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Somali Civilization and Culture (SOMI 1400)
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Credits:
3
Description:
This course acquaints you with aspects of the culture and civilization of the Somali-speaking peoples. The course will be taught in English, and topics will be selected from among the areas of the arts, literature, and history to allow you to gain an awareness of cultural, social, religious, and linguistic aspects of the target culture. You will develop an understanding of the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future by comparing and contrasting your own culture with that of Somali-speaking peoples. You do not need to know Somali language to take this course.
Topical Outline:
1. History, geography, economy, and political structures of the countries
2. Current events: social, political, environmental concerns, etc. (both those issues which impact the society under study and those which have world-wide implications).
3. Daily life: education, religion, and philosophy
4. Customs and traditions – e.g. legends and folklore
5. The Arts: literature (in translation), art, music, and/or film
Learning Outcomes:
1. Appreciate (recognize and value) the art, music, and literary traditions of the culture being studied
2. Compare and appreciate their own culture in a world context and their role as a world citizen
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of and a sensitivity to cultural, social, religious, linguistic, and political differences and similarities between the culture under study and their own culture
4. Understand social concerns from historical, political, geographical, and economic perspectives
5. Analyze and synthesize materials presented in the course
MnTC: