Carolina Academic Press

Africana studies; a survey of Africa and the African diaspora, 3d ed.

Previously referred to as Black Studies, the discipline described in this textbook edited by Azevedo (Afro-American and African Studies, U. of North Carolina at Charlotte), incorporates the study of African, African American, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Latin-American people. Key to editor Azevedo's approach is including multiple scholars in order to give as broad a picture as possible. Twenty-seven chapters by scholars from US universities are arranged in five sections covering the methodology for studying this area, African people and their history, the African diaspora today and tomorrow, artistic and other contributions, and various aspects of society. Specific subjects within sections detail slavery, the Civil War, colonialism, the Caribbean, African independence, emigration, music, art, literature, sports, the family, religion, and health. Also of note are three separate chapters on women in Africa, the Caribbean, and America. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Urbanization and African cultures.

African urban scholars from around the world address issues such as how to make sense of African cities, the city in African fiction, popular cultures, and urban histories and complexities. Among specific topics are the urban heroine in Nigerian female fiction, commemorating public events in a Tuareg setting, and how traditional African homesteads reflect the legal consequences of succession. The 29 papers were originally presented at the international conference African Urban Spaces: History and Culture, held in Austin, Texas in March-April 2003. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)