Advocates using African literature for general-education students, especially fiction with universalist themes and exploration of spiritual issues which students find engaging. Provides a four-day approach to studying Bessie Head's novel, "When Rain Clouds Gather." Presents questions and assignments. (PA)

Background readings and classroom materials dealing with Ghana for use with secondary and college students are provided in this publication. The major historical, social, geographical, and political aspects which have contributed to the present day development of Ghana are examined. The background readings for teachers which comprise section one…

Suggests ways in which teachers of African area studies on the college level can incorporate films on Africa into the curriculum. Methods include showing longer films outside regular classroom hours, introducing students to perspectives other than those of the teacher, and discussing film-related issues to draw out and reinforce understandings and…

Focuses on culture examined in the unique context of South Africa. Makes visible both conceptual difficulties in its formulation and also difficulties with respect to its interpretation into educational practice. Also explores a critique of ethnomathematics using the South African situation and conceptual tools of a critical mathematics education.…

This paper asks what role "play" plays in writing and how it can help a writer, whatever dread, boredom, skill, or ethnicity he/she brings to writing. Some of the ideas in the paper come from Africa, courtesy of Robert Farris Thompson. In his "philosophy of discourse" discussed in the paper, Thompson speaks of the "big…

The text of a classroom lesson on the distribution and use of the Portuguese language in African countries, written in Portuguese and containing an explanation of and practice in using the definite article with African place names, is presented. The lesson is accompanied by vocabulary notes in the margin, a list of questions on the text, and a mpa…

A description is given of an in-service course or workshop on the subject of the mathematics developed by the peoples of Africa and other cultures in the course of their daily lives. (MP)

Six articles in this feature section emphasize the value of African dance in all levels of education. The articles address aspects of African dance ranging from its historical and philosophical underpinnings to applications from the elementary to the college level. (SM)

Provides background on the political and social roots of the racist policy of apartheid. Describes the violence and the social and economic injustices of the system. Concludes that the South African problem must be viewed as a part of the continuing struggle over the disproportionate distribution of wealth. (JDH)

The teacher's guide to a series of seven videotape recordings based on television programs of three African countries, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Ivory Coast, is for use in intermediate to advanced college level French courses. Its objectives are to: improve students' vocabulary, listening comprehension, and speaking skills; acquaint students with…

The published and unpublished works of Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan serve as the basis for this reference guide to African history and culture. The guide is intended for use by curriculum developers and high school and college level classroom teachers as they develop and implement courses on African studies and/or units to be incorporated into existing…

Presents the results of an interview which asked 15 South Africans what United States teachers should be teaching about South Africa. Correlates the eight major points made by the South Africans with the contents of the theme articles in this issue of SOCIAL EDUCATION. Includes a list of curriculum materials which covers the issues teachers should…

Presents a classroom simulation that takes a geographic approach to teaching about HIV and AIDS in Africa. Asserts that the biological simulation illustrates disease transmission through a spatial dimension. Includes sample profile cards, a map, and two tables illustrating the spread of the AIDS virus. (CFR)

Asserts that students learn more rapidly and retain knowledge longer when they take an active role in the learning process. Describes a college sociology course in which students regularly contribute to a "class journal" using electronic mail. Discusses problems and pitfalls of using computers for classroom discussion. (CFR)

Traditionally, an important function of folktales in West Africa has been to educate, as the older generation imparts knowledge to younger members of the family, tribe, societal unit, or ethnic group both informally in everyday life and more formally within the context of the bush schools. This anthology of West African folk literature offers more…