This is a program in
discovery. It seeks to offer a platform for students to acquaint
themselves with the broad tenets of the
Ghanaian culture (including food, music, dance, religion, modes of
communication, traditional authority, and local language usage), history
(focusing on slavery, colonialism and contemporary politics)
and technology (achievement in science, engineering and resource
management and utilization). Based on an inter-disciplinary approach,
the program will combine participation in cultural
activities, travel to relevant historical, cultural and technological
sites with local language learning and formal seminar presentations on
selected topics, in order to actualize its broad aims of bringing
American students close to an ethnogeographic understanding of a
relatively less known Ghanaian culture, its
heritage and reality. Resource persons will include Professors from
the University of Cape Coast, University of Science and Technology,
University of Development Studies, and the University of Ghana. Other
participants will include traditional rulers, tour guides, and
practitioners from technical, educational, governmental and
non-governmental agencies. The program is open to students who wish to
be challenged in ways that are creative in a supportive and stimulating
environment. The program will allow room for self-refection, and a
project work.
A major objective,
here, is to provide an interdisciplinary program that opens
possibilities for American students to appreciate the complexities of
the ideologies that guide the diurnal practices of the people of present
day Ghana.
The program is interactive. Participants will be expected to become part
of the planned activities. The program’s language component will cover
topics, such as ‘self-introduction,’ ‘greeting and leave-taking’, and
‘shopping.’ The formal lectures on aspects of the local culture (women,
politics, religion, the arts, etc.) and its implication on technological
advancement will set a context for participants to make meaning out of
their experiences with the wider cultural context. The program’s site
visits, lectures, and activities will provide such a context that should
augment participants’ own perspective, if any, about Ghana’s historical,
cultural and technological heritage
Suggested Readings:
Anquandah, Kwesi J. Castles and
Forts of Ghana Paris: Atalante, 1999.
Azevedo,
Mario, ed. African Studies: A Survey of Africa and the African
Diaspora Durham: Carolina Academic Press, 1993 (chapters 1 &2)
Mann, Kristin
& Bay, Edna G. eds. Rethinking the African Diaspora London: Frank
Cass 2001 (selected readings)
Olaniyan, Richard, ed. African
History and Culture Lagos, Longman
Nigeria 1982
Program Fee: TBD. Items included in
this fee:
Info Sessions:
SGA Presidential Conference Room, Davis Center
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