African Philosophies of Science, Technology, and Innovation

3-0-9 units · Graduate

Team-taught subject exploring the paradox of a continent with abundant natural and human resources that continues to struggle with widespread poverty. Suggests that Africa's problem is a mindset rooted in legacies of slavery and colonialism and that Africa can only add value to its natural resources if it adds value to its people first. Posits the role of curriculum design in mindset re-engineering, training critical thinker-doers who run toward, not away from, problems to solve them. Constitutes a return to an African educational philosophy of learning science, technology, and innovation through doing. Weekly topics ¿ with assigned readings, lectures, and assignments ¿ focus on a range of makers, making, and makerspaces. Each reading underpins designing, preparing, or making a product or service so students translate coursework into practice.