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143338 VU History of African Studies (2022S)

Knowledge aboutinwith* "Africa": Reflect, Produce, Reflect

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie

Continuous assessment of course work

Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Registration is open from Tu 01.02.2022 08:00 to Tu 01.03.2022 23:59
Deregistration possible until Th 31.03.2022 23:59

Details

max. 50 participants

Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Die Lehrveranstaltung findet in Präsenz statt.
Pandemiebedingt kann ggf. vorübergehend auf "online" umgestellt werden.

Friday 04.03. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 18.03. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 25.03. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 01.04. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 08.04. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 29.04. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 06.05. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 13.05. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 20.05. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 27.05. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 03.06. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 10.06. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 17.06. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
Friday 24.06. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Was are African studies made of? And who are the main actors who shaped the discipline? What were their interest, and which material did they gather to produce knowledge “about”, “in” or “with” “Africa”? This lecture is meant to introduce students to the history of African studies and the various forms it took over time (from early colonial history to the present).

In the first part, we will attempt to “map” African studies: where are “Africa” and “African history” to be found, here in Austria (in museums, archives, universities), who produces historical knowledge about “Africa” (academic versus popular approaches) and what are the geographical boundaries of this discipline outside of the continent (here we will talk about global connections).

In a second part, we will reflect on how bodies of knowledge about African studies are produced. We will talk about the way African studies evolved over time and became professionalized. We will also approach African studies from its most concrete aspect: that of sources and fieldwork, introducing archives, visual and oral sources.
Finally, we will reflect on how African studies can be used: what future is there for students graduating in the field of African studies, in and outside academia?

The lecture will take place in presence (at the Department of African Studies).

Assessment and permitted materials

(1) Look for a job applications in the field of African studies, bring a copy of the job announcement in class;
(2) organize a podium discussion (with the two lecturers).
(3) write a short paper (1000-2000words max) on what “historiography” means and why it is useful to the study and understanding of African history.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

(1) - looking for a job application: 25%
(2) - podiumdiscussion: 25%
(3) - short paper: 50%

Each assignment must be passed/ achieve a positive assessment. For a "pass" a 50%/credits mark is necessary for each of the individual assignments.

Examination topics

A bibliography will be provided in class.

Reading list