Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Textbooks are inherently flawed. I do not like them. Nevertheless, they seem necessary. As textbooks go, this one is fairly good. It presents opposing viewpoints on various complex and contested issues that affect Africans and Africa. Topics range from excision (female circumcision) to economic development to the origins of corruption. It is good for giving American students, who are generally thoroughly ignorant about Africa (well what do you expect when their vision of Africa comes from Disney's "The Lion King"...), some insight into the complexity of this immense continent.
On the positive side, the "articles" or viewpoints are written by recognized experts who are able to highlight some of the major arguments for or against a position in a relatively concise manner. The book also has an introduction and historical overview that situates the "problems" it explores. I would also note that it includes with every debate a list of further resources.
On the negative side, it is "problem" focused so it tends to reinforce the already-existing stereotype prevalent in the US and the West in general that Africa is a "problem" and one that has to be resolved by outsiders. Also, although the contributors are, without question, experts in the field(s) of African studies, very few of them are Africans (I am not African and I teach African studies, but it is nice to have a bit of balance).
I would not base my entire class upon this book. I use it with one or two other texts and with a number of films (African films) in my classes. However, used in that context, it has been effective at generating discussion and debate and in getting students to understand that contemporary Africa is not what most American students think it is, that Africans do not conform to the stereotypes that the American media creates of them, and that the problems that face Africa and Africans are sufficiently complex that they cannot be quickly and easily resolved (if they could be, Africans would have resolved them).
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This Third Edition of TAKING SIDES: CLASHING VIEWS ON AFRICAN ISSUES presents current controversial issues in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Each issue is thoughtfully framed with an issue summary, an issue introduction, and a postscript. An instructor's manual with testing material is available for each volume. USING TAKING SIDES IN THE CLASSROOM, ISBN 0073343900 is also an excellent instructor resource with practical suggestions on incorporating this effective approach in the classroom. Each TAKING SIDES reader features an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites and is supported by our student website, www.mhcls.com/online.
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