Five College African Scholars Program : Theme for Spring 2005

Theme for Spring 2005

Power & Representation

The framework of the nation-state that Africans inherited at independence has been both powerful and fragile. Individuals in many walks of life have both nurtured and challenged the state; so too have those who exercise power within and against the official structures of government. Throughout Africa, the arts and culture have been integral to the creation of new political forms, and intellectuals have been variously co-opted, suppressed, and supported by those wielding economic and political power.

We encourage applicants to reflect on their own research and to contest and enlarge upon questions of how power is wielded, represented, and challenged. Here are a few issues this theme suggests to us; we welcome other perspectives and approaches.

* What is the obligation of the intellectual or the artist—or any citizen—to support or challenge state power? How does the play of power affect intellectual or artistic activity?

* Historically, before or during colonial times, how have Africans responded to the power of the state? How have earlier constructions of power been altered or reproduced since independence?
How have constitutions been made or unmade?

* How have Africans dealt with external representations of the continent?

* How is language connected to these issues? How have African languages—indigenous and colonial—been used, taught, and reproduced in the post-colonial period?

* How do ethnicity, gender and sexuality define or delimit expression in national discourse?

* How does the exercise of state power reinforce or challenge other loci of power: religion, family, traditional authority, the workplace?

* Politically and economically, how do state policies on land, commerce and ownership affect individuals?

* How do global communications technologies and information exchange shape the exercise of state power and challenges to it?

Useful Links

African Literature Association Annual Conference 2005, to be be held April 6-10, 2005 at the Millennium Harvest Hotel, Boulder, Colorado

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	Theme for Spring 2005 Power & Representation The framework of the nation-state that Africans inherited at independence has been both powerful and fragile. Individuals in many walks of life have both nurtured and challenged the state; so too have those who exercise power within and against the official structures of government. Throughout Africa, the arts and culture have been integral to the creation of new political forms, and intellectuals have been variously co-opted, suppressed, and supported by those wielding economic and political power. We encourage applicants to reflect on their own research and to contest and enlarge upon questions of how power is wielded, represented, and challenged. Here are a few issues this theme suggests to us; we welcome other perspectives and approaches. * What is the obligation of the intellectual or the artist—or any citizen—to support or challenge state power? How does the play of power affect intellectual or artistic activity? * Historically, before or during colonial times, how have Africans responded to the power of the state? How have earlier constructions of power been altered or reproduced since independence? How have constitutions been made or unmade? * How have Africans dealt with external representations of the continent? * How is language connected to these issues? How have African languages—indigenous and colonial—been used, taught, and reproduced in the post-colonial period? * How do ethnicity, gender and sexuality define or delimit expression in national discourse? * How does the exercise of state power reinforce or challenge other loci of power: religion, family, traditional authority, the workplace? * Politically and economically, how do state policies on land, commerce and ownership affect individuals? * How do global communications technologies and information exchange shape the exercise of state power and challenges to it? Useful Links African Literature Association Annual Conference 2005, to be be held April 6-10, 2005 at the Millennium Harvest Hotel, Boulder, Colorado