During the two and a half weeks of 2014 Winter-Term, a couple of students are examining the evolution of Africa from pre-colonial times to recent history in a course entitled Africa into the 21st century by Professor Dixon-Fyle. Dixon-Fyle is originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Dixon-Fyle began teaching about Africa in 1976, and this will be the fifth year teaching the Winter Term course.
Kristen Nichole Dyer, a first year student from Whiteland, Ind.thinks that Dixon-Fyle's African descent is beneficial because she believes it educates his opinions on the topics he teaches.
Dixon-Fyle believes there is a great need for everyone to know about Africa since it is the core of all life.
"Not much is taught about it in high schools," he said.
Dixon-Fyle said it is certain that not much is known by the diverse community that attends DePauw University about Africa. This course looks at some of the stereotypes about the African continent such as Africa having poor economies, some people still living in trees or pre-colonial times.
When Dixon-Fyle was asked whether the name of the course was misleading as it suggests Africa as a country, he said it was common that many people think Africa is just one big country with small states just like the United States but this is not true. There are 54 countries in the African continent and Dixon-Fyle's hope is that the title of the course will excite the students and urge them to learn more.
"The themes under review dictate the countries we select for discussion," he said.
Dixon-Fyle said this is one the interesting things about this class as it looks at Africa as a continent but also looks deeper to some countries.
Dyer mentioned that it is interesting that the class was open-minded and students got to choose their own library material and present in class. She said she expected the course to be a typical lecture class and wondere whether the class can possibly learn much in just two and a half weeks.
Dixon-Fyle responded to the unforeseen loss of two days due to the winter storm saying he was sure most, if not all, the students had generally caught up through office hours and watching videos to explain some of the topics that would be covered. He went on to say that he had no problem with the length of the course because it has worked before and also because this course pulls together all the six African courses he conducts on a regular semester.
Dixon-Fyle said the course focuses on the surface of the deeper topics covered in other courses. Many students finish the course with a new desire to learn more about Africa and which has been seen since some students attended Peace Core in Africa and others have PhDs in African History. He also said this course allow students of different ethnicities to see they have a variety in common.
