The Summer Teacher Institute on Africa 2002: "Islam and Africa: Myths and Realities"
June 17 - 28, 2002
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Comments (what the participants had to say!)
The main concern of this two-week institute sponsored by the African Studies
Resource Center was to deal with the issue of conceptions and misconceptions
of Islam and Africa. Its objective was to provide information and first hand
experience on Islam as a religion and to introduce Islam as a way of life
and peaceful expression of culture in Africa. These educational experiences
enabled the institute's participants to better understand Islam and Africa
so as to better teach these and related topics. Using a multi-faceted approach
of methods and teaching that included presentations, demonstration, video
illustrations, panel discussions, and hands-on library research, Africanist
and Islamist faculty provided the content knowledge of understanding Islam
and Africa.
Teacher's Summer Institute 2002 provided teachers and graduate students a
unique perspective on Islam and Africa. The institute was recommended for
any teacher, K-12 and higher, who teaches about Africa and Islam or who seeks
quality information and thought-provoking discussion about many aspects related
to Islam and Muslim people in Africa. It was also great for graduate students
who who were looking foward to expand their knowledge of Islam
The daily format included an array of learning sessions - talks and panel
discussions by KU Africanists and Islamists from other universities, library
research time, on line training, and field trips to selected areas around
Lawrence related to Islam and Africa. Participants prepared topics and presented
them to the participants, they also had opportunities to meet with faculty
consultants for content and resource suggestions.
The Institute was supported by funding from the US Department of Education.
A number of scholarships were offered to cover tuition fees and other expenses.
They were offered to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
The closing ceremony was a celebration of African culture, including a festive
African dinner, with Northern African music and dance.
