Discipline: Anthropology Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Anthropology 21


COURSE DESCRIPTION
21 Peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
Survey of indigenous cultures of sub-Saharan Africa, and their contributions to and situation in the modern world. Focus on adaptations, society, belief systems, culture change, and the effects of European colonization on current culture and politics in Africa. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Survey of indigenous cultures of sub-Saharan Africa, including adaptations, society, beliefs, and contributions to the world.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Distinguish the major adaptations, linguistic groups, and cultures
of indigenous sub-Saharan Africa.

Apply ethnographic data and a cross-cultural anthropological
perspective to formulate interpretations about the relationship of
environment, subsistence, and other factors to social and political
organization.

Compare and analyze the varieties of religious beliefs and
ideologies, and discuss their relationship to other aspects of
society.

Identify the effects of colonization and European contact on the
development of cultures and political organization.

Discuss the value of an anthropological perspective for examining
the diversity of sub-Saharan cultures and societies and for
revealing their contributions to the world.

Assess current theoretical and ethical debates in the
anthropological study of sub-Saharan African cultures and their
relationship to the modern world.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. The basic concepts of anthropology as applied to the study of African cultures.
  2. Background to the study of African culture
    1. Characteristics of the African continent, environment, climate
    2. Concepts of race and ethnicity in Africa
    3. African languages and their distribution
  3. Subsistence and economic systems
    1. Types of subsistence systems, and their relationship to adaptation and social structure
    2. Distinctive subsistence and economic practices of Africa
    3. Economics: production, trade and exchange
  4. Ethnographic diversity: intensive examination of a number of African cultures, their adaptations and current political and social context
    1. Subsistence patterns
      1. Hunter-gatherer populations
      2. Pastoralists
      3. Horticulturalists
      4. Intensive agriculture, urbanized and complex
        societies, state-level organization
    2. Social organization and social structure
      1. Marriage and family pattern
      2. Kinship and descent; lineage and clans
      3. Age-grade and age-village systems; other non-age types of associations
      4. Social ranking and stratification
    3. Political organization and social control
      1. Bands
      2. Tribes
      3. Chiefdoms
      4. States
      5. Relationships of traditional societies to modern
        nation-states in Africa
    4.  Religion
      1. Traditional religious systems and practices
      2. Healing practices
      3. Witchcraft beliefs
      4. Islam and Christianity in Africa
    5. Art
      1. African art forms and techniques
      2. Relationship of art to society
  5. Culture change in Africa
    1. Sources of change; the impact of colonization
    2. Effects of change on modern African society
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Class lectures, discussions, and demonstrations, in order for students to comprehend the basic concepts and frameworks used in the anthropological study of African cultures and culture change
  • Audiovisual presentations, such as videos, slides, DVDs, handouts, and electronic or computer-based media, in order to illustrate and enhance course content
  • Pair, small group, and class collaborative activities and projects to allow students to apply and discuss concepts, evaluate theories, and interpret data relating to the development and diversity of African civilizations
  • Development and assignment of class exercises, essays, research projects, posters, and oral presentations in order to allow students to apply concepts, assess evidence, and evaluate theories
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Quizzes and examinations designed to assess mastery of course concepts, critically analyze problems, and apply key concepts
  • Individual and group assignments designed to demonstrate ability to apply methods and techniques, evaluate theories, and make reasonable inferences from evidence
  • Written reports, research projects, essays, posters, and oral presentations, designed to apply concepts, utilize methods and techniques, and apply and assess theoretical perspectives
  • Final examination designed to assess mastery of the essential concepts developed in the course
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Bohannan, Paul and Philip Curtin. Africa and Africans. 4 ed. any: Waveland Press, 1995.
  • Schneider, Harold K. . The Africans: An Ethnological Account. any: Prentice Hall, 1981.
  • In addition to the primary textbooks, instructors may choose to use case studies, ethnographies, and anthologies.
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