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Symbols and Social Activism: An Agenda for African Studies and the ASA for the 21st Century

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2014

Abstract:

This essay examines the history of the African Studies Association's engagement with the debates, concerns, and issues that have generated both tensions and creative energy within the association since its founding in 1948. The author argues that in the future, the association must maintain its preeminent role in fostering scholarly exchange, but that the association must also seek to engage in a much more active dialogue with the policy world; it must address issues of concern to academics in Africa, and it must work to encourage greater interest in Africa within and outside the academy.

Résumé:

Résumé:

Cet article examine l'histoire de l'attitude du ASA à l'égard des débats, des préoccupations et des problèmes qui ont engendré à la fois des tensions et de l'énergie créatrice en son sein depuis sa fondation en 1948. L'auteur soutient qu'à l'avenir l'association devra maintenir son rôle prééminent dans l'encouragement de l'échange entre universitaires, mais que l'association aussi devra s'engager dans un dialogue beaucoup plus actif avec les sphères où se font les décisions politiques, qu'elle devra tenir compte des problèmes qui concernent les universitaires en Afrique, et qu'elle devra aussi viser à encourager un plus grand intérêt pour l'Afrique, aussi bien au sein de l'université qu'au delà.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1999

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