2010 Teacher Summer Institute

Using the Arts and Cultural Events to Teach about Africa

A lesson with teachers by Julie Alley USD 497

African drumming

"More than Kwanzaa" by Paul Adams USD 501

DAILY SCHEDULE

Introduction

African cultures are some of the richest and oldest in the world. The 2010 Teacher Summer Institute will focus on enhancing K-12 teacher knowledge about Africa as well discussing how to use the arts and cultural events to teach about Africa. KU graduate students and upper level undergraduate students who wish to enhance their knowledge of Africa are also welcome to participate.
This institute is recommended for all teachers and educators who teach about Africa in their classrooms, or who seek quality information and thought-provoking discussion about different aspects of African art and culture. The daily format includes an array of learning sessions: lectures, discussions groups, gallery talks and a drumming workshop with the African Drumming Ensemble at KU.
Participants will create lesson plans to be used in their own classrooms, as well as by other educators, and will have opportunities to meet with faculty consultants for content and resource suggestions. Participants will also have an opportunity to collaborate on creating teaching modules based on the content and strategies learned. These lesson plans will be posted on the center's website and other websites related to international education, providing teachers with valuable materials and resources focusing on the continent. A ‘celebrate Africa’ party that will include music, dancing, and African food will be held on the closing day of the Institute, Friday June 18th, 5 – 7 pm.

Credits
Graduate credit: Available to those who wish to enroll(AAAS 680/690)* and pay KU tuition and fees. Graduate students who are taking the summer institute for credit are required to write a research paper (content must be Africa related). The paper will be graded.
In-service credit If you are a teacher and would like help obtaining in-service credit for your district, please let us know.
* email irungu@ku.edu for a permission number to enroll.

Scholarships
A limited number of $200 (per applicant) scholarships are being offered to (teachers/educators) participants. To apply for the award, write a brief essay answering the following questions.  

• How much time do you devote to teaching Africa?
• What topics do you teach?
• What resources do you use to achieve state curriculum standards? (i.e. books, videos)
• How can KASC help you to achieve your goals on teaching about Africa?

Include one letter of reference from your primary evaluator about your interests in teaching Africa.
Awards may be used for tuition and fees, or other related institute/educational expenses.

The deadline to apply for is Tuesday, June 1, 2010.
[P/S Teachers who are not participating for credit are allowed to pick and choose sessions that they are interested in]

Deadline to register for the Institute: Friday, June 4, 2010
Send completed Registration form with a materials fee ($40 for teachers and $20 for KU students) to:

Teacher Summer Institute
Kansas African Studies Center
University of Kansas
Bailey Hall, Room 10
1440 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045
[Make checks payable to The University of Kansas]

Sampler of Topics

• The geography of Africa: An overview
• The peoples of Africa: An Overview
• The history of Africa: An overview
• FIFA 2010: Role of sports in kinship 
• Everyday rhythms:  The talking drums- ADEKU [African Drum Ensemble, KU]
• Music and Dance: Rap and taarab
• African Art: Symbolism in masks and other artifacts
• Conceptions of love and beauty through the African eyes
• African literature : Poetry, poems  and storytelling
• Using the Arts for health, healing and reconciliation
• Everyday life in Africa: The use of symbols and tools 
• Africanisms in America
• The art of religion, magic and witchcraft
• Culinary arts: Tastes of Africa

Presenters

• Dr. Glenn Adams, Interim Director, KASC, Department of Psychology
• Dr. Garth Myers, Director, KASC, Department of Geography and AAAS
• Dr. Liz MacGonagle, Department of History and AAAS
• Dr. Shawn Alexander, Department of AAAS
• Dr. Hannah Britton, Department of Political Science and Women Stidies
• Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, Department of Sociology
• Dr. Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka, Theatre and Women Studies
• Dr. Christina Lux, Department of French and Italian
• Shiferaw Assefa, Africana Librarian
• Marwa Ghazali, PhD Candidate, Anthropology
• Makame A. Muhajir, PhD Candidate, Geography
• Dylan Basset, Director, African Drumming Ensemble KU [ADEKU]
• Dr. Mary Sundal, Department of Anthropology, Washburn Univesity
• Sherry Best, Gallery Director, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library

Other attractions

Through the eyes of visitors: The African gallery  (Field Trip )
• FIFA 2010 opening ceremony on a projected wide screen at the KS Union-Open Event
• Film: The Neo-African Americans

Please direct any questions about the Institute to Dr. Jane Irungu irungu@ku.edu , 785-864-1064

The institute is made possible by the Department of Education NRC Title VI grant