The Center for International Studies: Faculty Resources

The Center for International Studies sponsored a faculty development seminar in summer 2004 that examined how post-apartheid political changes in southern Africa affect issues relating to education, the environment, patterns of development, and issues of culture and identity. The goal of this seminar was to provide a forum for faculty interested in southern Africa to engage in curricular and scholarly endeavors concerning the region. A group of faculty members participated in an intensive Spring 2004 reading group, as well as a number of campus activities, followed by travel to rural and urban venues in Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa for comparative studies over a three-week period in May/June 2004. On campus in Fall 2004, the group reconvened for post-seminar discussions and collaborative work and also participated in a Rosenfield symposium in Spring 2005, "Beyond Colonialism and Apartheid: Facing the Future in Southern Africa."

In selecting the participants for the seminar, the Selection Committee sought applicants with interests that are linked to the themes of the seminar; a stated interest in, and commitment to, participating in activities related to the seminar throughout Spring, Summer and Fall 2004; and a clear vision of how involvement in this seminar will result in post-seminar contributions to the international environment at Grinnell College. Preference was given to applicants with plans for post-seminar activities that are clearly articulated and potentially fundable from the Committee for Support of Faculty Scholarship (CSFS), the Instructional Support Committee (ISC), or relevant external funding sources. In addition, applicants who participated in either of the two previous faculty development seminars were asked to address how their involvement in these experiences has impacted the academic environment at the College.

The following faculty participated in the Seminar:

Seminar Leader: George Drake; Seminar Participants: Jenny Anger, Vicki Bentley-Condit, David Campbell, Christopher Connelly, Lesley Delmenico, Jean Ketter, Daniel Reynolds, and J. Montgomery Roper

In order to contextualize the Southern African Seminar, CIS organized or co-sponsored a number of activities, including regular meetings of the participants; several lectures and presentations by Africa specialists; an IFP visitor, M. K. Seely of Namibia (please see our IFP site for more information on her visit to campus); a Fall 2004 exhibit of South African artist William Kentridge in Faulconer Gallery; and brought Fulbright Scholar Professor Hein Willemse of the University of Praetoria for the entire 2004-05 academic year.