FRS 002CC — Sec. 001 — (2 unit) — CRN 76159 — W 12:10-1:30 pm — Alder Hall Lounge
Performance and Culture in the African Diaspora

Instructor: Moradewun Adejunmobi, Department of African-American and African Studies, College of Letters and Science

Description: The Performance and Culture in the African Diaspora Freshman Seminar is intended for students interested in the cultural contributions of people living in the African Diaspora (the rich cultural evolution of peoples of African origin living in the Caribbean, South America, North America, and Europe). Weekly faculty lectures introduce students to the music, dance, and theater of the African Diaspora; These presentations highlight historical, political, and social relationships, and provide relevant background information (faculty lectures will be coordinated by Linda Alexander and John Ortiz-Hutson).

Format: The course grade will be based on lecture and performance attendance, a 4-5 page written assignment, and class participation (an integral component of this learning experience). There are no texts for the class; however there will be occasional on-line reading assignments and/or hand-outs given prior to each lecture or performance. No more than one (1) missed lecture (including the required pre-performance lectures) and no more than one (1) missed Mondavi Center performance will be allowed. Choosing one of the 4 performances you will see this quarter please comment on its historical, political, or social relevance as it pertains to the African Diaspora. Use at least one library reference for your 4-5-page paper and support your written assignment with performance observations, class notes, on-line readings, and /or class discussions. Please use the MLA documentation style and include a bibliography page. Grading: Students will be graded based on their class and performance participation – their frequency and ability to discuss the lectures and performances (25%), the quality of their oral presentations (25%), and the quality of one 5-page response paper (50%). Papers are due by 5:00 PM, Mar. 23.

Performance schedule: (All performances take place in the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts).

About the Instructor: Dr. Moradewun Adejunmobi is Associate Professor of African American and African Studies and French. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Ibada in West Africa in African Literature and French. Her fields of interest include: Literature, Contemporary African Culture, the African Diaspora, Francophone Studies and Sociolinguistics. Recently Dr. Adejunmobi traveled to Ghana in West Africa with a group of UCD students to teach a 4-week 8 unit course entitled, Culture and Development in an African Nation – she will be repeating this academic opportunity in the summer of 2005.