Course Description
Introduction to the language, life, and culture of Yoruba- speaking people in West Africa and other parts of the world, with special emphasis on the relevance of the cultural products under study to the contemporary global scene.
Athena Title
Yoruba Culture Civilization
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The course will introduce students to the culture, language, life, and civilization of the Yoruba speaking people of West Africa, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti. Students will learn about the importance of the Yoruba culture in the Americas as well as the impact of the Yoruba language and culture in other parts of the world. Special emphasis will be placed on the relevance of texts studied to the contemporary global scene. Students will complete readings, in English, on Yoruba politics, history, economics, language, literature, sociology, religion, arts, music, and esthetics. The course will also highlight the role of language in culture, with particular focus on the role of Yoruba language in the cultural practices of Africa, the Americas, and Western Europe.
Topical Outline
The following will form the topical outline for the course: I. The Origins of the Yoruba II. Yoruba Language and Culture III. Life Cycle: Birth, Marriage, Death IV. Social Organization V. Political Organization VI. Economies VII. Traditional Religion VIII. Esthetics IX. Yoruba Esthetics in the New World X. Yoruba language and Religion in the New World
Syllabus