MSU Tuesday Bulletin, 12/05/06

The next bulletin will commence on January 9 or 16, 2007. Have a Joyous and Happy Holiday Season

THE TUESDAY BULLETIN

Issue No. 14 Fall 2006
December 5, 2006

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 <http://africa.msu.edu/>;>

BULLETIN CONTENTS

EVENTS

MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFERENCES
JOBS

EVENTS

December 1 - December 15th

"Books for Africa" book drive. New and Used textbooks, novels, and children's books are collected and shipped to Africa. Collection boxes are located at: SBS, the African Studies Center, International Center Book Store, College of Education and Mason/Abbott Lobby. Visit http://www.msu.edu/b4africa; or e-mail: b4africa@msu.edu to learn more about the MSU Books for Africa student organization.

December 5, Tuesday

"The District Six Museum and the Politics of Public History in South Africa," Special Brown Bag talk with Ciraj Rassool, Faculty (History, Univ. of the Western Cape, South Africa), 12:00 noon, Room 201 International Center.

December 5, Tuesday

Study Abroad program in Senegal, May 11-June 23, 2007, Informational meeting with Professors Mara Leichtman and Ken Harrow, 6:00 p.m., Room 213 Morrill Hall. (See MSU Announcements for further details).

December 7, Thursday

"Slavery, Ethnicity, Identity, and the Development of Popular Culture in Contemporary Sudan," African Studies Center Brown Bag talk with Ahmad Sikainga, Faculty (History, Ohio State University), 12:00 noon, Room 201 International Center.

December 8, Friday

"Human Rights and Social Conditions in Senegal: The Problems of Talibe and of Clandestine Emigration," CASID/WID forum with Kenneth Harrow, Faculty (English Dept., MSU), 12:00 noon, Room 201 International Center.

December 12, Tuesday

"Livestock, Manure and Nutrient Management: An International Perspective on Sustainability and Environmental Impact," talk by Dr. Salvador Fernandez-Rivera (Livestock management in Ethiopia), 10:30 a.m., Room 1310 Anthony Hall. Sponsored by the Animal Science Department.

MSU ANNOUNCEMENTS

African Studies Center Application for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) for 2007-08 AY

The African Studies Center at MSU is now accepting on-line applications for FLAS fellowships for academic year 2007-08 and for the 2007 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 15, 2007. 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 2007 will be hosted by the University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign. For details, please visit:
http://www.afrst.uiuc.edu/SCALI07.htm for details..

Faculty Announcement

Michael J. Boivin, Ph.D, MPH, participated in the Ugandan Pediatric HIV Disability Study. He spent several weeks in Rakai, Uganda in July, 2006 collaborating with Dr. Heena Brahmbhadt on a a study of neurodevelopmental disability in HIV infected children in the Rakai district of Uganda. Dr. Boivin, who started at MSU this past May, is Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry in the International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (INPEP) under the direction of Dr. Gretchen Birbeck. He is also a Core Faculty member in the African Studies Center. For detailed information about the study, e-mail Dr. Boivin at:
michael.Boivin@ht.msu.edu.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Wharton Center

Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform at the Wharton Center on February 18, 2007. The African Studies Center has decided to acquire tickets for the event. We will collect the money first (CASH only, no checks, no credit cards), then we will purchase the tickets from the Wharton Center. Tickets will cost $17.00 (includes a $2.00 restoration fee charged by the Wharton center). All monies must be in by December 15, 2006 in order to get prime seating. Please see Lisa in the African Studies Center, Room 100 International Center. If questions, call 353-1700.

Spring Course Announcements

PHL351 - African Philosophy

M/W, 8:30-9:50 (room to be announced)
Instructor: John Otieno Ouko

Topics:
Is there an African Philosophy?
African debates about knowledge and reality The role of ethics in African philosophy The "rationality" debate
African philosophy's ties to African-American and feminist thought
For more information, call the Department of Philosophy at 355-4490; or e-mail: oukojohn@msu.edu.

RD876, International Rural Development (on web) 3 credit graduate course on the MSU ANGEL program. This course is available every semester. It simulates a small group of students sitting around a table with the professor, who has years of hands-on experience actually designing and implementing many development programs and projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. For more information about this graduate seminar, see the preview at: https://angel.msu.edu <https://angel.msu.edu/> or e- mail Professor George Axinn at: axinn@msu.edu.

NUR402, International Health (on web); 3 credits

This course will provide a general understanding of factors/dynamics that affect the health of human populations and efforts to improve it. The course will address: 1) the cultural context of health and illness; 2) international health and population status, and 3) the role of international agencies in policy setting and program development. The course is open to graduate and undergraduate students, and nursing and non- nursing majors. For additional information, please contact the instructor: Professor Connie Currier, (517) 432-1162; e-mail: currier3@msu.edu.

IAH 251A- Topics in Area Studies and Multicultural Civilizations: Focus on Southern Africa

This two-credit course will meet twice a week during the first half of spring semester; 2007: January 8-February 28, 2007. Mon. 6:30 p.m. - 7:20 p.m., Wed. 6:30 p.m. - 8:50 p.m., Room 110 Berkey Hall. The course will count toward the second IAH requirement. Students who have already completed the second IAH requirement can register for the course as an elective. This course investigates contemporary issues in the southern Africa region through the media of film, literature and lecture. It will make use of MSU professors with Southern African expertise and visitors from Southern Africa. Please direct questions to instructors John Metzler or David Wiley at 353-1700.

MSU Study Abroad Program in South Africa

Expressive Arts, Cultural Heritage, and Museum Studies in South Africa is the title of this program beginning May 28 - June 18, 2007. South Africa has a history of expressive culture dating from some of the world's first examples of rock art to today's art that reflects the complexities of a multi-cultural society undergoing tremendous transformations. Before the end of apartheid and the establishment of a new government in 1994, much of the nation's art, music, history, and culture were little known to the rest of the world. Through this program, participants will not only have an opportunity to be introduced directly to the historical forms of cultural heritage unique to this region, but also to critically assess the social, racial, religious, political, and cultural factors that have impacted both these expressions and the institutions charged with preserving and presenting culture. The program will run for four weeks in three primary locations in South Africa: Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg/Pretoria. More details about the program may be found at:
http://studyabroad.msu.edu/programs/safricaculher.html. Questions may be directed to Marsha MacDowell at macdowel@msu.edu; tel: (517) 355-6511; or C. Kurt Dewhurst at dewhurs1@msu.edu; tel: (517) 355-2370. The application deadline is March 1, 2007.

Summer 2007 MSU Study Abroad in Dakar, Senegal

Culture, Society and Islam in Senegal is the title of this program beginning May 11-June 23, 2007. Senegal is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Africa. A stable democracy, friendly people, and a rich cultural, intellectual, literary, cinematic, artistic and musical heritage make this one of the most accessible of African nations and the cultural center of West Africa. Courses will satisfy IAH, ISS, and Anthropology requirements, and will have a special emphasis on Senegalese culture, society and religion. In addition to topics dealing with history, art, music, cinema, and literature, students will learn about the city of Dakar and about "Senegalese" Islam through work in various disciplines and visits to mosques and religious centers.

More details about this program are at:
http://studyabroad.msu.edu/programs/senegalculture.h tml. Direct inquiries about the program to: Professor Ken Harrow, Dept. of English, (517) 353-7243; e-mail: harrow@msu.edu; or Professor Mara Leichtman, Dept. of Anthropology, (517) 432-7048; e-mail: mara.leichtman@ssc.msu.edu. Application deadline is March 1, 2007. There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, 6:00 p.m., in room 213 Morrill Hall.

CONFERENCES

Int'l Conference on Ethiopian Development Studies August 3-5, 2007, Western Michigan University

The WMU Center for African Development Policy Research (CADPR) announces the 4th International Conference on Ethiopian Development Studies (ICEDS) on the theme: "The Challenges of Peace and Development in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa."

The Symposium is intended for academics, policy makers, investors and donors, and others interested in contemporary issues in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Each contributor is invited to submit the participation form, found at: http://homepages.wmich.edu/asefa/ (click on the 4th ICEDS Conference Announcement) and a one-page typed double-spaced copy of the proposal. Abstracts that do not include a completed "Participation Form" will be regarded as incomplete and will not be accepted.

Proposals on the following are invited: 1) Agriculture, Food Security, and Rural Development; 2) Education for Sustainable Development; 3) Regional Integration for Development; 4) Building Democratic Institutions of governance and civil society; 5) Health and HIV/AIDS Issues; 6) Private Sector, Entrepreneurship and Markets; 7) Science and Technology for Development; 8) US Policy on Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa; 9) Managing Ethnic, Clan, and Religious conflicts; 10) Peace building and Conflict Resolution; 11) Women and Development; 12) The Role of the Diaspora in Development; and 13) An open forum for political parties. Please send all abstracts or proposals by April 1, 2007 to: 4th International Conference on Ethiopian Development Studies (4th ICEDS), Attn: Professor Sisay Asefa, Center for African Development Policy Research (CADPR), Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008, USA; Fax: (616) 387- 0630 e-mail: SISAY.ASEFA@WMICH.EDU.

JOBS

Three positions at Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan's Center for Afroamerican and African Studies is seeking to fill three positions in African studies, pending approval. Rank is open. Specialists in the fields of history, literature (Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone), religion, philosophy, creative writing, sociology, music, ethnomusicology, linguistics, and psychology, and working on all regions of sub-Saharan Africa are welcome to apply, although there is particular interest in western and southern Africa. ABD candidates must have substantial portions of their dissertations available for reading and expect the doctorate by September 1, 2007. To apply, please send a letter of application, c.v., research statement, teaching statement, writing samples, evidence of teaching excellence, and the names of three or more suggested references (or a placement dossier) to Kevin Gaines, Director and Chair, Search Committee, The Center for Afroamerican and African Studies, University of Michigan, 4700 Haven Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1045. Deadline for receipt of application materials is January 7, 2007. The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is supportive of the needs of dual career couples. All applications will be acknowledged.

Asst. Professor - (Islam in Africa) Univ. of Florida

The Center for African Studies at the University of Florida invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in the field of Islam and Muslim Societies in sub-Saharan Africa, to begin August 2007. The committee is interested in candidates with a research focus in fields as Muslim thought, religious practice, Islamic history, social dynamics, and/or political movements. This will be a joint appointment. Required qualifications include: a Ph.D. in a relevant field; significant research experience in sub-Saharan Africa; a strong record or substantial promise of teaching and scholarly publication on Islam in Africa. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively across disciplinary boundaries with faculty in various departments and colleges. Knowledge of an African language is also desirable. Please send a letter of application, CV, and supporting materials to: Chair, Islam in Africa Search Committee, Center for African Studies, University of Florida, 427 Grinter Hall, P.O. Box 115560, Gainesville, FL 32611-5560. Three letters of reference should also be sent directly. All materials should be received by January 12, 2007.

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