Representations of Africa: Myth and Reality

Images of untouched landscapes filled with wild animals, "tribal violence" and endemic disease often dominate popular portrayals of Africa. But to what extent do these everyday myths and stereotypes reflect the reality Africans have historically faced? This course will require students to consider the representation of Africa and Africans in a range of cultural texts from feature films, television documentaries, and artworks to novels, travel writing, and newspapers. By reading the work of scholars across the disciplines, students will be introduced to different perspectives on the ways African societies have been represented in popular discourse. Students will not only gain an understanding of the changing historical image of Africa from beyond the continent's borders, but also pay particular attention to the important role Africans themselves have played in shaping and combating these notions.