Last Updated: Sun, 12/28/2025
Course prefix:
ARBC/FREN/SWAH/WOLO
Course number:
3420
Semester:
Spring
Academic year:
2026
Course description:

This interdisciplinary course will use a variety of approaches to study significant aspects of contemporary Africa’s societies, cultures, and representations. No required book or textbook, all learning materials available onlineTaught in English.

Course learning outcomes:

This course will introduce students to Africa. Students will:

  • develop their analysis skills related to Africa’s current issues;
  • examine documents and content related to Africa;
  • will discuss aspects of ARBC/FREN/PORT/SWAH/WOLO cultures and impacts across the African continent; and
  • evaluate the importance of Africa today.
Required course materials:

NO REQUIRED BOOK: Web-based material.

Course packet: selected documents and links on each unit studied on the syllabus and/or CANVAS 

Grading policy:

Weekly Postings on Canvas [20% of final grade];

2 Mini-Presentations in class based on your 2 essays [20% of final grade, 10% each].

2 Essays (40% of final grade, 20% each);

Active participation (20% of final grade)

 

A: 90-100 / Superior performance.

B: 80-89 / Above-average, high-quality performance.

C: 70-79 / Average performance.

D: 60-69 / Below-average performance. Needs substantive work.

F: 0-59 / Unacceptable performance.

Attendance policy:

Attendance essential and part of the grade (one point taken off final grade for each unexcused absence after 2 absences; more than 10 minutes late: half an absence). Only a GT letter can excuse an absence. Please make a constant effort to present your point of view/ideas to class. Please be on time too.

Academic honesty/integrity statement:

Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.

Core IMPACTS statement(s) (if applicable):

This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area. 

-Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.  

-This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question: 

  • How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic, & philosophical works?  

-Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome: 

  • Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.  

-Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies: 

  • Ethical Reasoning
  • Information Literacy
  • Intercultural Competence  
Instructor First Name:
Jean
Instructor Last Name:
Ippolito
Section:
A
CRN (you may add up to five):
33016
33017
33018
33019
Department (you may add up to three):