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) and history (focusing on slavery,
colonialism and contemporary politics). Based on an inter-disciplinary
approach, the program will combine participation in cultural activities,
travel to relevant 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 a cultural understanding of a
relatively less known Ghanaian culture and reality. Resource persons
will include the University of Cape Coast Professors, traditional
rulers, tour guides and practitioners from 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 project work.
A major objective,
here, is to provide an interdisciplinary program that opens
possibilities for non-locals 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.) will set a
context for participants to make meaning out of their experiences with
the wider cultural context. The program’s site visits and activities
will provide such a context that should augment participants’ own
perspective, if any, about Ghana’s historical and cultural heritage.
Suggested Reading:
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
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