Africa

Case Study Project

In order to earn credit during the third marking period, you will
participate in the Wilma Theater workshops and performance
development as well as researching and developing a presentation
on an African country.

Individually or with one other student you will

create a lesson presentation on a country in Africa.

STEPS

1. Choose a partner. (You could work individually if you prefer)

Due date ______________________________
Notes

2. Choose three countries that you would like to learn more about. (For this project you will study
one country in depth, but we ask for three countries here because we will use this information to
assign you a country. Dont forget: there are 54 countries in Africa).
Due date ______________________________
Notes



3. Create a timeline of important dates and events in the countrys history.
Due date ______________________________
Notes



4. Describe the geography of this country and how these geographic features have historically
(before 1800s) shaped the countrys social, religious & economic practices.
Due date ______________________________
Notes



5. Describe the colonial period and its effects on the country. Who colonized the country? What was
the period of occupation like for people in the country? What developments (social, religious and
economic) took place during the period when the country was a colony?
Due date ______________________________
Notes

Using maps, photos, political cartoons and other images, music, video clips is encouraged =)

6. Description of the people who live in the country. Are there tensions between different ethnic or
religious groups? If so, why?
Due date ______________________________
Notes



7. Describe the country today. Is it a prosperous country? A safe country? What challenges do people
who live there face?
Due date ______________________________
Notes



8. Describe an event or person in the countrys history (or the contemporary period) that has had a
major influence. Identify the influence.
Due date ______________________________
Notes



9. Once youve gathered sufficient information about your country you will need to choose an inquiry
question.

An inquiry question is the identification of a specific problem that you plan to answer using evidence that you find. For
example, in one of the lessons on Somalia, my inquiry question was How did colonization contribute to Somalias
instability post-independence? If you recall, I found two texts that described the differences in treatment of the colonies
between the British and Italian colonial masters, theorizing that Britain left their Somalian colony largely undeveloped,
while the Italians spurned economic development in their Somalian colony leading to differences in political and economic
power between clans in the ex-British colony and the ex-Italian colony that eventually led to tensions and civil war.

Due date ______________________________

Notes



10. For this project you and your partner will develop a lesson to teach the class about the country
youve chosen. You can create a power point presentation, a reading and writing activity, a role-
play activity, etc Your lesson should provide students with information to answer your inquiry
question. Note: You may decide that youd like to focus your lesson on a concrete point in your
countrys history or the present. In this case, you may feel that some of the information required in
parts 1-6 is not needed for your presentation. This may be so! Nevertheless, you are required to submit
these components as a part of your project even if you do not include them in your presentation.
Due date ______________________________
Notes

P.S. This project is meant to be a rewarding learning experience. Mr. Ackerman and I will be here to guide and support you.