The University Record, November 12, 1996
Workshop explores African power and culture
A week-long international workshop examining transformations of power and culture in Africa, sponsored by the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies (CAAS), continues through Nov. 20. Through a series of panel discussions, films, lectures and visits to the Detroit Institute of Arts, the workshop will explore and question assumptions about African power and culture “inherited by the field of African studies from its colonial and anti-colonial past.”
Highlights of the week’s events include:
Friday (Nov. 15)—CAAS Discussion Group: “African Peoples in the Industrial Age,” 3-5 p.m. in Room 111, West Hall.
Saturday (Nov. 16)—Global Education Workshop for teachers will examine issues confronting world cities, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Lane Hall Commons. Experts from several disciplines will be featured in hour-long lectures.
Sunday (Nov. 17)—Noon tour of the Detroit Institute of Arts exhibition, “African Form and Imagery,” led by E. Nii Quarcoopome, co-curator of the exhibition.
Monday (Nov. 18)—Two panel discussions in the Ehrlicher Room, West Hall: Morning panel discussion 10-11:30 a.m. explores “Gender, Family & Community: Zimbabwe & Nigeria.” Afternoon panel discussion 1-3 p.m. focuses on same topic, with different panelists and moderator. At 7 p.m. in Room 1324 East Hall, Ousmane Sembene’s 1993 film Guelwaar will be shown.
Tuesday (Nov. 19)—“South Africa & African Studies: Research Initiatives among African & American Scholars” is the topic of a roundtable discussion 12:15-2 p.m. in the Tribute Room, School of Education Building. The discussion is co-sponsored by the South Africa Initiative Office.
The workshop is the culmination of a semester-long cross-disciplinary teaching, research and training project undertaken by CAAS on “Transformations of Power and Culture in Africa.” The project links scholars in the humanities and the social sciences and provides new opportunities to engage African and African American colleagues in collaborative work.
