creation Myths http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuC58EuSD-U
Ancient Egyptian Myth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcxgzMwcqN8&feature=related
Biblical Creation Myths http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEgp2_Rcc80&feature=related ,
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WEEK 4
JANUARY 28
WEEK 5
FEB. 4
WEEK 6
FEB. 11
†Week 7
FEB. 18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEpQRv7f_xc&feature=related)
ONLINE ACTIVITY: Short Discussion Essay DUE JANUARY 23
Identity and discuss the common characteristics in the Creation Myths of the Yoruba, Ancient Egyptians, and the Hebrew. What do these myths tell us about the social organization and the idea of leadership in the respective societies?
500-700 words
IN-CLASS Archaeological, Linguistic, Genetics & Bioanthropological Evidence of
Human Origins
READINGS:
1. C. George Boeree on Human Evolution and Race
2. Paul Mellars, Why did modern human populations disperse from Africa ca. 60,000 years ago? A new model
IN-CLASS QUIZ based on the readings and lecture
ONLINE Origins of Food Production, African Cuisines, and Food History
ONLINE ACTIVITY: Short Discussion Essay DUE FEBRUARY 6
On the basis of online research, answer ALL of the following questions:
1. Develop a chart identifying when and where these primary plants and animals were domesticated and cultivated in ancient Africa: sorghum, rice, teff, yam, palm oil, ensete, black eye beans, millet ,
2. Discuss one cuisine that is based on one or more of these plants, and describe how it is prepared.
3. Discuss the social and cultural importance of one of the foods (e.g., yam festival among the Igbo of Nigeria or coffee rituals among Ethiopians. Why is it important?
Provide as much detailed information as needed.
ONLINE Intercommunicating Zone I: Ancient Egypt and the Idea of Great
Society
READINGS: Falola, Chapter 4
VIDEO ON RESERVE IN ATKINS: Ancient Egypt (DT61A53 1999).
ONLINE ACTIVITY: DUE FEB. 13
1. What are the qualities of a Great Society?
2. With reference to their kingship institution, architectural monumentality, or the concept of social justice ( maat ), discuss how the ancient Egyptians articulated and practiced the idea of “great society”.
3. How are they similar and different from your own society today?
500-700 words
IN-CLASS African Civilization Colloquium I: On the Origins of Iron Technology in
Ancient Africa: Evidence from Eastern Nigeria, ca. 1500 B.C.
Speaker: Dr. Pamela Eze-Uzomaka, Professor and Chair of Archaeology,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka & Visiting Professor, Kennesaw State
University.
ONLINE ACTIVITY: DUE FEB. 20
Write a reaction paper based on Dr. Eze-Uzomaka’s lecture (500 words)
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WEEK 8
FEB. 25
WEEK 9
MARCH 4
Week 10
MARCH 11
WEEK 11
MARCH 18
WEEK 12
MARCH 25
WEEK 13
APRIL 1
WEEK 14
ONLINE Religion, Ethnography, and Culture:
Primary Text Analysis I: Ibn Battuta’s Memoir in Mali
READING:
Ibn Battuta
ONLINE ACTIVITY: DUE FEB. 25-27
1. Discuss the hybridity and cosmopolitanism of religion in Mali Empire
2. What is the position of women in Mali?
3. Identity the likely biases and ethnocentrism of an outsider in Ibn Batutta’s comments on Malian culture
4. Why do you think he held these biases?
700-1000 words
NO CLASS STUDENT RECESS
IN-CLASS AFRICAN CIVILIZATION COLLOQUIUM II
Monumental Architecture in Cameroon as a World Heritage: A
Documentary Presentation
Speaker: Professor Emeritus Nicholas David, Professor Emeritus of
Archaeology, University of Calgary.
ONLINE ACTIVITY: DUE March 13
Write a reaction paper based on Dr. David’s lecture/presentation (500 words)
IN-CLASS AFRICAN CIVILIZATION COLLOQUIUM III
Geochemical Evidence for Independent and Primary Glassmaking
Technology in Yoruba Civilization - Nigeria (ca. 1000-1400 AD)
Speaker: Dr. Akinlolu Ige
Director and Professor, Natural History Museum, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
ONLINE ACTIVITY: DUE March 20
Write a reaction paper based on Dr. Ige’s lecture/presentation (500 words)
IN-CLASS AFRICAN CIVILIZATION COLLOQUIUM IV
Crossroads of Civilization: The Greater Sahara in World History
Speaker: Dr. Ray Kea, Professor of History, University of California at
Riverside
ONLINE ACTIVITY: DUE March 27
Write a reaction paper based on Dr. David’s lecture/presentation (500 words)
ONLINE Individual Genius, Tradition, and Politics in Mali Empire I
PRIMARY TEXT ANALYSIS II: Sunjata and the Rise of Mali Empire
READING: Niane, Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali
ONLINE Discussion: Each Student Must Post at least one Question, and post a comment
ACTIVITY: DUE April 5
Take-Home Exam on Epic of Sundiata (Sundiata) – 5 pages: 20 points
IN-CLASS AFRICAN CIVILIZATION COLLOQUIUM V
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APRIL 8
WEEK 15
APRIL 15
WEEK 16
APRIL 22
WEEK 17
APRIL 29
ONLINE
Africanizing Atlantic World History
Speaker: Dr. James Sweet, Professor of History, University of Wisconsin-
Madison
ONLINE ACTIVITY: DUE April 10
Write a reaction paper based on Dr. Sweet’s presentation (500 words)
Individual Genius, Tradition, and Politics in Mali Empire I
PRIMARY TEXT ANALYSIS II: Sunjata and the Rise of Mali Empire
READING: Niane, Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali
ONLINE Discussion (continues)
IN-CLASS AFRICAN CIVILIZATION COLLOQUIUM VI
East Africa in the Indian Ocean World History
Speaker: Dr. Jonathan Walz, Assistant Professor of Anthropology,
Rollins College, FL.
ONLINE ACTIVITY: DUE April 29
ONLINE
Write a reaction paper based on Dr. Walz’s presentation (500 words)
Class Summary and Review of the Class
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