Forwarded by Jeremy Butler, for more information, contact Laura Arntson, [log in to unmask] ______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________ Subject: African Media Program Reinitiated Author: Laura Arntson <[log in to unmask]> Date: 8/29/96 8:18 AM The African Studies Center at Michigan State University has re-initiated the AFRICAN MEDIA PROGRAM (AMP), with the financial support of the U.S. Department of Education and the university. We have launched a major effort to index, annotate, and critique the A-V media concerning Africa and to identify the high quality documentary film, cinema, and television images of Africa amidst a vast amount of inaccurate, dated, and stereotypical films in the marketplace. We also will be active in disseminating this information to users of media concerning Africa. In re-inaugurating this program, we shall build on public praise and criticism for AFRICA ON FILM AND VIDEOTAPE: A COMPENDIUM OF REVIEWS (1982), in which we listed several thousand productions and critiqued almost 700. Now, we are in the midst of creating a new definitive reference database by identifying, indexing, and critically reviewing extant films and videos on Africa between 1981 and 1996. We expect to continue with this ongoing project. Media reviews will be based on critiques by African colleagues and other country and subject area specialists. These reviews, with filmographies, will be disseminated electronically over the WWWeb and also published in both compact disk (CD-ROM) and print formats. We will also index and annotate other educational A-V media, including transparencies, filmstrips, slides, CD-ROMs, and maps. We value your participation and welcome your assistance with this project by: - alerting us about forthcoming African media productions or activities in your field or area; - sending us reviews and articles or references concerning any media on Africa; - identifying new media that should be given high priority for review; - critiquing our reviews as they appear and giving us your reviews for including in our WWWebsite; - noting problems or errors you have found in our 1982 AFRICA ON FILM AND VIDEOTAPE Compendium that we should correct in the new electronic and print publications (e.g., errors in style, format, content, balance, etc.); and - loaning us copies of films and videos for review. A driving goal of the AMP is to increase the quality and quantity of research and teaching about Africa. Specifically, our goal is to encourage the use of realistic and appropriate audio-visual materials pertaining to Africa in: graduate film and literary studies; the full range of graduate and undergraduate African studies (in general education, disciplinary, and area studies courses), and secondary and elementary curricula. Although the Program will focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, North African materials also will be included. Sincerely, Laura Arntson, Ph.D. Coordinator, African Media Program John Metzler, Ph.D. Co-Director, African Media Program Coordinator, Outreach Program, African Studies Center David Wiley Director, African Studies Center and African Media Program Professor of Sociology * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * African Media Program African Studies Center - Michigan State University 100 Center for International Programs East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1035, U.S.A. phone: 517-432-0057 - fax: 517-432-1209 e-mail: [log in to unmask] ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]