The Summer Teacher Institute on Africa 2001: "Peoples of Africa: A Source of Knowledge and Learning"
This year's summer institute was held from June 18th to June 29th. The main
objective of the institute was to apply a multidisciplinary approach of training
techniques to enhance the teaching and understanding of African people. It
included presentations, panels, demonstrations, museum illustrations, hands-on
library search, and interactive discussions with African Studies faculty specializing
in African art, history, culture, education, geography, health, economy, media,
and religion. Teachers and educators at different levels participated.
PRESENTATIONS:
- African peoples: the historical context (Dr. Tom Lewin).
- Ethnic conflicts in Congo & Rwanda (Dr. John Janzen ).
- Overview of African peoples: Human geography (Dr. Garth Myers)*
- Socioeconomic status of African people (Panel: Dr. Mohamed El-
hodiri & Dr. Elizabeth Asiedu).
- Values and traditional religions of African people (Dr. Peter Ukpokodu).
- Methodological approaches to the teaching of Africa (Dr. Nelly Ukpokodu).*
- Islam in Africa (Dr. Leonardo Villalon).
- Learning about African people at the Museum of Anthropology (Dr.
John Janzen & Michelle Edwards).*
- Contemporary politics of African peoples (Dr. Leonardo Villalon &
Dr. Tom Volek)
- Africana library resources: Africa online: searching the Web for curricular
materials: (Dr. Ken Lohrentz & Dr. Khalid El-hassan).-Clarke Lab, Watson
Library.*
- Languages & culture of African peoples (Panel: Dr.
Fiona McLaughlin, Aminu Gusau & Jane Irungu).
- Media and stereotype of African people (Dr. Malcolm Gibson).
- Gender and the situation of African women (Dr. Folabo Ajayi)
- Human rights and social equity in the postcolonial Africa (Dr. Jacob
Gordon & Dr. Tom Volek).*
- Training on using videos for teaching Africa (Ms Kitty Collins)*
- Health issues and the dilemma of HIV/AIDS in Africa (Dr. Sandra Gray).*
- African Music and dance: presentation and demonstration (Dr. Folabo Ajayi)*
- Literature of African people: oral and written (Dr. Fiona
McLaughlin).
*Notes for these presentations are available at the Center.
Participants had a visit and special learning sessions at Nelson -Atkins
Museum of Art in Kansas City with Curator Joyce Youmans, & Dr. Christopher
Roy). Towards the end of the institute, the participants prepared Individual/group
teaching modules .Faculty were at hand for consultation in specific subject
areas. The institute ended with an evening of African food and music.
The Summer institute has always had great reviews from participants.This
years' evaluations were equally encouraging. [Read Comments]