Africa is considerably more important, more interesting and certainly more complex than its popular image suggests. The course provides an introduction to the peoples and cultures of tropical (sub-Saharan) Africa. Topics covered include: the historical geography of Africa; pre-colonial and colonial roots of contemporary African state-societies; case studies of changing systems of kinship, marriage, family and gender relations; race, ethnicity, language, class and the dynamics of cultural, national and pan-African identity; religion, music, dance and the arts in contemporary Africa; globalization and the challenge of African development. The course is open to both anthropology concentrators and non-concentrators. Grades are based on four 5-6 page or three 7-8 page type-written, take-home papers, and contributions to class discussion. Film/videos shown in class when available. Basic Texts: Vincent Khapoya, "The African Experience, An Introduction" Third Edition, and R. Olaniyan, ed "African History and Culture".