Program: Ph.D.
Email: namoa@indiana.edu
Previous Degrees: Bachelor of Music (B.MUS) & Master of Philosophy (MPHIL in Ethnomusicology), University of Ghana, Legon.
Area of Study: Culture and Literature
Bio: I am from Ghana and have been studying here in IUB since August 2010. I studied music for my undergraduate studies and started my Master’s degree at the University of Ghana. During my second year, I won a scholarship to University of Hannover in Germany to research and write my master’s degree thesis (known as dissertation on that campus).
In my one-year fellowship in Germany, I taught students introduction to African studies and African Drumming. In returning to Ghana, as a research assistant with the Center for Gender and Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA), an affiliate of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana. There, I embarked on these projects: “Changing Representation of women in Popular music” and “ Ghanaian women Entrepreneurs in rural areas in Ghana”, which were sponsored by the World Bank. I also taught at the University for two years prior to my travel to the US to start my PhD studies. So far, I have enjoyed my stay at IU, but I am still trying hard to make it my second home considering the difference in weather and the food we eat locally.
Currently I am an Associate Instructor (AI) for African American and African Diaspora Literature course in the AAADS Department. So far, it has been very productive. I love sharing knowledge and this puts me in the right position. I have also been in the African American Choral Ensemble since I arrived at Indiana University (IU), and it is an experience I could not have afforded to miss. I always make sure that I put on a smiling face because it takes away all my stress.
Current research/Research interests:
Cross Cultural Studies: Africa American and African Diaspora Literature, Representation of Women in Popular Music, black religious music, Black women musicians and diet/keeping in shape.
Teaching:
- University of Ghana: Introduction to African Studies, African Music and African Traditional Instruments (Drums).Graduate Assistant: International Centre for African Music and Dance / Emeritus Prof J. H. Kwabena Nketia Archive.
- Indiana University, Bloomington: Associate Instructor: Groups Theatre Program (Summer 2011), African American and African Diaspora Literature (Fall 2011).
- Associate Instructor (AI)- A131-Fall 2011 - A132- Spring 2012
Summer 2012
- Organized a two-week workshop: ‘African Arts in Education- African Music and Dance’ African Studies Program. IUB. June 4 – 15, 2012.
- Associate Instructor –Groups Theatre 2012
Publications/ Year published/ Publisher:
- “Africa Today”, a refereed journal, in the September 2011 issue: Book Review Essay:
- Ampofo, Akosua Adomako, and Signe Arnfred, editors. 2010. AFRICANIST FEMINIST POLITICS OF KNOWLEDGE: TENSIONS, CHALLENGES, AND POSSIBILITIES. Nordiska Afrikainstitutet.
Conference Papers:
- Games and Play Songs in Ghana: ‘Their Impact on the Ghanaian Child’ Kano, Nigeria. October 2010
- An Investigation of African American Music; ‘Is it African Enough’
- Sounds of Evolution: A study of ‘Osibisaba’ Highlife and ‘Folk Spirituals’ of Africa and Africans in the Diaspora. ASA Conference, Washington DC. Nov 2011
- She looks cute on Stage: Ghanaian Women musicians keeping in Shape and Talking Health. Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference, 1&2 ND July 2012. Cedarville, Ohio.
Book Reviews (forthcoming)
- Jindra Michael and Noret Joel, Eds. 2011. Funerals in Africa: Explorations of a Social Phenomenon, Oxford and New York: Berghan Books. 232 pages.
- Aissata G. Sidikou and Thomas A. Hale Eds. 2012. Women’s voices from West Africa. An Anthology of Songs from the Sahel. Indiana University Press. Bloomington and Indianapolis.
Honors and Awards:
2005- Volkswagen Foundation- One year Fellowship in University of Hannover, Germany.
2010 – Three year Fellowship by IUB for PhD study.
2011 - Conference Grants from AAAD
2011- Office for Women Affairs (OWA)- Travel Grant
2011-2012: College of Arts & Sciences Travel Award
2012- African Studies Research Grant
Professional organizations:
- African Studies Association, USA
- National Council of Black Studies (NCBS)
- African Third World Societies (ATWS)
