Contextualization

Introduction

Africa is composed of numerous countries rich in culture, biodiversity, and natural resources. However, its history is marked by long periods of colonialism and exploitation, bringing consequences that still have a strong impact on the continent's social, political, and economic structures.

The processes of globalization that have accelerated in recent decades have played a central role in shaping contemporary Africa. Global dynamics, involving issues such as modernization, development, and economic growth, have shaped and continue to shape the relationships of African countries with the rest of the world.

To understand this context, it is important to understand concepts such as neocolonialism, ethnocentrism, and racism, as well as the processes of development and modernization in their historical, political, economic, and environmental dimensions. Africa is not a homogeneous continent, and therefore, it is crucial to investigate the diversities and complexities present in its various regions and countries.

Importance of the theme and its real-world application

Understanding Africa in a globalized world is essential to grasp the current dynamics of international relations and the challenges and opportunities that the continent faces. Furthermore, discussing Africa helps us reflect on broader issues such as global inequalities, the exploitation of natural resources, and human rights.

Africa is a continent that has a significant impact in various areas, from culture to the global economy. Major international powers have shown increasing interest in the continent, whether for its wealth in natural resources or its market potential. Therefore, understanding Africa's position in the globalized world is crucial to comprehend many of the current global dynamics.

Resource Suggestions

To delve deeper into the topic, students can rely on the following resources:

1. Book: "General History of Africa" - available for free on the UNESCO Open Access platform. This material provides a wide range of information on the history of Africa, from antiquity to contemporary times.

2. Website: Africa: Histories and Cultures - This portal was created by the Federal University of Santa Catarina and offers a wide variety of information and resources on African history and culture.

3. Documentary: "Africa's Great Civilizations" - available on YouTube platform.

Practical Activity - "The Africa and Globalization: A Multidisciplinary Approach"

Project Objective

This project aims to deepen students' knowledge about the situation of Africa in the globalized world. This will be done through the investigation, analysis, and presentation of a chosen African country by the group, considering various dimensions (historical, geographical, political, economic, social, environmental, and cultural).

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members. Each group must choose an African country to investigate and analyze, considering the mentioned dimensions.

The project will be conducted in stages, with each stage corresponding to a dimension for analysis. The final work will be structured as a mini-documentary, where students will present the information and analysis collected throughout the stages.

Required Materials

1. Internet access for research
2. Books, articles, and documentaries relevant to the topic
3. Video editing program (can be as simple as Movie Maker)
4. Text editing program for script writing and report

Project Step-by-Step

1. Choosing the African country and task division

Each group should choose an African country to study and divide the tasks among the group members according to the dimensions to be analyzed.

2. Research and information gathering

Students must conduct in-depth research on the chosen country in all requested aspects. It is recommended to use the suggested resources in the introduction, but other sources should also be explored. Take notes on all information and sources consulted for later use in the report and documentary.

3. Script development

With the collected information, each group should develop a script for the mini-documentary. The script should be organized into sections corresponding to each analyzed dimension, with brief comments or analyses connecting the collected information to the theme of "Africa in the globalized world" about the chosen country.

4. Recording and editing the mini-documentary

Using the script, students should record and edit the mini-documentary. Recordings can be done with a cell phone or webcam and may include images, graphics, maps, or any other visual resources that help present the information clearly and engagingly.

5. Report writing

In parallel with the documentary recording, students should write a report detailing the research and production process of the mini-documentary. The report should include the topics of Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used, with a final reflection on what was learned through the project.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the week, each group must deliver:

1. The finalized mini-documentary, with a duration of 10-15 minutes
2. A written report containing:
   • Introduction: Describing the chosen country, the importance of the study, and the project's objective.
   • Development: Detailing the research process, the methodology used, the documentary production, and the analysis of the theme "Africa in the globalized world" about the chosen country.
   • Conclusions: Reflecting on the obtained results, what was learned, and the discoveries made throughout the project.
   • Bibliography: Listing all sources used during the research.

This project should be done collaboratively and interactively, encouraging communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.