Senegal and New Orleans in the Atlantic World

Catalog description

New Orleans and Senegal are closely linked by culture and history dating from the 18th century Atlantic World to the present. Students in this course will engage in a cultural immersion program that explores the connected and comparative histories and cultural traditions of New Orleans and Senegal. The Republic of Senegal, which achieved independence in 1960 after more than a century of French colonial rule, is arguably one of the most democratic countries in West Africa. Senegal has a population of nearly13.5 million, with 2.5 million living in Dakar, the political and economic capital, and one of West Africa’s most vibrant cities. St Louis, a major port and administrative center during French colonization, and New Orleans have often been described as sister cities, and in many ways that's accurate. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the vitality, resilience, and global breadth of contemporary African and African diaspora communities.