Visiting Africa: What are we missing?

Visiting Africa: What are we missing?

In Section 2, “Studying Africa and the African Diaspora,” we explored some of the rich African philosophical theories, inventions, achievements, and the roots of humanity. However, Africa’s progress was interrupted by colonization and slavery, and this interruption is what is usually taught in mainstream courses.

Objective: This 2-4 page assignment requires a theoretical field trip to an African country of your choosing. Your task is to investigate and identify a significant cultural, technological, or intellectual contribution that has not been adequately integrated or acknowledged in Western society and education.

The Mission: Your journey is a quest to find the “missing link” a piece of knowledge, a social practice, an innovation, or a philosophical concept from Africa that, if properly understood and adopted, would significantly enrich or re-contextualize our Western worldview. This is not about exoticism or a simple case study. It is a dive into what we, in the West, are lacking due to our limited perspective.

Instructions:

1. Choose Your Destination: Select a specific country and a cultural group within that country. For example, you might choose to visit the Maasai in Kenya, the Yoruba in Nigeria, or the Dogon in Mali. Explain your choice and the specific aspect of their culture you plan to investigate.
2. Identify the “Missing Link”: Through your research (watching documentaries and movies, reading articles, official government or organization websites), identify a specific contribution. This could be:

• A unique approach to community and social cohesion. How do they manage conflict, share resources, or care for the elderly?
• An indigenous practice. Think about sustainable agriculture, water management, or traditional medicine.
• A philosophical or epistemological framework. What is their understanding of the self, or the relationship between humans and nature?
• An artistic or linguistic innovation. How does their art or language structure thought in a way that differs from Western models?

1. Analyze the Impact: Write a detailed analysis of your “missing link.” Answer the following questions:

• What is it, and how does it function within its native context?
• How would the integration of this knowledge or practice change a specific aspect of Western society (e.g., our approach to healthcare, our education system, or our environmental policies)?

Rubric:

1. Research and Identification (20 points)

• Choice of Topic (10 points): The paper clearly explains the chosen country, cultural group, and the specific contributionor “missing link”under investigation. The topic is well-defined and demonstrates a nuanced understanding that goes beyond common stereotypes.
• Depth of Knowledge (10 points): The paper provides a thorough and detailed account of how the identified contribution functions within its native context. It demonstrates evidence of thorough research and a solid understanding of the subject.

2. Analysis and Argument (25 points)

• Analysis and Proposed Impact: The argument for how this “missing link” could benefit or transform a specific aspect of Western society is compelling and well-supported. The paper clearly articulates the value of the contribution and how it could be practically integrated.