Joseph Dorsey
Short Writing Assignment for Students
2003 Workshop on Improving Student Writing
Center for Writing Excellence
Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching
Joseph Dorsey
WCP 231 Social Systems III, Fall 2003
Colonialism and Neo-Colonialism: Cases from Africa and South America
Colonization and Neocolonialism:
Africa's Continuing Struggle for Development
Walter Rodney's How Europe Underdeveloped Africa provides Pan African and Marxist perspectives on the colonization and underdevelopment of the African continent. After nearly one hundred years of conquest, exploitation, and colonization, most colonies in African gained independence from colonial rule. In principle, the nations of Africa are no longer formal colonies of European countries. Papers were signed, so to speak, but the “divorce” is not complete.
Discussion Questions
Instructions:
Prepare a question about the readings for today (Introduction and Chapter One). Write your question on the index card provided at the beginning of class.
You will have five (5) minutes to form a question. Questions should be based on inconsistencies or aspects that are unclear. Questions should address the author’s perspective on the subject. The following questions are examples of good questions to ask:
Why does Walter Rodney, whose book reflected the consciousness of the 1970s, think the relationship of colony and colonizer is so difficult to end?
Why does the aftermath of colonization have the particular forms we see in the former colonies of France, England, Portugal, etc.?
Once the index cards are collected the questions will be redistributed to the class and you will be asked to pair up with a classmate. One student will be the interviewer asking the question provided and taking notes on the answers of the other student. After 15 minutes you will switch roles and the new interviewer will ask the next question of the other student while taking notes as well.
Questions that could not be answered will be reported to the larger class and students will be asked to write for 1-2 minutes on the answers to the “tough” questions. Especially good questions will be collected and used for discussion, lecture, or exams.
This exercise will not only help you see the world through time (history) and space (geography), but also, from another person’s perspective or worldview. In addition, you should offer some self-reflection on your topic of discussion. |