Unit One: Why Study Africa?
Module One: Exploring the Diversity of Africa
Student's Edition

PURPOSE: This first module will introduce the students to Africa in a manner which convinces them of the importance of studying the continent. Four themes which inform the entire eight week unit will be introduced in this session:

1. Diversity of Africa: Africa, the second largest continent in the world, is a very diverse continent. This diversity is articulated in its physical geography and climate; in its plurality of cultures, traditions, beliefs, values, religions, and artistic expressions; in its many modes of economic production, distribution, and consumption; in its diverse social and political structures and practices.
   
2. Africa has a rich history: Africa has a dynamic history - - Africa was the birthplace of human societies; it has been home to many great civilizations; its history has been shaped by contact with others through great migrations, wars, slavery, colonialism, the Cold War, and the waxing and waning of state systems.
3. Africa Globally Connected: For millennia, Africa has interacted with the outside world.

This interaction has facilitated many African contributions and exports to the world, such as agricultural products, minerals and other material goods, as well as knowledge and cultural expressions. This interaction has also allowed African societies to benefit from imports from the outside world, such as information and other technologies. Special emphasis will be given to Africa's contributions to and trade with North America.

4. Representations and Stereotypes of Africa: popular images of Africa held by Americans are based on stereotypes which offer fragmented, often inaccurate images of Africa. Throughout the prepared curriculum, we will be purposefully confronting stereotypes and misrepresentations of Africa that are popularly held by many Americans.

CONCEPTS/ VOCABULARY: taken from: www.infoplease.com

• Diversity: Pronunciation: (di-vûr'si-tE, dI-), [key] the state or fact of being of a different kind, form, character; difference; unlikeness.

• History: Pronunciation: (his'tu-rE, his'trE), [key]

  1. the branch of knowledge dealing with past events.

  2. a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account; chronicle; example: a history of Cameroon.

• Globalization : Pronunciation: (glO'bu-lIz"), [key]

1. the act of extending to other or all parts of the globe; making world wide;

1. example: efforts to globalize the auto industry.

Activities

1. Five Quick Words: Image Activity
2. Activity Two

a. The Size of Africa: Image Activity
b. Images of Africa
c. Portraying African History: Image Activity
d. African Flags: Image Activity
e. Languages of Africa

3. Linked to the World
4. Homework