About the Talk:
This presentation promotes the role of Africa and Africanists in the broad field of Border Studies, and in particular what Africa contributes to Border Theory beyond empirical case studies. The argument insists that the time when Euro-America provided the theory, while Africa provided a field for data collection, exemplification and conceptual testing has passed. It also involves a claim that the European and North American archive in the field is suffering some enervation, and that African border studies can provide a source of reinvigoration.
About the Speaker:

David B. Coplan is Professor Emeritus in Social Anthropology at the University of The Witwatersrand. He has been researching and writing about South African performing arts and media since 1976. He is the author of numerous publications, including most notably "In Township Tonight! South Africa's Black City Music and Theatre" (1986) - revised, enlarged and published in a second edition in 2007.

Prof. Coplan is also a specialist in the ethnographic history and performance culture of the Basotho of southern Africa. His related works include 'In the Time of Cannibals: the Word Music of South Africa's Basotho Migrants' (Chicago 1994) and the film "Songs of the Adventurers" (Constant Spring Productions 1986).

Prof. Coplan appears frequently on South African radio and television as an arts, culture and media commentator. He has also written extensively for the popular press and a general readership beyond academic publishing.

Location:	Room 201, International Center
Sponsor:	African Studies Center
Contact:	Liz Timbs timbseli@msu.edu
Share: Facebook Twitter Download event (.ics) Print