Syllabus
Revised: August 17, 2016
Course: AFS 240-601
Fall 2016
Instructor: Craig C. Brookins, Ph.D.
Course Title: African Civilizations
Class Hours: Moodle
Distance Education - Moodle
Office: 107A 1911 Bldg.
Phone: 919-515-7518
Office Hours: Online or by Appointment
Fax: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://ids.chass.ncsu.edu/afs/
Teaching Assistant: LaTonya Johnson ([email protected])
Course Description
This course provides an understanding of the African experience throughout history with
a general overview of centers of African Civilization from antiquity through contemporary times.
The major centers covered include ancient Kemet (Egypt), Nubia, Axum, Ghana, Mali, Songhai,
Kilwa, Sofola, Malinda, Monomotapa, etc. The course also provides introductory knowledge of
the fundamental cultural commonalties that African peoples share in the mist of linguistic and
other kinds of diversity. The course also examines the influence that African Civilization has
exerted on other cultures as well as the impact of cross cultural contacts on the African
experience. Upon completion, students will:
 have obtained introductory knowledge of the African experience in the areas of history,
culture, world view and their impact on world civilization
 have been introduced to important human personalities and events in African history
 understand the role of African history and its relevance to contemporary issues effecting
African people, particularly African Americans
 be better prepared to pursue further studies in these and related areas. The development of
collegiate level research and writing skills will be an important focus of course activities.
Moreover, AFS 240 is one of the core/foundational courses for the “Africana” Studies Major
and Minor at North Carolina State University
University Policies
Academic Integrity: Strict standards of academic honesty will be enforced according to the
University policy on academic integrity. I expect that student’s signature on any test or
assignment means that you have neither given nor received unauthorized aid. Consult the
following website for further details:
http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/ncsulegal/41.03-codeof.htm
ADA Statement: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable
disabilities. In order to take advantage of available ccommodations, students must register with
Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653.
For more information, see http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss/
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Revised: August 17, 2016
AFS 240 - African Civilizations Instructor: Kwesi Craig C. Brookins, Ph.D.
Fall 2016
For the policy, see:
Http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/courses_undergrad/REG02.20.1.php
Africana Studies Equity Statement: All persons, regardless of age, race, religion, gender,
physical disability or sexual orientation shall have equal opportunity without harassment in
Africana Studies courses and programs. Any harassment should be reported immediately to
either the classroom instructor or the program director.
End-of-Course Student Evaluations (ClassEval)
Schedule: Online class evaluations will be available for students to complete during the last 2
weeks of the summer term. Students will receive an email message directing them to a website
where they can login using their Unity ID and complete evaluations. All evaluations are
confidential; instructors will not know how any one student responded to any question, and
students will not know the ratings for any instructors.
Evaluation website: https://classeval.ncsu.edu/
Student help desk: [email protected]
More information about ClassEval: http://www.ncsu.edu/UPA/classeval/
Required Readings
1.
Africa: Volume 1: African History Before 1885 by Toyin Falola 2000, 468 pp,
paper, ISBN-10: 0-89089-768-9, ISBN-13: 978-0-89089-768-3 $35.00
2.
Africa: Volume 2: African Cultures and Societies Before 1885 by Toyin Falola
2000, 356 pp, paper, ISBN-10: 0-89089-769-7, ISBN-13: 978-0-89089-769-0 $33.00
3. Course Packet (references listed in course schedule and at end of syllabus) - on paper and
electronic reserve in the D.H. Hill Library. Online Reserve may be accessed on the web at:
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/reserves/
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Revised: August 17, 2016
AFS 240 - African Civilizations Instructor: Kwesi Craig C. Brookins, Ph.D.
Fall 2016
Course Schedule
Dates
th
August 17 – 23rd
August 17th – September 4th
September 5th – 25th
September 26th – October 16th
October 17th - November 6th
November 7th – December 4th
Topics1
Introduction/Overview &
Module 1: Nile Valley Civilizations
Module 2: Land of the Burnt Faces
Module 3: Rift Valley, East Africa, Monomotapa
Module 4: Atlantis
Module 5: Sudanic and Central African Civilizations
Requirements
 Major Written Assignments: There will be TWO major written/ assignments
(Bibliography Paper and Civilization Paper) to be submitted on the due dates identified
online (and below). Students will also be expected to respond (“react”) in writing (paper or
e-mail) to selected audio-video presentations. The assignments will help develop students’
research and writing abilities and require a synthesis of the readings, lectures, videos and
personal research. With the exception of these Thoughtful Reaction Papers, all written
assignments are expected to be word processed, double-spaced, and appropriate to the
required length. Late assignments will not be accepted without penalty.
 Quizzes: Six (6) on-line quizzes corresponding to the Introduction and Overview Module
and each of the Five Learning Modules will be administered during the semester. These
quizzes will primarily focus on the readings and multimedia associated with the
corresponding learning module be worth 5 points each. The question formats for the quizzes
will be true/false, multiple choice, short answer, matching, and short essay. These will be
due on midnight of Sunday each week.
Thoughtful Reaction Papers (DUE ON MIDNIGHT OF DATES INDICATED AT END
OF SYLLBUS)
Students will be required to submit five (5) thoughtful reaction papers correspond to
each of the learning modules. The submission must be a minimum of one typed, double-spaced
page although most modules will require you to write more. The focus of this paper will be
identified in the assignment online. In some cases, direct questions to be answered may be
provided by the instructor. These responses should be submitted via the online assignment link
entitled Thoughtful Reaction Paper – Module (?). The student will receive 5 points for each
proper and on-time submission and according to the following criteria (these criteria will also be
used for the external assignment):
Thoughtful Reaction Paper Criteria: (1) Briefly summarize what you judge to be at
least 2 key points from the lecture, readings and other multimedia materials, and (2)
Identify at least 2 topics (these can be the same as above) you judge to be the most
interesting/profound/new/etc and explain why you chose them.
1
Readings and other assignments for each module can be found online.
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AFS 240 - African Civilizations Instructor: Kwesi Craig C. Brookins, Ph.D.
Fall 2016
External Assignment – Thoughtful Reaction Paper (5 Points)
Please see end of syllabus for instructions
Biography Paper (10 Points)
"Students are required to research and write a report on one historical individual (NOT
CIVILIZATION) from the time periods covered by the course material. The individual or group
may include a subject(s) (non-American) of history (e.g., Osei Tutu, Imhotep) or a scholar or
historian (e.g., Cheikh Anta Diop, W.E.B. Dubois, Basil Davidson, Toyin Falola) who has
written on this period of time." Students must obtain the instructor’s agreement for the subject of
their biography by the DUE DATE indicated at the end of this syllabus. The written paper (5page minimum) will be critiqued and graded by the instructor based upon the criteria provided
below (Bibliography Paper Grading Criteria. The student will receive 10 points for on-time
submission. Overall, the biography assignment should tell a story and the grading will be based
upon the following criteria:




Format: Is typewritten and a MINIMUM of 5 pages (not including a title page or
references/bibliography list), double-spaced and with a minimum 12-point font. The
paper should be submitted online through the assignment link entitled Biography Paper.
 Uses a minimum of five (5) references that should include at least one periodical
article, one book source or chapter and no more than two (2) multimedia sources
(e.g., video, audio, Internet site).
Content: Provides relevant and sufficient demographic information on the subject for the
reader to get a good understanding about their biography
African Civilizations: Identifies the importance of the subject to African civilization and
world civilization
Lessons Learned: Clearly provides the reader with a statement(s) on the personal lessons
learned from this research project
Civilization
Students will be required to research and report in written form on one Classical/Ancient
African Civilization from the time periods covered by the course material. This assignment is
broken up into the following 3 requirements:
1st Requirement: Civilization Topic (1 Point)
Submit the topic/subject of your civilization paper to be approved by the instructor (see
due dates below). The topic can be any civilization not significantly covered by the course
readings or lectures. Prohibited topics include any of the Nile Valley Civilizations (Kemet,
Nubia, Kush, Meroe), Ethiopia, Axum, Zimbabwe, Ancient Ghana, Mali, or Songhai,
Yorubaland or the Kongo. Although “recognized” civilizations are the target of this assignment,
students should not hesitate from proposing lesser known subjects or civilizations. I will let you
know what is acceptable.
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Revised: August 17, 2016
AFS 240 - African Civilizations Instructor: Kwesi Craig C. Brookins, Ph.D.
Fall 2016
2nd Requirement: Civilization Outline and Bibliography (4 Points)
After getting approval for the topic from the instructor the student must submit a Civilization
Outline and Bibliography. This submission should be submitted online via the link entitled
Civilization Outline and Bibliography and will be graded (4 points) and must include:



The Working Title
The sections to be covered (see final grading criteria)
An annotated bibliography of at least five (5) references. An "annotation" means
a 2-3 sentence summary of each referenced material and how it connects to your
topic.
3rd Requirement: Civilization Paper (25 Points)
The Civilization Paper should be submitted online via the assignment link entitled Civilization
Paper. The grading (25 points) for the paper will be done according to the following criteria:





Civilization Paper Grading Criteria
Format: Is typewritten and a MINIMUM of 10 pages (not including a title page or
references/bibliography list), double-spaced and with a minimum 12-point font. The
paper should be submitted online through the assignment link entitled Civilization
Paper.
 Uses a minimum of eight (8) references that should include at least two (2) periodical
articles, two (2) book sources or chapters and no more than two (2) multimedia
sources (e.g., video, audio, Internet site).
Content: At minimum cover the areas of history, culture, politics, economics . Other
relevant areas are encouraged. Clearly, 10 pages is not a lot to provide in depth coverage
of any one area so you must choose what you deem to be most important but be prepared
to state why you have made that choice.
African Civilizations: Clearly state the importance of your chosen area to African and
World civilizations.
Africana Studies: Clearly state the importance of your chosen area to Africana Studies.
Lessons Learned: Clearly provide the reader with a statement(s) on the personal lessons
learned from this research project.
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Revised: August 17, 2016
AFS 240 - African Civilizations Instructor: Kwesi Craig C. Brookins, Ph.D.
Fall 2016
Grading
Assignment/Activity
Xtra Credit: Classmate Introduction (Forum section)
Xtra Credit QUIZ: Who Is This?
Five (5) Thoughtful Response Papers (5 points each)
6 Quizzes (5 points each)
One (1) External Assignment & Write-up
Xtra Credit: Biography Topic
Biography Paper
Civilization Paper Topic
Civilization Paper Outline & Bibliography
Civilization Paper
Totals
Points
% of Grade
1
5
25
30
5
1
10
1
4
25
n/a
n/a
25
30
5
n/a
10
1
4
25
100
100
As per University policy, +/- grades will be given for this course according to the criteria
provided below. In general, however, the scale will be as follows:
Highest
Lowest
Letter
Highest
Letter
Letter
100.00 %
97.00 %
A+
79.99 %
77.00 %
C+
96.99 %
93.00 %
A
76.99 %
73.00 %
C
92.99 %
90.00 %
A-
72.99 %
70.00 %
C-
89.99 %
87.00 %
B+
69.99 %
67.00 %
D+
86.99 %
83.00 %
B
66.99 %
63.00 %
D
82.99 %
80.00 %
B-
62.99 %
60.00 %
D-
59.99 %
0.00 %
F
Requirements for Credit-Only (S/U)
In order to receive a grade of S, students are required to take all exams and quizzes, complete all
assignments, and earn a grade of C- or better. Conversion from letter grading to credit only (S/U)
grading is subject to university deadlines. Refer to the Registration and Records calendar for
deadlines related to grading. For more details: http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-15
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AFS 240 - African Civilizations Instructor: Kwesi Craig C. Brookins, Ph.D.
Fall 2016
Schedule of Assignments
Due Dates
August 19th
August 21st
August 28th
September 4th
September 18th
September 25th
October 2nd
October 16th
October 30th
November 6th
December 4th
December 11th
Assignment/Activity1
Completion of Classmate Introduction Discussion2
Foundations Quiz: Introduction and Overview
Module
Biography Topic
Module 1: Thoughtful Reaction Paper
Module 1: Quiz
Civilization Topic
Module 2: Thoughtful Reaction Paper
Module 2: Quiz
Biography Paper
Module 3: Thoughtful Reaction Paper
Module 3: Quiz
Civilization Outline and Annotated Bibliography
Module 4: Thoughtful Reaction Paper
Module 4: Quiz
Module 5: Thoughtful Reaction Paper
Module 5: Quiz
External Assignment: Thoughtful Reaction Paper
Civilization Paper
Totals
Points Percentage
of Grade
13
Xtra Credit
5
5
14
5
5
1
5
5
10
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
25
1005
Xtra Credit
5
5
1
5
5
10
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
25
100%
1
Please note that all module assignments and quizzes are due at Midnight on Sunday. A grace period for
submission will be given for late submissions up to the following Monday @ Midnight. .5 Points will be deducted,
however, for late submissions even during the grace period. No assignments will be accepted after the Monday @
Midnight grace period and students will lose full credit for the assignment.
2
This assignment is not required.
3
EXTRA CREDIT POINTS
4
EXTRA CREDIT POINTS
5
Extra Credit Points can earn the student an additional 7 points.
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AFS 240 - African Civilizations Instructor: Kwesi Craig C. Brookins, Ph.D.
Fall 2016
AFS 240 External Assignment Instructions (5 Points)
There are THREE (3) parts to this assignment:
PART ONE
1. Take a trip to the North Carolina Museum
of Art (NCMA) in Raleigh (or another
museum you may have access to with an
Egyptian exhibit).6
2. View the Egyptian Collection and
Exhibit and the African Exhibit. Take note
of the various pieces of information provided.
PART TWO
1. Access and review the following
link: Ancient Egypt Online.
a. Answer the following questions:
1. What was your key impression of
each exhibit (Both the Museum
and Virtual exhibits? Was there anything in particular that impressed you the most? Disappointed
you the most?
2. Which exhibit provided the most useful information for the layperson who probably doesn't know
much about Egypt?
3. How effective or useful do you think a virtual exhibit can be?
4. As compared to the information provided in Module 1 and 2, how consistent do you think each of
the exhibits is with that information?
PART THREE
1.
2.
3.
Review the documentary film: Hidden Treasures of African Art
Provide your impressions of the NCMA African Exhibit.
How well do you think this exhibit compares and contrasts with the Hidden
African Art documentary and what you’ve learned in this course?
Treasures of
Be sure to answer ALL questions. It is best to list the question and then your response one-by-one.
6
Let the instructor know if you do not have access to a comparable museum and we can make other arrangements.
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