AFST3187: Africa is NOT a Country

The title of this course, “Africa is Not a Country,” is a not-so-tongue in cheek reference to the enormous ethnic, cultural, regional, social, political, and linguistic diversity of the Continent that is frequently reduced to and stereotyped by its simplest parts.  This course is particularly innovative in that it is team-taught by the entire faculty, giving participants a crash-course the amazing diversity of the second largest continent in the world.  Students will enjoy “Quick-Talks” each week lead by a new faculty member, community-based experiential learning opportunities, and a safe space to develop the critical thinking skills needed to confront misinformation from the position of an informed and responsible global citizen scholar.

The Department of Africana Studies envisions “Africa is NOT a Country” as a critical intervention in confronting the historical, cultural, and political myths that that underlie anti-Black racism in the United States and abroad.  This course actively deconstructs the negative imagery, dialogue, and historical views of Africa through guided, interactive dialogue led by the entire teaching faculty.  Each week students will workshop a new, real-world question associated with anti-Black racism linked to Africa, and the course will rely heavily open dialogue and guided conversation designed to empower students to engage in informed civic debate and action.