African Studies, contrary to some accounts, is not a separate
continent in the world of American higher education. Its
intellectual borders touch those of economics, literature,
history, philosophy, and art; its history is the story of the
world, both ancient and modern. This is the clear conclusion
of "Africa and the Disciplines," a book that addresses
the question: Why should Africa be studied in the American
university?
This question was put to distinguished scholars in the social
sciences and humanities, prominent Africanists who are also
leaders in their various disciplines. Their responses make a
strong and enlightening case for the importance of research
on Africa to the academy.
Paul Collier's essay, for example, shows how studies of African economies have clarified our understanding of the small open economies, and contributed to the theory of repressed inflation and to a number of areas in
microeconomics as well. Art historian Suzanne Blier uses the terms and concepts that her discipline has applied to Africa
to analyze the habits of mind and social practice of her own
field. Christopher L. Miller describes the confounding and
enriching impact of Africa on European and American literary
theory. Political scientist Richard Sklar outlines Africa's
contributions to the study of political modernization,
pluralism, and rational choice. These essays, together with
others from scholars in history, anthropology, philosophy,
and comparative literature, attest to the influence of
African research throughout the curriculum.
For many, knowledge from Africa seems distant and exotic.
Thesepowerful essays suggest the contrary: that such
knowledge has shaped the way in which scholars in various
disciplines understand their worlds. Eloquent testimony to
Africa's necessary place in the mainstream of American
education, this book should alter the ac

Résumé
Addresses the question: Why should Africa be studied in the American university? Put to scholars in the social sciences and humanities, prominent Africanists who are also leaders in their various disciplines, their responses make a strong case for the research on Africa.