The Teacher Summer Institute on Africa

About the Institute
The Teacher Summer Institute draws twenty participants each June for a concentrated time of learning. The Institute is an expression of the Kansas African Studies Center's effort to reach out to K-12 teachers as well as community college or university instructors. It functions to fulfill KASC's mission "to promote the study of Africa and develop research and teaching of Africanists in the university, the state, and the region."

Photos from the 2008 Teacher Summer Institute
Couldn't make it to the Institute this year? Check out these photos to learn more about this year's theme: "An African Renaissance?"

All photos taken by Tatyana Wilds

garth myers introducing the institute

Garth Myers, Kansas African Studies Center Director, introducing the Institute on June 3.

participants on the first day of the institute

Participants listening attentively on the first day. This year KU Students, K-12 Educators, and community members participated in the Institute.

Associate Director and Outreach Coordinator at the Institute

Emmanuel Birdling, Outreach Coordinator, and Jane Irungu, Associate Director, share their perspectives.

folabo teaching

Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka, Faculty Associate Director, livens up the Institute during her session on "Music, Dance, and Revolutions."

Bianca Elliot with Muslim Barbie

Bianca Elliot, educator at Lansing High School, describes how Saudi Arabian entertainment has adapted Barbie to be culturally appropriate.

visiting scholar Ibrahim Khaleel speaking about hausa culture

Ibrahim Khaleel, visiting scholar from Colombia Missouri, introduces Hausa culture and traditions through dress, videos, and music during his session on "African Renaissance: Contribution of the Hausa People."

john janzen

John Janzen, professor of Anthropology, explaining the Congo's changing borders. Janzen was Director of the Kansas African Studies Center 1998-2005.

shawn alexander and students

Shawn Alexander, professor of African and African-American Studies, speaks with participants after his first time presenting at the Institute.

beverly mack

Beverly Mack, African and African-American Studies Professor, during her session, "Women and Islam in Africa" shares personal experiences and artifacts from her time in Morroco and Northern Nigeria with Institute participants.

Lurleen student presentation

Lurleen Brinkman, KU student of International Studies, presenting to the group about different African healing practices.

kay student presentation

Kay Heley, educator at Antioch Middle School in Overland Park, during her student presentation.

ethiopian food in kc

Kansas City Excursion!

Participants sharing food at the Nigat Ethiopian restaurant with Garth Myers, Director, and Shiferaw Assefa, Africana Librarian and Bibliographer.

powell gardens

Participants visited Powell Gardens to take a look at the contemporary African stone sculptures from the Chapungu Sculpture Park of Zimbabwe, Africa. "The sculptures are the work of three generations of artists, most of whom are Shona. The Shona people are the majority ethnic group in Zimbabwe and have lived in southern Africa for more than 800 years" (information from Powell Gardens website).

jane at the garden

Jane Irungu, Associate Director, enjoying sculptures in Powell Gardens with other Institute participants.

institute participants at powell gardens

Institute participants with Powell Gardens tour guides.

Photo Credit: Tatyana Wilds, International Outreach Coordinator

Questions or Comments? Call the Center at (785) 864-3745, or e-mail kasc@ku.edu.

Summer 2008: An African Renaissance?

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