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AFRS 6610: AFRICAN DIASPORA THEORY

FALL 2012

CLASSROOM: FRIDAY 132

Monday 5:00-7:45pm

Instructor: Dr. Akin Ogundiran

Africana Studies Department

Office: Garinger 113

Phone: 704-687-2355

E-Mail: ogundiran@uncc.edu

Office Hours: Mon. 2:00-3:00pm; Tues. 4:00-5:00pm; Wed. 2:00-3:00 pm, and by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course focuses on the diverse conceptual and theoretical perspectives in Diaspora and Transnational

studies, with emphasis on the dialectical relationships between social theories of nation, state, ethnicity,

identity, race, and culture on one hand and the emerging theorizing of the diaspora and transnational

networks on the other. Using the African diasporic formations and transnational African subjectivities as

case study, the course will introduce students to Africana-centered theoretical frameworks in the

humanities and the social sciences as these may relate to migration, identity, race, and multiculturalism, in

the global settings. The historical contexts that have defined the African Diaspora and the more recent

global transnational networks will be emphasized throughout the course.

This is a core class for the Graduate Certificate in Africana Studies. It is also open to students interested

in African and African Diaspora studies; race, migration, transnational, and identity issues in other

disciplines.

At the end of the class, students are expected to (1) have an in-depth understanding of the major

conceptual and theoretical approaches in African Diaspora studies as a branch of the social sciences; (2)

master concise oral and written presentations in the African Diaspora course content; (3) and develop a

sound understanding of the relevance of the diaspora and transnational theories to issues related to

identity, globalization, development, race, and migration, among others.

REQUIRED TEXTS

All the readings for the course are available in Moodle. The files are in pdf format, and you must have

Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to download and view the readings.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attendance and Active Class Participation. 20%

Students must attend and actively participate in the weekly discussions. The participation will be assessed

based on the demonstration that the student completes the assigned readings, the degree of verbal

articulation and interpretation of the readings, and general classroom engagement during the weekly

meetings.

2. Class Quizzes and Short In-Class Concept Essays 30%

This s a student participatory class. Every student must be prepared to take quiz every week based on the

assigned readings, lectures, and class discussions. The goal is to keep students focused on the weekly

topics and to help students improve the learning and retention of the course materials. In order to be

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successful in these exercises, students are required to read the weekly course materials before coming to

class and to pay attention during lectures, presentations, and discussions.

3. Lead Presentation. 10%

Each student will serve as lead discussant at least once during the semester to present the major ideas and

debates in the weekly assigned readings. Students will sign up for one of the weekly topics during the first

week of class. Otherwise, the instructor will randomly assign students to the weekly schedule. The lead

discussant must prepare handout for the whole class and use audiovisual equipment when making

presentation. The presentation (oral and handout) will be assessed based on organization, clarity,

accuracy, and professionalism.

4. America I Am Exhibition Project. 10%. at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for American Art and Culture

this week write a five-page paper on this question: To What Extent is the Concept of “Diaspora”

Relevant to the African American Experience in the U.S.? (Use materials from the exhibition to

illustrate your argument). Due October 1.

5. FINAL PAPER 30%

Each student will write a fifteen-page publishable review essay on a topic that focuses on diaspora and/or

transnationalism concept(s). The goal is for the student to demonstrate mastery of the evolution of ideas

on the selected topic or question. Hence, this must be an interpretative essay. An abstract (200-300 words)

that includes the title and purpose of the proposed paper must be submitted for the review and approval of

the instructor not later than October 1.

Other Matters:

The success of this course ultimately depends on both the students' and the instructor's efforts. Your

understanding of the materials and your participation in class discussions are very important. You will

receive constructive criticism of your work from the instructor. Take those criticisms as a way of

improving your understanding of the course content, writing, and/or diligence. Always ask questions

when you do not understand the readings and lectures. Make efforts to see the instructor during office

hours or by appointment.

No student is allowed to be more than 10 minutes late to class. No student is allowed to leave class until

the session ends at 7:45pm unless instructor dismisses the class early.

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Plagiarism is the act of taking someone else's ideas or/and

writings (including internet materials), and passing them off as your own. The penalty may include

scoring an F in the affected paper or in the whole course, or/and being subjected to other University

disciplinary actions. If you are in doubt regarding what plagiarism is all about, consult the instructor

immediately. One mojo for plagiarism is to correctly cite the sources of all the materials that you use in

your paper, including quotations and paraphrases. You should note that most cases of plagiarism occur

because students are in a hurry to meet the deadline after neglecting the assignment until the last

"minute". To avoid being haunted by the ghost of plagiarism, plan ahead, give yourself ample time to

complete your assignments, and consult with the instructor if you have questions.

The use of cell phone or any other electronic messaging is prohibited during class time.

REQUESTS FOR INCOMPLETE AND LATE PAPERS/ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE GRANTED

BY THE INSTRUCTOR EXCEPT IN CASES OF DOCUMENTED EMERGENCIES.

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SCHEDULE OF LECTURES

Week 1

August 20

I. INTRODUCTION

Course Information and Review of the Syllabus, Expectations, etc.

WEEK 2

August 27

CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS OF “DIASPORA” AND “TRANSNATIONALISM”

REQUIRED

1. Lisa Anteby-Yemini & William Berthomière, “Diaspora: A Look Back on a Concept,”

2. Roger Waldinger and David Fitzgerald, “Transnationalism in Question,” AJS Volume 109 Number 5

(March 2004): 1177–95.

GRADUATE PRESENTATION

Luis Eduardo Guarnizo and Michael Peter Smith, “The Locations of Transnationalism”. In M. P. Smith

and A. E. Guarnizo, eds., Transnationalism From Below. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers (1998),

pp. 3-31.

Question: Discuss the 1) characteristics of (a) Diaspora and (b) Transnationalism; and 2) the similarities

and differences between the two.

WEEK 3

September 3

Labor Day – University Closed

NO CLASS

WEEK 4

September 10

CONCEPTUALIZING THE MODERN AFRICAN DIASPORA: CAPITALISM, SLAVERY,

COLONIALISM, AND POSTCOLONIALITY

REQUIRED

Tiffany R. Patterson and Robin Kelley, "Unfinished Migrations: Reflections on the African Diaspora and

the Making of the Modern World," African Studies Review 43(1): 2000: 11-68.

GRADUATE PRESENTATION

Eric Williams, Capitalism and Slavery (1994 [1944]). Introduction, Chapters 1 and 13.

Question: Discuss the impacts of capitalism, slavery, and colonialism on the creation of the modern

African Diaspora.

Week 5

September 17

CITIZENSHIP AND IDENTITY: DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS, HYBRIDITY,

MULTICULTURALISM, POST-RACIAL AND NOTHINGNESS

REQUIRED

1. M. Herskovits, “The Significance of Africanisms,” Myth of the Negro Past. 1-32.

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2. W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk.

GRADUATE PRESENTATION

1. Deborah A. Kapchan and Pauline Turner Strong (1999), “Theorizing the Hybrid,” The Journal of

American Folklore, Vol. 112, No. 445, Theorizing the Hybrid, pp. 239-253.

2. Douglas Hartmann and Joseph Gerteis, 2005 “Dealing with Diversity: Mapping Multiculturalism in

Sociological Terms,” Sociological Theory, Vol. 23, No. 2 (Jun., 2005), pp. 218-240.

Question: Use the concepts of Hybridity and Multiculturalism to analyze the meanings of DuBois’ Double

Consciousness and Herskovits’ Africanism .

Week 6

September 24

OFF-CAMPUS PROJECT

Visit the “America I Am" Exhibition at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and

Culture between September 18 and 30. For Office Hours: www.ganttcenter.org/ ($10.00 admission fees

with student ID) 551 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC.

Write a five-page paper on this question: To What Extent is the Concept of Diaspora Relevant to the

African American Experience in the U.S.? (Use materials from the exhibition to illustrate your argument).

Due October 1.

WEEK 7

October 1

RACE/RACIALIZATION/RACISM: THE CONCEPT AND ORIGIN OF A PROBLEM

REQUIRED

1. Edith Sanders, The Hamitic Hypothesis, Its Origins and Functions in Time Perspective JAH 10, 4

(1969), 521-532.

2. The American Anthropological Association (AAA)’s statement on “race”

http://www.aaanet.org/stmts/racepp.htm

GRADUATE PRESENTATION

1. James Sweet, “Iberian Origins of American Racist Thought,” The William and Mary Quarterly, Third

Series, Vol. 54, No. 1 (Jan., 1997), pp. 143-166.

2. John Hartigan, Jr., “Establishing the Fact of Whiteness,” American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol.

99, 3 (1997), 595-505.

Question: Argue for or against the idea that Racial Thoughts and the Construction of White/Black as

racial categories were products of the global economic exploitation of Africa-descended populations.

WEEK 8

October 8

STUDENT RECESS – NO CLASS

WEEK 9

October 15

POSTCOLONIALITY AND CULTURE IN AFRICA

REQUIRED:

1. Mabiala Justin-Robert Kenzo, What Is Postcolonialism and Why Does It Matter: An African

Perspective

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2. Akin Ogundiran, “Crises of Culture and Consciousness in the Postcolony: What is the Future for

Nigeria?” Keynote Address, CULTURE AND SOCIETY IN POST-COLONIAL NIGERIA:

CONFERENCE IN HONOR OF ULLI BEIER. November 28 – 30, 2011, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

In Press, Institute of African Studies Monograph Series, University of Ibadan.

Question: Discuss the possibilities and limitations of Ogundiran’s Pedagogy of Renewal as a solution to

the crisis of consciousness in postcolonial Africa and African Diaspora.

WEEK 10

October 22

SPECIAL EVENT

“All Politics is Local”: Perspectives on Community Engagement and Citizen Empowerment in

Africa and the African Diaspora: A Symposium in Honor of Professor Oladimeji Aborisade at 80

Student Union Bldg.

REQUIRED:

http://africana.uncc.edu/sites/africana.uncc.edu/files/media/Aborisade_at_80.pdf

WEEK 11

October 29

PAN-AFRICANISM AS A THEORY OF BLACK TRANSNATIONALISM

REQUIRED

1. St. Clair Drake, “Pan Africanism: What Is It?,” Africa Today, Vol. 6, No. 1, (1959), pp. 6-10.

2. PAN-AFRICAN THOUGHT AND PRACTICE

GRADUATE PRESENTATION:

Tunde Adeleke, “Black Americans and Africa: A Critique of the Pan-African and Identity Paradigms,”

The International Journal of African Historical Studies, 31, 3 (1998): 505-536.

Question: What are the political goals and accomplishments of Pan-Africanism?

WEEK 12

November 5

RASTAFARIANISM AS A THEORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF LIBERATION

REQUIRED

Anthony Bogues, “Rastafari,” in Black Heretics, Black Prophets: Radical Political Intellectuals. NY:

Routledge.

GRADUATE PRESENTATION

1. G. L. Watson, "Patterns of Black Protest in Jamaica: The Case of the Ras-Tafarians," Journal of Black

Studies 4, 3 (1974: 329-343.

2. G. E. Simpson, "Religion and Justice: Some Reflections on the Rastafari Movement," Phylon 46, 4:

286-291.

Question: Discuss the contributions of Rastafarianism to the critique of the post-colonial nation state,

capitalism, and the denial of African humanity.

WEEK 13

November 12

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HIP HOP AND RAP AS A POST-MODERN POLITICAL THEORY?: BLACK NATIONALISM,

CONSCIOUSNESS, AND CONSUMERISM

REQUIRED

1. Derrick P. Alridge, “From Civil Rights to Hip Hop: Toward a Nexus of Ideas,” The Journal of African

American History, Vol. 90, No. 3, The History of Hip Hop (Summer, 2005), pp. 226-252.

2. Errol A. Henderson, “Black Nationalism and Rap Music,” Journal of Black Studies, 26, 3 (1996): 308-

339.

Question: What are the strengths and limitations of Hip Hop and Rap as a discourse for social change

and social justice?

WEEK 14

November 19

GLOBALIZATION AND NEW AFRICAN/CARIBBEAN MIGRATIONS

REQUIRED

1. P. T. Zeleza, “Contemporary African Migrations in a Global Context,” African Issues 30, 1 (2002): 9-

14.

2. P. T. Zeleza, “In Defense of the New Diasporas and Brain Mobility,” Barack Obama and Africa

Diasporas, edited by P. T. Zeleza (Ohio: Ohio University Press, 2009).

3. Christine Ho, “Caribbean Transnationalism as a Gendered Process,” Latin American Perspectives 26, 5

(1999): 34-54.

Question: Identity and discuss the characteristics of post-colonial African and Caribeean migrations.

WEEK 15

November 26

NEO-GLOBAL CAPITALISM, NEO-PANAFRICANISM, TRANSNATIONAL NETWORKS

AND DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES

REQUIRED

Giles Mohan and A. B. Zack-Williams, “Globalization from below: Conceptualizing the Role of the

African Diasporas in Africa's Development,” Review of African Political Economy, Vol. 29, No. 92,

Africa, the African Diaspora and Development (Jun., 2002), pp. 211-236.

GRADUATE PRESENTATION:

James Johnson, Jr., et al., "Economic Globalization and the Future of Black America," Journal of Black

Studies, Volume 38 Number 6 (2008) 883-899.

Paul G. Adogamhe, PAN-AFRICANISM Revisited: Vision and Reality of African Unity and

Development

Question: Critically comment on the relevance of Pan-Africanism framework for economic development

of the African World especially in the face of neo-global capitalism new transnational networks.

WEEK 16

DECEMBER 3

SUM-UP AND REVIEW OF THE CLASS

WEEK 17

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DECEMBER 7

FINAL PAPER IS DUE IN INSTRUCTOR’S OFFICE BY 12:00 PM.