NEW250Y1 Lecture : new250 week one.docx
Document Summary
* be aware of historical context when studying contemporary issues* first myth to dispense with is that is africa is homogenous, and that it is a country, feeds from the view that africa is ahistorical and timeless. The meaning that we attach to continent, countries and people of africa is what is significant because it justifies and fuels the way we act/think in relation to africa need to dispense miseducations. Idea of africa is a historical construct- prior to modernity and expansion of. Europe which became the center after 1500s. then west africa becomes center of trade for human bodies. Idea of nation stats are relatively new constructs--- race is also relatively new idea of race and idea of africa are historical constructs and historical processes- need to bear those in mind. Language used e. g ethnic conflicts in west vs tribal conflicts in africa--- helps conceptualize west vs africa as modern vs traditional.
