Performing Africa

Course engages storytelling, photography, movement as creative strategies with which to probe the idea of Africa. We'll explore historical and contemporary discourses that have shaped understandings of Africa in the West; examine the social and imaginative worlds constructed by African artists; study performative pieces that explore the multifaceted realities of what it means to be African today. Course asks students to imagine themselves as creators and curators, rather than merely consumers or critics, of African images. We'll engage the possibilities and limits of several performance strategies in appreciating a diverse continent with such a contested global image. Performance experience not required.