Culture and Identity Linkages of the Swahili with the Outside World I
CMLT(SWAH)(AFST)(ANTH) 3001
3 hours
Culture and Identity Linkages of the Swahili with the Outside World I
Course Description
Exploration of the multi-textured identity of the Swahili people
and how they came to occupy a prominent position in the world
from a historical, geographical, anthropological, political,
scientific, linguistic, religious, as well as cultural point of
view. Their relationship to African Americans and other cultures
is emphasized.
Athena Title
The Swahili and the World I
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in CMLT 3001E, SWAH 3001E, AFST 3001E, ANTH 3001E, CMLT 3001S, SWAH 3001S, AFST 3001S, ANTH 3001S
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to serve the local and broader community by assisting nonprofits receiving Swahili speaking immigrants and/or other immigrants from Africa to improve their efforts.
Students will be able to evaluate cultural, social and other needs of Swahili speaking immigrants and/or other immigrants from Africa through participation in a service-learning project here in Athens; the class will partner with local community programs and organizations addressing educational, social and cultural needs of African immigrants.
Students will be able to apply their knowledge about pros and cons of foreign aid; reflect upon such ideas after interacting first-hand with recipients of foreign aid while in Africa and after coming to America.
Students will be able to apply their new knowledge about KWANZAA in identifying aspects of the Swahili culture present among African Americans here in Athens.
Topical Outline
What is Kwanzaa and how is it related to the Swahili people and language?
Who are the Swahili people?
Geographical position of the Swahili coastal states
History of the Swahili civilization
Internal and external trade networks: contact with the outside world
Theories about the origins and ownership of the Swahili civilization
Archaeological, anthropological, and architectural marks of the Swahili culture and language
Effects of colonization, issues of identity, dependency, and decolonization
Sustainability and the Swahili coast
Foreign aid and developing countries
African Americans and the Swahili culture
Cross-cultural influence of Kiswahili names of African Americans
Prospects of Swahili attaining a global status among the world languages
