Digitalization in Africa: Pace, Challenges, Possibilities and Accomplishments

The Issues in African Development Seminar Series examines critical concerns in contemporary Africa using a different theme each semester. The seminars provide a forum for participants to explore alternative perspectives and exchange ideas. They are also a focal activity for students and faculty interested in African development. In addition, this seminar series prepares students for higher level courses on African economic, social, and political development. The presentations are designed for students who are interested in development as well as Africa’s place in global studies, want to know about the peoples, cultures, and societies that call Africa home, and wish to explore development theories and alternate viewpoints on development practice.

Course information: CRP 4770  (3644)  Regular Academic Session. Combined with: CRP 6770, DSOC 4770, DSOC 6770, GDEV6770. 2 credits S/U.  Thursdays from 2:40pm – 4:35pm. Instructor: Assie-Lumumba, N'Dri. Instruction Mode: In Person 

Schedule for Fall 2022

August 25    Digitalization in Africa  -  N’Dri Assie-Lumumba, Director, Institute for African Development, and Professor, Africana Studies

Sept. 1   Digital Humanities as Platform for Reconfiguring and Retooling Humanities Research and Scholarship in Africa - Tunde Ope-Davies, Visiting Professor, University of Hamburg    (virtual)

Sept. 8  Urban Planning - Wilbard Kombe, Professor, Urban Land Management and Director of the Institute of Human Settlements Studies at Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Sept. 15  Social Media Aesthetics and the Digital Afterlives of Old Nollywood - James Tunde Yeku, Assistant Professor, African Digital Humanities, University of Kansas   Hybrid  Register at this link    https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJArdeCoqzMrGNP_5QpVVpRkkJfTSWiNobMG 

Sept. 22  Role of Digital Technologies in Transforming Agri-Food Systems in Africa - Edward Mabaya, Research Professor, Global Development, Cornell        Hybrid  Register at this link   https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEvdumgpzsjGNX8mfaNDsfKG-0RqnMc1Wvi 

Sept. 29  "We Will Not Follow You Like Sheep:" Language, Officialdom, and Generational Politics in the Digital Age - Clovis Bergere, Assistant Director for Research, Northwestern, Qatar       Hybrid  Register at this link  https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvduqpqDwrHdy015Mu1X_uVk5oshw0o2U-

Oct. 6   Technology and Internet Inequities in African Universities - Papa K. Owusu-Kwarteng, Department of Educational Studies, Ohio University   Hybrid  Register at this link  https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsc--sqjMpGNZAdOCHTsCo_vSgu4R3Y0np

Oct. 13   Integrating Digitalization Technologies into African Development:  Can a Sociotechnical Systems Perspective Add Value?  - James Mason, Assistant Professor, Business Management,  MBA Program Director and Department Co-Chair Lesley University, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Hybrid.  Register at this link  https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEoduigrj0sE9YX-PI0kkgW82lyu2AD-S2l  

Oct. 20  Digitalization of African Elections - Nicolas van de Walle, Maxwell M. Upson Professor, Government, Cornell   Hybrid  Register at this link link https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMrf-isqTMqEtaCQDDNwBzOLI23Pp4Xf4FZ

Oct. 27   Towards Digitalized Healthcare: Medical Materialities in Zambia - Min’enhle Ncube, Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Cape Town   Hybrid.  Register at this link  https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEvdOyopz4oHNVmpc6QkBU5ZMxhH1scv_nS

Nov. 3    Learning in the Digital Age in Africa:  Experiences from Cornell and University of Ghana students -                                    Facilitators: N'Dri Assie-Lumumba, Professor, Africana Studies and Director, IAD /  Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi, Professor, Sociology and Founding Dean, School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE) &Head, Teaching Excellence Unit, Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI), University of Ghana, Legon (Hybrid)     Hybrid.  Register at this link  https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcldOigrzwjHNFn4pU3E65uyRLOzWaI7gJ-

Nov. 10  People, Practice, Power: Digital Humanities Outside the Center  -  Angel David Nieves, Professor of Africana Studies, History, & Digital Humanities, Director of Public Humanities, Department of Cultures, Societies, and Global Studies (CSGS)Department of History. Northeastern University  Hybrid.  Register at this link.  https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIlf-mhrz8pEteEUoRM6YTDHPJXo09Kdgqh

Nov. 17  Cyberspace and the City: (Post)colonial Imaginaries and Eritrean Politics - Victoria Bernal, Professor, Anthropology, University of California, Irvine.  Hybrid.  Register at this link.  https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqcOuspz8qGdYKTE7xkDOdfoAsqXJ8Ky0T 

Dec. 1  Students' presentation