Fall 2003
INSTRUCTORS: Professor Parker English
315 Marcus White, Ext. 2-2824
englishp@ccsu.edu (e-mail username)
Office hours: 2:00-3:00 WF; 12:30-2 TR
Professor Andrew Moemeka
3170200 Vance, Ext. 2-2698
moemeka@ccsu.edu (e-mail username)
Office hours: 11-12 TR; 2-4:30 W
TEXTS:
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (purchase required)
- Ambiguous Adventure by Cheikh Hamidou Kane (purchase required)
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (purchase required)
- Photocopies of essays by and about Leopold Senghor (supplied)
- Photocopies of essays by Zora Neale Hurston (supplied)
- Photocopies of essays about “performatives” (supplied)
COURSE GOALS: To familiarize you with some of the most important concepts, beliefs, and practices in African cultures. We will emphasize co-cultural variations which impact relationships, marriages, songs and dances, as well as child-rearing, local and state governments, and conflict resolution.
THE EVALUATION AND GRADING SYSTEM:
Assignment Date Due % of Final Grade
• Computer Conference on-going 15
• Papers
English (First paper: 4-5pp. ) TBA 12
(Second paper: 4-5pp.) TBA 12
Moemeka (First paper: 4-5pp.) TBA 12
(Second paper: 4-5pp.) TBA 12
• Debate/Rebuttal Presentations 10-24 November 25
• Position Paper (4-5 pp.) 15 December 12
____
100
Schedule
Meeting Topic
Sept. 8 Course introduction. Library introduction.
Moemeka
15 Africa (geography, short history and government)
22 Culture (fundamental principles in action)
29 Relationships (Interpersonal, Friendship and Age Grades)
English
Oct. 6 Traditional African philosophy; read Things Fall Apart.
13 Contemporary African philosophy; read Ambiguous Adventure.
20 Combining African philosophy with African American philosophy; read Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Moemeka
27 The Family: (a) Hierarchy and Responsibilities
(b) Mateship – courtship, marriage, children, names
Nov. 3 Socials (Songs, Dance, Dress, Births/Burials)
Debates and Rebuttals
10 First two four-person groups, with rebuttals.
17 Second two four-person groups, with rebuttals.
24 Third two four-person groups, with rebuttals.
English
Dec. 1 Combining Africana philosophy with Western philosophy; read "Performatives" by J.L. Austin.
Conclusion
11 Discussion and Course Evaluation