African Novels in the classroom

About the book : Some of the best college teachers have found novels to be extremely effective assignments in courses addressing various aspects of African studies. Here, two dozen of those teachers describe their favourite African novels-drawn from all over the continent-and share their experiences in using them in the classroom. Each contributor discusses why a particular novel works well with students and what specific topics it addresses. Information provided in each case includes: details about the course in which the novel is used, the plot line and major characters, the historical and social context of the novel and how that fits into the writer's life and literary production, course assignments and suggestions for further study, topics that enliven class discussion, and any problems the students have encountered. Indexes listing the novels by region and theme further enhance the usefulness of this practical resource, which is a perfect companion to Great Ideas for Teaching About Africa (edited by Misty Bastian and Jane Parpart, 1999).