This publication explores issues related to Africa. It examines the U.S. response to the Barbary pirate states (Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli) in the early 19th century; the current AIDS crisis in Africa; and 14th century Mali and other Islamic lands through the eyes of Ibn Battuta, who traveled throughout the Muslim world. Each article provides student activities for writing and discussion. The Postscript section contains one lesson from "America Responds to Terrorism," a frequently updated feature of the Constitutional Rights Foundation's Web site. (BT)