ASRC 6902 - [Africana Graduate Seminar: History, Political, Social Anaylsis]

In English, “Palaber” is defined as loud and confused and empty talk. In French, the word although still derogatory refers more properly to gatherings in so-called traditional African societies where information is exchanged among members of the community; decision are made about the quotidian; and justice is rendered.

In this spirit the present course is an Introduction to what the faculty assembled in this department of Africana Studies and elsewhere tell themselves about their academic mission, their intellectual agenda, and the wisdom and academic content that they wish to impart to the incoming class on research in Historical, Political, and Social Analysis. The theme is open to each entering class based on its composition and interest. Ideally, the theme should relate to the students’ interest and bear on the three principal geographical areas currently represented Cornell’s ASRC: the US, Caribbean, and Africa.