AFRS 171/272: AFRICAN STUDIES

COURSE SYLLABUS

Instructor Contact Information

Name: Boahemaa Brenya

Phone #: 0501408347

Email: bboahemaa@gtuc.edu.gh

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to this course, African Studies. This is an introductory course designed for
students in issues pertaining to Africa and offers an insight into how Africa’s past has shaped
its political and socio-economic conditions presently.

The course is to throw light into the matters of African history, like the history of mankind as
a whole, is really the story of an awakening. That the story about Africa history needs
revisiting for it has been considerably distorted by ignorance or self-interest.

It aims at given students a conceptual appreciation of African culture and enhancing their
ability to identify and analyse the important cultural issues in relation to current modalities
and determinants of social-economic development. Themes for discussion will also focus on
the cultural matters that arise in the quest for socio-political, religion, technological
advancement and the need to preserve certain traditional values while pursuing new ones.

Grounded in a multidisciplinary approach (History, Political Science, Anthropology and

Literature) and also looking at it from a sociological perspective, some aspect of this course
will examine Africans popular cultures; festivals, religion, music and their social roles and
importance in the lives of African people.

This course will consider leadership in the contemporary Ghanaian and African context, the
actual and potential role of chieftaincy institutions in the development of communities and
states. It will encourage students to examine the perceived developmental problems
associated with traditional and modern leaderships, and the means to address such
challenges.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the course learners should be able to

• Identify and examine African culture in the context of modernity and development.

• Classify the features of the moral codes or values of African culture and explain their
importance to the people and their societies.

• Examine and discuss some African festivals and their roles to the developmental
needs of the people.

• Discuss why religion is important factor in the determination of Africans worldview.

• Outline issues and problems facing African countries today.

• Identify and discuss the leadership styles that have emerged on the African
continent.

• Critically analyze the food insecurity problem in Africa and suggest measures that
can be taken collectively to achieve food security in a named Africa.

Topics to be covered include;

• Culture and Development in Africa

• African Moral Values

• African Popular Culture; Festivals

• Religion and Worldview

• Africa in the Contemporary World

• Traditional and Modern Leadership in Africa

• Gender Roles, Marriage and Family

• Agriculture and Development in Africa

Grading:

 Online participation, Group presentation, Online quiz, Written Assignment, and Mid-
Semester examination = 30%

 Final Semester Examinations= 70%

Suggested reading lists are appended to guide students taking this course. Students can also
search from the other sources or additional materials not immediately available in the
school’s library.

Reading List:

 IAS & Contributors (2013) Africa in Contemporary Perspective; A Textbook for

Undergraduate Students, Sub-Saharan Publishers, Legon-Accra, Ghana.

 Asante, R. (2008) Africa in the Modern World: Centre for Distance Edu., IAE,
University of Ghana, Legon.

 Bame, K.N.(1991) Profiles in African Traditional Popular Culture: Consensus and

Conflict, Dance, Drama, Festivals and Funerals. New York Cleartype Press Inc.

 Chabel, P. (1996) Political Domination in Africa: Reflections on the limits of power,

Cambridge University Press, Kings College London.

 Davidson, B. (1989) Modern Africa: A Social and Political History, 2 nd ed .Longman

Group UK Ltd.

 Gyekye, K. (1996) African Cultural Values: An introduction. Accra; Sankofa Publishing

Company.

 Ki-Zerbe, J. (1990) General History of Africa I: Methodology and African Prehistory,

California UNESCO James Currey.

 Nukunya, G.K. (1996) Kinship and Marriage among the Anlo Ewe. London; Athlon
Press.

 Awedoba, A. K. (2002) Culture and Development; with special reference in Ghana,

IAS University of Ghana-Legon

 Quarcoopome, T.N.O. (1987) West African Traditional Religion; African University

Press, Ibadan.