Professor: Townsend Course format: Lecture w/Discussion Number of respondents: 14 Total Enrollment: 26

Class Composition Froshs: 3 Sophs: 8 Jrs: 6 Srs: 8 Concs: 4 Non-Concs: 9 Don't Know: 0	Instructor Average: 1.67 Course Average: 1.77

"Black Africa in Anthropological Perspective" analyzes the belief systems and social organizations with an emphasis on class gender inequalities in the context of colonial and postcolonial attitudes. It is an upper-level Anthro course, but has no prerequisites and students mentioned that no previous experience was even particularly helpful.

Most of the class thought Professor Townsend was an excellent instructor: easy-going, approachable, and enthusiastic about the subject. Opinions diverged regarding his openness to students' views, but most agreed his lectures kept them interested. Some felt he sometimes got off-track in such a way that they did not understand what the point was or where he was headed with the things he said. However, the dominant view was that Townsend led the class very well and taught the material quite clearly.

None of the class complained about the workload, which included weekly reading, two exams, two papers and a presentation. Most respondents spent about four hours each week on this course, although some put in a great deal more time because they enjoyed the assignments. The class fully observed Reading Period.

The greatest value in this course involved its encouragement to thinking about the questions the subject posed. Most students enjoyed the written assignment as they let them explore the topics as they chose. Professor Townsend put the subject into a perspective that made independent thought about the material worthwhile.

This course is an excellent choice for anyone who has little to no Anthro background, but has an interest in Africa or anthropology in general. Several respondents concluded the course was worth taking just to have Townsend as a teacher.

View AN/0111 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.