To: CIEE
From: Victoria Pasley
Assistant Professor of History
Lane College, Jackson, TN.

Final Report for ExxonMobil Fellowship

The main objective of the Faculty Development Seminar in Dakar, Senegal was a broad introduction to Senegal’s history, culture and current affairs. It was an excellent program, very well organized, and was very enriching. On most days the group of nine participants would have a lecture or lectures from a Senegalese professor from the University Cheikh Anta Diop or from independent experts and researchers. Topics included the Atlantic Slave Trade, Religion in Senegal, US – Senegalese relations, HIV programs and the role of NGO’s, Women in Senegal and the development of Democracy. Although I had a broad knowledge of many of these topics in West Africa in general, this program gave me a detailed understanding of Senegal’s history, current political situation and future aims.

I have gained from my participation in the seminar in several different areas
I teach a survey of African history and I will be able to use much of the material learned to enhance my lectures on African history using specific examples from Senegal’s history. One lecture clearly showed how Islam had spread in Senegambia and also discussed the role of Islamic brotherhoods, which play an important role in Senegalese society. We also had a very good lecture on the development of democracy in Senegal, which I will be able to draw from to discuss contemporary issues. I also took photos that I have put on a CD-ROM and hope to make a small power point presentation, strengthened by the addition of some Senegalese music, to give students a visual and audio impression of Dakar.

I also teach Slavery in the Americas and the lecture on the slave trade and visit to Goree island filled in many gaps in my knowledge of the African side of slavery that will benefit my students in that class. For example, the lecture clarified some of the difference between being enslaved in Senegal and being sent to the Americas in slavery. The lecture went into some detail of the cultural connections between Senegal and Louisiana which also added to my knowledge.

My classes in World history will also benefit from experience as I can now give specific examples of how Islam spread and on the political and educational system in French West Africa. I can also add the material on the slave trade to World History and as well as to US history surveys.

I had planned to write a paper on NGO’s but I found much more fertile material for a paper in my visit to the Forut Media Centre in Dakar. As I wrote in my proposal, I have a research and teaching interest in African film so that I was eager to meet with local filmmakers. The Forut Media Centre is training young people, both men and women, in the art of video and filmmaking, and in using media for the expression of social problems and social change. I was able to meet with one of the founders of centre and also had an extensive interview with a local filmmaker who works at the centre. I intend to write up a short paper on the work they are doing, tying it to my interest in African cinema and the theory of Third Cinema.

Meeting Senegalese academics and social workers and having a chance to exchange ideas and listen to their views bolstered my understanding of current issues in Africa.

The participants in the seminar came from a broad range of disciplines, which enabled an interesting exchange of ideas on teaching. One participant taught online and was able to give us tips should we conduct online classes in the future.

As required in the terms of the ExxonMobil scholarship I am planning to give faculty and then students a presentation on my experience in Dakar. I am planning to put the photos into a PowerPoint presentation. I hope to expand my students’ view of Africa by showing them a wide range of photos of Dakar.

I hope also to interest students in the possibility of studying abroad in Dakar. I gathered information from the Baobob Centre for students who may be interested in studying French and also I hope to encourage some students to spend a semester at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop. Students would need funding for either of these options so that I will help and encourage students to find and pursue scholarships and other funding opportunities.

Finally, I believe that my participation in the seminar will help me to better prepare students to participate as responsible citizens in the growing international community.