MSU Tuesday Bulletin, 11/29/05

THE TUESDAY BULLETIN

Issue No. 11 Fall 2005
November 29, 2005

Weekly News from the AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 100 INTERNATIONAL CENTER

EAST LANSING MI 48824-1035

For back issues, see archive <http://africa.msu.edu>

BULLETIN CONTENTS

EVENTS

MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

EVENTS

November 29, Wednesday

"Hausa Table," every Wednesday brown bag luncheon with Dr. Ibro Chekaraou. Hausa-phones in the Lansing/East Lansing area meet to practice their Hausa in order to maintain or improve their oral skills in the language, 12:00 noon, Room 201 International Center.

December 1, Thursday

"Sport as a Tool for Development, Peace and Reconciliation," African Studies Center Brown Bag talk with Pelle Kvalsund, Consultant, Sport and Development, 12:00 noon, Room 201 International Center.

December 2, Friday

"Future Trends in International Development and Health," CASID/WID Friday Forum with Teresa Bernardo, Veterinary Medicine (MSU), 12:00 noon, Room 201, International Center.

December 2, Friday

"Commission for Africa Report," roundtable discussion, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Room 116-H Erickson Hall. Sponsored by the Africa Education Research Group (AERG). For more information, contact Hilda Omae at omaehild@msu.edu.

December 8, Thursday

Special Brown Bag talk with Professor David Wiley, Sociology and Director of the African Studies Center (MSU), 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., Room 201 International Center, light refreshments will be available.

December 9, Friday

"Undue Inducement and Coercion in Medical Research in Africa: How Relevant is the right to withdraw?" Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences seminar with Professor Paul Ndebele, Visiting faculty (Center for Ethics & Humanities in the Life Sciences, MSU), 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Room A131 East Fee Hall. Refreshments will be served.ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ ;ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ&Ecir c;

MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS

African Studies Center Application for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) 2006-07

The African Studies Center at MSU is now accepting on-line applications for FLAS fellowships for academic year 2006-07 and for the 2006 Summer Cooperative African Language Institute (SCALI). The FLAS fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Title VI program for the study of African languages and non-language courses on Africa.

Up to date information and on-line application forms are available at: http://africa.msu.edu/FLAS/FLAS.htm. Candidates must have completed application procedures by February 17, 2006. Related application materials are to be mailed to the Assistant Director of the African Studies Center, 100 International Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1035; Phone: (517) 353-1700; Fax: (517) 432-1209; e-mail:
fisseha@msu.edu.

In accordance with the Title VI centers' agreement of rotating summer course offerings under SCALI, African languages study in summer 2006 will be hosted by Indiana University-Bloomington. For more information visit: http://www.indiana.edu/afrist/scali1.html.

Books for Africa - MSU Student Organization

The Books for Africa Student Organization at MSU, in partnership with Better World Books, will be accepting donations to ship books to Africa at the end of each semester. New and used books may be dropped off in the drop boxes, which will be located in the lobby of each dorm on campus or the African Studies Center, Room 100, International Center. Books will be accepted during the week of November 21, 2005 through December 14, 2005.

The objective of the Books for Africa Student Organization, founded at George Washington University, is to send any kind of used and/or new books (except magazines) to African Communities in order to help them reduce costs of building community libraries and educational centers in their towns. For more information, contact Laura at sologure@msu.edu.

2006 Course Announcement

ANP 491: From Magic and Witchcraft to World

Religion: An Introduction to Islam in AfricaÊ

Prof. Mara Leichtman, Friday 9:10 am - 12:00pm ; Room 311, Berkey Hall - This course aims to provide an overview of "African" Islam through the work of Muslim and non-Muslim scholars from various disciplines. The course begins with an overview of the fundamentals of Islam before turning to the diverse accounts of the historical spread of Islam to Africa, the religious implications of the African slave trade and European colonialism, stereotypes of African Muslims, Islamic discourse on education, preaching, poetry and novels, and Islamic law and politics in African countries. Themes of religious conversion in furthering trade networks, the relationship between Islam and human rights, and African Muslim women's struggles for equality will also be explored. The class will visit the Islamic Center of East Lansing, view films, and hear alternative accounts of Islam in Africa from guest speakers. Seminar participants will post weekly reactions to readings and activities to a listserve and create, through research, their own accounts of African Islamic worlds. For information on the course, contact Professor Leitchman at her e-mail: leichtm1@msu.edu; or call 432-7048.

IAH 231C: World Englishes

Prof. Sarah Mkhonza, Mon./Wed., 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Room 144B Brody Hall - World Englishes focuses on the role of English in the global context; the different varieties of English and how they are used in the world. The English language is used in many countries around the world. There is no country that can claim the language as its own. Different countries use it for different reasons. The rise in globalization has resulted in wider networks and interaction that enable people to use the language to meet the communication needs of their situations.Ê

Students will explore issues in World Englishes and study texts from different contexts around the world. Discussions will enable students to understand contexts such as in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, India, Japan, Poland, Mongolia, Russia, Puerto Rico and many other countries where the English language is used. The"world users" of English will be brought to the classroom through recordings and literary pieces of different types. For more information about this course, contact Professor Sarah Mkhonza at
mkhonzas@msu.edu.

Seminar in African History: Leisure and Popular Culture

Prof. Peter Alegi, T-Th 3:00-4:20 pm, Berkey Hall, Room 119A - Using the prism of leisure and popular culture, this course explores the history of Africa from the dawn of the colonial period to the present. It combines general analysis with in-depth case studies. We will examine pre-colonial indigenous leisure; the arrival of modern western cultural forms and their place in colonial societies; the role of drink, music, dance, fashion, sport, and mass media in the political economy of colonialism; rural and urban contexts; tradition and modernity; and the impact of industrialization, independence, and globalization.

For more information on these two courses, contact Peter Alegi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of History, Michigan State University, 301 Morrill Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824; Phone: 432-8222 ext. 129.

MSU Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

The Afrobarometer Project in the Department of Political Science, Michigan State University seeks a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to analyze data and publish research reports on public opinion in African countries. This is a one-year, renewable Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, beginning August 16, 2006. Required qualifications are a Ph.D in political science or related field, proven skills with advanced statistics, and excellent written communication in English. Fieldwork experience in Africa and fluency in French or Portuguese are preferred. The successful candidate will design and implement a program of research and publication using public opinion data from the Afrobarometer. For a full position description see www.afrobarometer.org; or visit the political science

website: www.socialscience.msu.edu/degree/political_
science; or for the African Studies Center site, see
www.africa.msu.edu.

To apply please submit hard copies of (a) a letter summarizing your research experience and interest in the position (b) a curriculum vitae ) a brief professional writing sample and (d) the names and contact information (including telephone numbers) for three potential referees (do not request letters yourself). Please mail applications to Professor Michael Bratton, Director (MSU) Afrobarometer, Department of Political Science, 323 South Kedzie Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48823. DO NOT SUBMIT APPLICATIONS VIA E-MAIL. The
application deadline is December 15, 2005.

MSU Press - Open Position for an NEAS Editor

The MSU African Studies Center, in partnership with the Michigan State University Press, invites scholars with a Ph.D. and an academic focus on Northeast African studies and with experience in academic publishing to consider applying for the position of Editor of Northeast African Studies. A job description can be requested from africa@msu.edu. This peer- reviewed professional journal disseminates original research and scholarly reviews that integrate all academic fields of study of the Horn of Africa, including such areas as history, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, public policy, foreign relations, cultural studies, literature, and the arts. The three-year initial term with possibilities for renewal begins as early as March 1, 2006. To apply, send a letter of application stating your interest in the journal, a resume, and the addresses of three referees to: Prof. David Wiley, Director, African Studies Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 and to Fredric C. Bohm, Director; Michigan State University Press; 1405 S. Harrison Rd., Ste. 25; East Lansing, MI 48823-5245. Application deadline is December 31, 2005. If you have questions about this position please email or phone: 1) wiley@msu.edu ; (517) 353-1700 or 2) bohm@msu.edu; (517) 355-9543 ext. 117.

MSU Study Abroad to South Africa, Summer 2006

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad, "Cultural Heritage of the New South Africa," study abroad program will run for 4 weeks (mid-May to mid-June) in three primary locations in South Africa, Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg/Pretoria. Two side trips will be to Umtata (home of Nelson Mandela and sit of the Mandela Museum) and to Hluhluwe (to visit Hluhluwe National Park, Africa's oldest game reserve). Detailed information about the application procedures and acceptance process can be found at
http://studyabroad.msu.edu. Applications are due March 1, 2006 for the 2006 summer program. To learn general information or get details about the syllabi of courses offered, e-mail Marsha MacDowell, Professor and Curator, MSU Museum at: macdowel@msu.edu; or C. Kurt Dewhurst, Professor and Director, MSU Museum at: dewhurs1@msu.edu, to set up an appointment.

2006 Exhibitions at the MSU Museum

January 22 -June 11, 2006 - "Weavings of War: Fabrics of Memory"is a land-mark exhibition that features textiles made in a variety of techniques and for different purposes by artists mostly women who have incorporated pictorial imagery in their work to communicate their personal and collective experiences with war.

February 5 - June 30, 2006 - The nationally-touring

exhibition

"Siyazama: Traditional Arts, Education, and AIDS in South Africa." This exhibition will provide the mid-Michigan community with an opportunity to learn, reflect on, and be motivated by the issues and information that are presented in the exhibition. For more information about these upcoming exhibitions, please contact Marsha MacDowell at: macdowel@msu.edu.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

University of Georgia 2006 Group Projects Abroad

The Intensive Advanced Swahili Group Project Abroad (Swahili GPA) for the summer of 2006 will be held in Tanzania from June 14 to August 6, 2006. Participants must be US citizens, or permanent residents and be junior/senior/graduate students in an institution of higher education and must have completed at least 3 semesters or the equivalent of Kiswahili.Ê

This year, the in-country (Tanzania) director is Dr. Deogratias Ngonyani, Michigan State University. However, the University of Georgia, African Studies Institute, will remain the institution of record for the 2006 GPA program. All communication and questions about the program should be directed to Dr. Lioba Moshi at gpa@uga.edu. Application forms can be obtained from the African Studies Institute office at UGA, 319 Holmes/Hunter Bldg., Athens, GA 30602 or its website http://www.uga.edu/afrstu (on-line submission is encouraged: go to the site, select study abroad, then Tanzania, then GPA). Students should apply not later than January 31, 2006.

Discover Africa with Operation Crossroads

Operation Crossroads Africa is a U.S.-based, private voluntary organization that sponsors cross-cultural exchanges and small-scale development projects in Africa.

For seven weeks each summer, teams of eight to ten participants, a Crossroads leader, and about an equal number of local volunteers join with a community on a project that involves local people and participants working together.Ê

In 2006, Crossroads will sponsor projects in several African countries. They extend an invitation to those who wish to become a part of the Crossroads tradition as a participant or Crossroads leader. To get an application for participation during the Summer of 2006, contact: Operation Crossroads Africa, Post Office Box 5570, New York, New York 10027; Phone: (212) 289- 1949; Fax: (212) 289-2526; Website:
http://www.OperationCrossroadsAfrica.org; or e-mail: oca@igc.org.

Tuesday Bulletin, Fall No. 11

Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.