Proposal Title
Telling the Truth About Africa
Abstract
The continent of Africa has long been the subject of myths and misconceptions, especially in the west. For example, many Americans are unaware of Africa's diversity-- it is comprised of more than fifty countries, where eleven languages (and numerous dialects) are spoken, and it is home to many ethnic and religious groups. Some countries in Africa are both stable and prosperous, while others endure ongoing conflicts. So, what should we in the west know about Africa? In our globalized world, getting to know more about this continent is essential, especially since we utilize some of its natural resources. Our presentation will be done by a professor whose expertise is in media representations, and a student who is from Congo and has lived in South Africa. We will approach the study of Africa from the perspective of someone who has interacted with African journalists and advocates, and someone who has lived in two African countries and can compare and contrast them. The goal of our presentation is to take a closer look at what Africa is, and what it is not.
Start Date
27-3-2019 9:00 AM
End Date
27-3-2019 9:50 AM
Room Number
U-Hall 3-100
Presentation Type
Paper
Disciplines
African Languages and Societies | Film and Media Studies | International and Intercultural Communication
Telling the Truth About Africa
The continent of Africa has long been the subject of myths and misconceptions, especially in the west. For example, many Americans are unaware of Africa's diversity-- it is comprised of more than fifty countries, where eleven languages (and numerous dialects) are spoken, and it is home to many ethnic and religious groups. Some countries in Africa are both stable and prosperous, while others endure ongoing conflicts. So, what should we in the west know about Africa? In our globalized world, getting to know more about this continent is essential, especially since we utilize some of its natural resources. Our presentation will be done by a professor whose expertise is in media representations, and a student who is from Congo and has lived in South Africa. We will approach the study of Africa from the perspective of someone who has interacted with African journalists and advocates, and someone who has lived in two African countries and can compare and contrast them. The goal of our presentation is to take a closer look at what Africa is, and what it is not.
