(in Polish) Cywilizacje Afryki 1.1 3600-7-AF1-CA1.1

The course aims to familiarize students with the fundamental aspects of African culture, literature, history, religion, philosophy, and art. The knowledge is delivered through an interdisciplinary approach, with particular emphasis on the interrelationships between history, socio-cultural transformations, and the major achievements of African civilizations.
The course is organized as a five-semester module, and students achieve all intended learning outcomes upon completion of the entire module. During classes, discussion-based methods are employed to support the practical understanding of the material through collaborative text analysis and workshop activities; the course combines lectures with presentations, discussions, and individual student work.
As part of extensive independent study conducted outside class hours and in preparation for examinations, students systematically and independently analyze the provided teaching materials, develop the assigned topics, broaden their knowledge through additional sources, and consolidate lecture content related to the selected module. These activities include both the critical reading of texts and the independent organization, interpretation, and integration of acquired knowledge, which constitute an essential component of achieving the learning outcomes specified for the course.

Term 2026Z:

The course is intended for first-year students to introduce them to the main social and cultural issues in Africa.
The classes will focus on rituals related to pivotal moments in social life from the perspective of traditional African cultures: birth, initiation, marriage. Topics related to traditional social roles, etiquette principles, and leisure activities will be discussed. A separate section will be dedicated to the impact of globalization on traditional cultures of Africa.

Course coordinators

Zuzanna Augustyniak

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

General:

Classroom

Term 2026Z:

Blended learning

Learning outcomes

Students know and understand:
- at an advanced level, the most important phenomena, movements, and literary texts of Africa (K_W03)
- at an advanced level, the influence and role of African historical processes, religions, and philosophical systems in shaping contemporary conditions (K_W04)
- the philosophies and religions of Africa (K_W05)
- the art and aesthetics of Africa (K_W06)
- the impact of the natural environment, economic conditions, international relations, as well as ethnic, demographic, and political circumstances on the social and cultural issues of Africa in both historical and contemporary perspectives (K_W07)
- at an advanced level, methods of analysis and interpretation of various cultural products characteristic of the indigenous traditions of Africa (K_W10)

Students are able to:
- correctly situate the African region within the context of natural, geopolitical, and economic conditions (K_U03)
- read and interpret literary texts and other works of African cultural production (film, press, and socially oriented writing), correctly placing them within their cultural context, as well as analyze, compare, and identify relationships between them and issues of tradition and modernity (K_U04)
- analyze the major phenomena and movements in African art (K_U05)
- present issues related to African cultural studies in Polish and in a selected African language (Swahili, Hausa, or Amharic), with consideration of Africa’s intellectual traditions (K_U13)

Students are ready to:
- explore cultural diversity, its sources, and its significance for the contemporary world (K_K02)
- reflect on the place and significance of African cultures within world culture (K_K03)
- recognize the socio-cultural values of Africa, which may serve as a source for personal development and effective intercultural communication (K_K05)

Assessment criteria

Oral exam.
Attendance check - two absences, i.e. 4 hours, are permitted per semester; in the case of absence due to illness, a medical certificate justifying the absence must be submitted within seven working days of the end date of the sick leave indicated therein.

Practical placement

None

Bibliography

Zygmunt Komorowski, „Kultury Czarnej Afryki”, Wrocław 1994
„Słownik etnologiczny: terminy ogólne”, pod red. naukową Zofii Staszczak, Warszawa 1987.
Max Gluckman, Politics, Law and Ritual in Tribal Society, Oxford: Basil Blackwell 1965.
John Iliffe, Afrykanie. Dzieje kontynentu, Kraków: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego 2011.
Adam Kuper, Wymyślanie społeczeństwa pierwotnego. Transformacje mitu, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego 2009.
John S. Mbiti, Afrykańskie religie i filozofia, Warszawa: Instytut Wydawniczy PAX 1980.
Ryszard Vorbrich, Plemienna i postplemienna Afryka. Koncepcje i postaci wspólnoty w dawnej i współczesnej Afryce, Poznań: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM 2012.

Term 2026Z:

Zygmunt Komorowski, „Kultury Czarnej Afryki”, Wrocław 1994
„Słownik etnologiczny: terminy ogólne”, pod red. naukową Zofii Staszczak, Warszawa 1987
Max Gluckman, Politics, Law and Ritual in Tribal Society, Oxford: Basil Blackwell 1965.
John Iliffe, Afrykanie. Dzieje kontynentu, Kraków: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego 2011.
Adam Kuper, Wymyślanie społeczeństwa pierwotnego. Transformacje mitu, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego 2009.
John S. Mbiti, Afrykańskie religie i filozofia, Warszawa: Instytut Wydawniczy PAX 1980.
Ryszard Vorbrich, Plemienna i postplemienna Afryka. Koncepcje i postaci wspólnoty w dawnej i współczesnej Afryce, Poznań:
Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM 2012.