Women and Health Issues in Africa by Omofolabo Ajayi.
In this presentation, issues on women's health are approached more
from socio-cultural basis using feminist and cultural discourse than
actual medical analysis. In popular discourse of women's health in Africa,
about three important social factors are invariably ignored: - 1) class
factor/economic resources 2) two different and conflicting medical practices
existing side by side, and 3) availability and effectiveness of medical
resources. This presentation looks at the impact of these social factors
on the state of health on the continent generally, and how they affect
women's health in particular.
Traditional African and western-style belief systems: Attitudes towards
stability and interactions with African care systems by Julie F. Sergeant
This paper examines Central African and Western African belief systems
in regard to people with disabilities and their care systems. Relationships
and interactions for future planning are given.
The visual Arts: Masks and the Masquerading in Africa, by Patricia
Darish
By using selected readings, the presentation gives an overview of
the continent and the people of Africa with respect to the differing
physical and cultural landscapes and the implications of these factors
for the arts.
African Art in the curriculum: A perspective by Mariama Ross
This paper discusses the topic if art, specifically African art as
a pedagogical tool for conveying content about Africa in a manner that
is interesting, meaningful and authentic, while remaining respectful
of the cultures which produced it and which receive it.
Africa in the school curriculum: Making connections:Teaching
Africa. Images, stereotypes and strategies, by Sandra Gray
One of the greatest problems we face in the teaching of African History
and culture to US students ate the stereotypes of African people presented
in the media. Most of these images are negative. This presentation examines
some of the stereotypes and consider how we can I) make students aware
of them and 2) replace them with, more positive and personal images.
Ethnicity in Africa: a mirror image of state weakness by
John Janzen
This presentation is mainly about the weakness of the state. Review
of two or three case studies of such conflict - Nigeria, Angola, and
Rwanda will show that the colonial government used ethnic division which
they in most cases created, or reinforced to rule. This very state structure
with its internal divisions became the independence era government,
and has been used by independent African leaders to gain and keep control
of the state usually at the expense of the common people.
TEACHING MODULES
Using Africa to teach Political Science concepts: Botswana by Carolyn
Kadel
This presentation focuses on political ideologies, systems and processes
in selected nation states. Most introductory political science courses
either ignore Africa or discuss it primarily in "negative" chapters. The purpose of this project is to counteract this tendency
by utilizing a case study of Botswana for introductory students.
Level: college: introductory
A geography unit on Africa, by Joy Lominska
This is intended as an extension of a second grade geography unit
which teaches simple map skills, the names and locations of the continents,
and the concept that a map is a kind of picture if the world.
Level: 2
A curriculum unit on Masks by Mariana B. Nothern
This curriculum unit explores the different types of masks used in
Africa and their purposes.
Level: 8
A 3-4 week teaching unit on African Masks by Manourchehr Pedram
This teaching unit is designed for grades 7 and 8 during the celebration
of the African American Month. Students will be able to gain knowledge
of African masks, its use and significance in the African societies.
They will also be able to focus on magnet theme of art and develop individual
mask project.
Level: 7-8
A 2-day World History Curriculum unit on Kingdoms of West Africa: Ghana,
Mali, and Songhai By Mike Ortman
How can teachers make inroads into this dearth of African knowledge
that most students have, and yet deal with the time and constraints
of a standard World History course? The solution is to integrate lessons
on Africa throughout the curriculum. The lessons must be succinct, factual
and of a short duration in order for the average teacher to actually
make use of them. This unit is only two of many that would be desirable
to expose students to African History.
Level: 10-11
Africa speaks out: A world history lesson on the affects of colonialism
on Africa by Cherly Deck
"Many times in the social studies curriculum, Africa is a forgotten
subject. We need to prepare students to be able to disassociate themselves
from pre-conceived prejudices and biases and learn to an empathetic
and a well-rounded, knowledgeable decision-maker. " This is a model
lesson that presents Africa objectively.
Level: 10-12
