Nov 14, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
INST 1100 - Introduction to African Studies
This interdisciplinary course provides a comprehensive overview of the African continent, its people, and its cultures. Through a variety of lenses, including anthropology, art, dance, economics, education, geography, history, linguistics, literature, and political science, students explore the rich and diverse history, culture, and politics of Africa. The course also examines the intercultural issues that shape Africa, such as cultural identity, conflict resolution, and sustainable development. Students learn about the different ways that Africans are working to address these challenges and gain a deeper understanding of the continent’s vital role in the global community.
Credit Hours: 3
OHIO BRICKS: Arch: Connected World, Foundations: Intercultural Explorations
General Education Code (students who entered prior to Fall 2021-22): 2CP
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Course Transferability: OTM course: TMSBS Social & Behavioral Sciences
College Credit Plus: Level 1
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be able to explain key terminology, concepts, and findings relevant to the field of African Studies.
- Students will be able to explain the primary theoretical approaches, methodological techniques, and ethical concerns in the practice and findings of African Studies.
- Students will be able to identify and interpret a range of relevant information sources in African Studies, including academic literature, oral histories, and local knowledge systems.
- Students will be able to explain how African Studies contributes to becoming an informed and globally aware citizen, including understanding Africa’s impact on the world and vice versa.
- Students will be able to ask complex questions about African cultures and develop responses that reflect multiple cultural perspectives and an understanding of African diversity.
- Students will be able to critically discuss the historical, social, and political dimensions of issues related to Africa.
- Students will be able to analyze assumptions and consider contexts when presenting positions on African topics.
- Students will be able to make informed arguments regarding African issues that recognize complexities and acknowledge limitations.
- Students will be able to critically discuss how their own identity and positionality shapes their values, assumptions, beliefs, and practices as they relate to African cultures.
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of cultural differences in verbal and non-verbal communication within African contexts and negotiate shared understandings based on those differences.
- Students will be able to exercise curiosity, suspend judgment, practice empathy, and foster mutual respect and understanding as they learn about diverse African cultures.
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