Gender in Africa and the Americas

Homework Assignment for Module 7

(SEE ATTACHED FILES) RESOURCES:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg3umXU_qWc

2. https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIKH51VX4iYACycsnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByYXI3cnIwBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDNA--?p=great+zimbabwe&vid=5a19d6ce196d2e424d9b4939a3b2fcb8&turl=https%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.Vd0f152d4ee9526785f7d87c151440dad%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D170%26w%3D300%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D2be1gO36Fs4&tit=Lost+Kingdoms+of+Africa+3+of+4+Great+Zimbabwe+HD&c=3&h=170&w=300&l=3070&sigr=11b4f3fn0&sigt=11ge8bggv&sigi=13262r7dq&age=1361128385&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=yhs-mozilla-004&hsimp=yhs-004&hspart=mozilla&tt=b

Below are 5 groups of questions. There are simply too many questions here for you each to answer, so what I want you to do is choose 2-3 questions from each of the groups to answer in a strong, well-supported paragraph. In other words, you get to choose which questions in the group you want to answer, and which ones you’ll not address. Be sure to write one paragraph about each group. You will be graded on the quality of your answers, not on how many questions you answer. Thus, when you complete the assignment to turn in, you will have five strong paragraphs, one paragraph on each of the groups of questions. I hope this makes sense, if not, feel free to write and I’ll clarify as needed.

Remember: A good paragraph is between 5 and ten sentences, has a topic sentence, uses evidence (paraphrased or quoted) from the sources, is interesting, spell-checked, properly punctuated, and clearly addresses the topic. Be sure to include page numbers for references to written sources, and a time indicator for references to video material. Good homework assignments will have at least one and more likely 2 or three specific references to readings or videos from the module in each paragraph. Therefore excellent homework assignments will have about 10 page numbers or timestamps to demonstrate specific knowledge of readings and videos.

Group 1. The Edge or the Center is probably the most challenging scholarly article you’ve read this semester for this course. What was it like for YOU to read this article and how long did it take you? What are Connah’s main claims in this article? (Mention 3 or 4 claims.) What evidence does he use to support his claims? (Give 4 or 5 pieces or types of evidence.)  Why would Connah say that his conclusions are significant?  How convinced are you by his conclusions?

Group 2. What are GCH’s main claims in the episode on Great Zimbabwe? (Mention 4 or 5 claims.) What evidence does he use to support his claims? (Give 4 or 5 pieces or types of evidence.)  Why would GCH say that his conclusions are significant?  How convinced are you by his conclusions? How would you compare this episode to the previous episodes of this series that we’ve watched so far (Nubia, Ethiopia)

Group 3. There is a lot of overlap between the Lost Kingdoms episode on Great Zimbabwe and Graham Connah’s article The Edge or the Center. What are three major similarities between the two pieces, and what are 3 differences? At least two of your similarities and two of your differences should be substantive (i.e. about historical facts, concepts and conclusions) but one similarity and/or difference can be about presentation or style if you want to write about those things.

Group 4. What do you think might be some of the reasons for the similarities and differences? What do you learn by reading and watching these materials in conjunction with each other? In other words, what do you learn by reading both that you might not learn by only reading OR watching but not both.

Group 5. What is Chimamanda Adichie’s main point in her TED talk? Why does she say she is a “Happy African Feminist”? What is her definition of gender? What are her solutions to the problem? How does Adichie’s talk apply to the material we’ve covered in this module (Strayer and Nelson’ chapter, Connah, GCH)? How does it apply to things we’ve covered earlier in the course? Do you think what she says mainly applies to Nigeria? Are there ways you could see it applying to other places and times?

 Extra Credit: For a few extra points added to your homework score, answer any or all of the following questions:

What was your favorite activity in this module? What was your least favorite?

What is the best/ most interesting/funniest or most surprising thing you learned from either Graham Connah or Gus Casely-Hayford? What was your favorite thing from Chimamanda Adichie's piece?