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African Literature and the American University

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2017

Extract

In a rather loose, personal way I would like to address myself to the problems of the extremely tenuous position that African literature holds in the American university, and to a step that has recently been taken towards ameliorating the situation. As much of what I will present is admittedly subjective, I hope to raise questions and precipitate discussion, having no desire to pre-empt debate with an airtight argument.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1974 

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References

1 This is a rough estimate obtained by counting the number of schools which have listed courses in Research in African Literatures.As this includes only those places that responded to the questionnaire that RALsent out, the figure could be much higher. See Susan Kerr, “The Present Status of the Teaching of African Literature,” RAL,Vol. 2, No. 1 (1971), pp. 51-58; and Richard Priebe, “Courses in African Literature and Folklore,” RAL,Vol. 3, No. 1 (1972), pp. 75-78.

2 There is, however, increasing evidence that the boom in Africana is now over. See “Spring Publishing 1974: The Outlook is Dismal,” Africa Report.Vol. 19, No. 1 (1974), pp. 48-50.

3 “Under Western Eyes.” Black World.Vol. 22, No. 9 (1973), pp. 40-48.

4 Ibid., p. 45.