Africa

The countries and regions of Africa, once home to distinctive medieval empires, are remarkable for their rich and diverse cultures. The skills, labor, and artistic and cultural traditions of African peoples have shaped the development of other nations for centuries, particularly through the African Diaspora. Primary Source's professional development programs aim to portray the countries accurately, focusing on their individual histories as well as the challenges people face in the present. Current issues such as post-colonial governance, emerging democratic practices, regional conflicts, and widespread disease are among the topics our seminars feature.

Seminars 2010-2011

Africa and the Americas Connected: A Tale of Three Continents
Three-day seminar series
Course Dates: Dec. 3, Jan. 11, Spring 2011 Date TBA
Time: 9:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Primary Source
PDPs/Credits: 27 PDPs; 1 graduate credit for the course
Fee: Partnership educators—no cost other than fee for 1 graduate credit; Non-partnership educators—$300 plus fee for 2 graduate credits

The relationship between Africa and the continents of the "New World" is of central importance in world history and globalized American history curricula. This course examines multiple modes of interaction and exchange in the Atlantic world—of people, products, practices and beliefs— from the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries. Topics will include the rise of Atlantic trade and the Black Atlantic world; the histories and legacies of slavery and its demise in the European colonies of the Americas; religion and culture in African diasporic communities; globalized Africa in the twentieth century; and the place of Africa and pan-Africanism in liberation politics across three continents.

Selected Faculty: Ibrahim Sundiata, Brandeis University; Robert Allison, Suffolk University

Course Topics

• Day 1: The Making of the Black Atlantic
• Day 2: Connections Across Three Continents
• Day 3: Globalized Africa in the Twentieth Century

Especially for educators in grades 6-12

Registration for 2010-2011 programs will begin in early September 2010.

Partnership educators: Registration must be approved through your school district.
Please get in touch with your school district's Primary Source contact person and let them know which program(s) you are interested in. Upon approval from your district, Primary Source will contact you with instructions for online registration.

Non-partnership educators:
Space is limited. Please send your registration request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Space permitting, retired educators are welcome to register for Primary Source seminars at a discount of 50% off the non-partner rate.

Registration deadline is Friday, September 24, 2010.