Topic: Cultural Flows to the Periphery:
The Case of Contemporary Africa
5:00-7:30 PM	 W  	ARR
9:30-10:45	  R	WH 205
Meets with GRAD G731
There have been two popular and scholarly scenarios regarding
cultural flows in what is referred to as the current world system:
culture from the center will swamp and replace local culture, culture
from the periphery
will threaten "civilization" at the center.  Recent research in
sociology and anthropology, however, is increasingly calling into
question these models of culture.  Daniel Miller insists, for
example, on the "quite unprecedented diversity created by the
differential consumption of what had once been thought to be global
and homogenising institutions," as opposed to the conventional logic
that "locals' . . . retain authentic differences at least until they
become victims of mass consumption as the latest version of post-
colonial influences.  Mass consumption goods often come to stand for
the new . . . identity that subsumes and suppresses cultural
difference and creates drastic global homogenisation."  In this
course we will evaluate and, to the extent possible, participate in
the debate.  We shall ponder the former scenario in particular by
considering how cultural products, reputedly from the center--such as
the novel, video
and audio technologies, rap music, paintbrushes and canvass--are used
on the periphery.

Some have argued that creolization is a better model. We will
consider the appropriateness of these models and ask, with Senegalese
philosopher, Souleymane Bachir Diagne, whether "culture" is a stock
of elements or an approach to the world.  We may ask, with regard to
literature for example,
whether the concept of  intertextuality  might usefully incorporate a
center/periphery dimension.

This course will thus touch on issues relevant for students in
Folklore, Telecommunications, Communication and Culture,
Anthropology, Comparative Literature, Ethnomusicology, and the
perspectives of those disciplines would greatly enrich the class.
The cases we consider will be primarily
African, but students of "central" or other "peripheral" spaces--
Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe--are welcome.  Scholars who have
agreed so far to offer guest lectures include Professor Charlie
Sugnet, University of Minnesota, who is doing research on music
videos in West Africa, Professor Souleymane Bachir Diagne, University
Cheikh Anta Diop (Senegal) and Northwestern University, Tim Mangin, a
graduate student at Columbia University who is researching rap music
in Senegal, and Kalidou Sy, an
independent visual artist, residing in Bloomington.  Other
researchers are being invited, including one working on popular
culture in Ghana and another working on Central American culture.

C603/G731 is offered with variable credit (1 - 4). In addition to
sustained participation, requirements will vary accordingly,
including, for example, preparation of mock funding proposals for
research in the field, several short papers or a lengthy research
paper.  Students may also elect
to present their proposals and findings to the class before handing
in their papers.

For further information, contact Professor Julien
ejulien@indiana.edu