Week 1: The Value of African Studies

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the learning objectives of Lecture 1?

To appreciate the significant contribution of Africa to world civilization (correct)

To explore the identity of Dr. Guy Scott

To understand the concept of pan-Africanism

To study the life of Barack Hussein Obama

What is the main concern when considering African identities?

The complexity of identities that people of African ancestry bear (correct)

The definition of citizenship in Africa

The level of 'Africanness' an individual possesses

The role of the African identity in global politics

What is implied by the concept of 'ubuntu'?

The notion of African inferiority

The concept of shared value systems and world views (correct)

The collective nature of African identities

The importance of individualism in African cultures

What is a characteristic of the construction of African identities?

A dynamic and complex interplay of multiple identities Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge posed by the contentious nature of African identities?

The implication for pan-Africanism and development trajectories Signup and view all the answers

What is a legal dimension of defining Africanness?

Citizenship, parentage, or naturalization Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the examples of Dr. Guy Scott and Barack Hussein Obama?

To illustrate the complexity of African identities Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying assumption of the concept of 'levels of Africanness'?

That some individuals are more African than others Signup and view all the answers

What was Monty Jones awarded the World Food Prize for in 2004?

Leading a team in crossing West African rice with Asian rice Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about Monty Jones' approach to plant breeding?

It involves participatory methods linking farmers, extension agents and scientists Signup and view all the answers

When was Ethiopian Airlines established?

1945 Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the quote 'With its ten modern 787s and its confident global ambitions, Ethiopian Airlines has not just Africa, but the whole world, in its hands'?

Ethiopian Airlines' growth and global ambitions Signup and view all the answers

What are the three dimensions of African Studies?

Research, knowledge production, and the application of knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is Archaeology a source of in African Studies?

Non-documentary sources Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about African Culture?

It is only about drumming and dancing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a definition of culture?

A way of life that is unique to individuals. Signup and view all the answers

How is archaeological information obtained?

Through the excavation of specially selected sites Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of culture according to the text?

It is learnt and acquired through socialization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the institute where Gordon J.U delivered an inaugural lecture?

Institute of African Studies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an aspect of culture?

Economy, which includes production, distribution, and consumption. Signup and view all the answers

What is culture often described as?

A convenient shorthand for an ill-defined entity. Signup and view all the answers

Who defined culture as 'that complex whole which includes knowledge, morals, religion, customs and habits or any other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society'?

E.B. Tylor. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of culture according to the text?

It is transmissible directly and indirectly. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about modernity and culture?

They are mutually exclusive and opposing concepts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main implication of the 'Except Africa' narrative about Africa?

Africa has to change rather than development policies adapting to its needs Signup and view all the answers

What is the common theme among the individuals depicted in the 'Bad Governance' image?

They are all examples of leaders who have been accused of corruption or human rights abuses Signup and view all the answers

What is the main implication of the 'Doomsday narratives' about Africa?

The solution to Africa's problems lies outside the continent Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the 'Misrepresenting Africa' section?

To challenge common stereotypes and misrepresentations about Africa Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of the 'Poverty' image?

Poverty is a global issue that affects both developed and developing countries Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of the 'Conflicts' image?

Conflicts are a global issue that affects both developed and developing countries Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the 'Debate on Cultural Practices' section?

To highlight the diversity of cultural practices across the world Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of the 'Africa the continent of crisis' section?

Africa is a continent of crisis that requires external intervention Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate land area of Africa in square kilometers?

11,700,000 km2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the distance from Cape Town to Cairo in kilometers?

8,000 km Signup and view all the answers

What is the dichotomy referred to in the concept of Political Geography of Africa?

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) vs North Africa Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of African Diaspora referring to?

African presence in Europe, Caribbean, North America & South America Signup and view all the answers

What is the physical aspect of Political Geography of Africa referring to?

The map of Africa, its people, traditions, and political institutions Signup and view all the answers

What is the conceptual aspect of Political Geography of Africa referring to?

African people, cultures, traditions, and practices on the continent and in the diaspora Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the Political Geography of Africa?

Physical and conceptual presence of Africa and African cultures Signup and view all the answers

What is the dimension of time and space in the context of Political Geography of Africa?

Historical and contemporary expansion of Africa Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Value of African Studies in Today's World

African studies are essential in understanding the distinctive nature of Africa and its contribution to world civilization.
African identities are constructed in the face of the mosaic of identities that peoples of African ancestry living within and beyond the continent bear.
The concept of Africanness is multilayered, including legal, conceptual, and philosophical aspects, such as shared value systems and world views (e.g., "ubuntu" - I am because we are).

Misrepresenting Africa

There are two types of narratives about Africa: "Except Africa" and "Doomsday narratives".
These narratives misrepresent Africa as a continent of crisis, with no history, civilization, or development, and that the solution lies outside Africa.
Examples of misrepresentation include:
- Africa is the "dark continent".
- Africans have inferior minds.
- Poverty, conflicts, and bad governance are prevalent in Africa.
- Cultural practices are often misunderstood or misrepresented.

Defining Africanness

Africanness can be defined through various aspects, including:
- Legal (e.g., citizenship, parentage, naturalization)
- Conceptual (e.g., shared value systems and world views)
- Philosophical (e.g., "ubuntu" - I am because we are)

What is African Studies

African studies is a formally organized multi-disciplinary academic study of the continent of Africa and the African diaspora.
The study of African studies is three-dimensional, including:
- Research/knowledge production
- Dissemination of knowledge and teaching
- Application of knowledge/transformation of knowledge into policies and social action

Accessing Sources on Africa

There are various sources of information on Africa, including:
- Documentary sources (e.g., archaeological information)
- Non-documentary sources (e.g., oral traditions)

Culture

Culture is a complex whole that includes knowledge, morals, religion, customs, and habits or any other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society.
Culture is learnt, pertains to the group, and is transmissible directly and indirectly.
Variety of sanctions enforce some conformity.
There are different views on culture, including:
- It is the way a people think, feel, and believe.
- It is a convenient shorthand for an ill-defined entity that might be described as "a way of life".

Political Geography of Africa

Political geography is defined as the physical and conceptual presence of Africa and African cultures, political systems, and values across time and space.
The physical presence of Africa refers to the map of Africa, its people, traditions, and political institutions.
The conceptual presence of Africa refers to African presence through its people, cultures, traditions, and practices on the continent and in the diaspora.
Important facts about Africa include:
- Africa is the second-largest continent after Asia.
- It has a land area of a little over 11,700,000 square/km2.
- It stretches about 8000 kms from Cape Town to Cairo, and 4,800 kms from Dakar to Mogadishu.

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Description

Explore the importance of African studies in today's world, including the continent's distinctive nature, representations, and contributions to world civilization.