When you think of contemporary Africa, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? IS it a megacity? Africa is the most rapidly urbanizing continent in the world. It is home to three of the world’s megacities (populations of 10 million). It is also home to one-third of the world’s languages and over 2000 languages are spoken in Africa. What is daily life within them like, and what kinds of linguistic, cultural, economic, and political roles do they play in our world? In this interdisciplinary class, we’ll look for answers to these questions in articles and mixed media, including Instagram posts, op-eds, TED Talks, YouTube music videos, sci-fi short stories, documentary photography, and more. What we’ll find might surprise you. Along the way, we’ll also do some critical reflection and self-examination: what shapes the ways we think about Africa and why?

Term: Fall 2023

Registration Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of 01 or 02. Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

Instructor: Dr. Victor Alabi

Meetings: TTh 10:30am-11:50am on the sixth floor of the Sciences Library, Room 604

The anti-authoritarian Woman, Life, Freedom movement arose as a reaction to protests, incarceration and death in Iran in the fall of 2022. In this first-year seminar, you will learn about Iran, a country of 87 million people bordered by Iraq and Afghanistan. We will discuss historical events such as the 1979 Iranian Revolution and how they still affect Iran’s relationship to the West. Through a broad selection of texts, film and art, we will explore topics that include corruption, authoritarianism, multiculturalism, race, social class, religion and gender relations in today’s Iranian culture and society. In English.

Term: Fall 2023

Registration Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a semester level of 01 or 02. Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students. 

Instructor: Dr. Michelle Quay

Meetings: M 3:00pm-5:30pm Barus & Holley 165