Professor: Dzidzienyo Course format: Seminar Number of respondents: 6 Total Enrollment: 7 Class Composition: Froshs: 0 Sophs: 2 Jrs: 2 Srs: 2 Concs: 0 Non-Concs: 5 Don't Know: 1

Instructor Average: 1.28 Course Average: 1.27

Afro-Am 121, "African Slavery and its Consequences for Brazilian Society," is a seminar course involving discussions about the race-relations in Brazil. Most students felt that a cursory background in Latin American and Brazillian race issues would help in understanding the material presented. Nevertheless, such a background is not imperative. In addition, students advised that one must have a great predilection for reading in order to appreciate Afro-Am 121.

Although students felt that Professor Dzidzienyo was very demanding, they raved over his teaching skills. He made class discussions fun and mentally challenging, forcing people to approach issues from many different perspectives. He also made it clear that he appreciated students" contributions by being attentive to everyone"s comments. He is obviously passionate about what teaching and the material he teaches, thus encouraging his students to also enjoy the class. Some students went as far as to claim that he was the best professor they had ever had at Brown.

The workload was fairly heavy, for students devoted about 5-10 hours to the class. There were weekly readings amount to one substantial book per week. Most felt that these readings were heavy quantitatively but very worthwhile, necessary, and helpful. There were also 2-3 page response papers to each book and a 15-20 page final paper.

The students unanimously lauded Afro-Am 121 as a wonderful and inspiring course. They loved the material and thought that Professor Dzidzienyo was an amazing teacher. Each student devoted a great deal of effort to this class without ever feeling that they were overwhelmed. Instead, attending class and doing the reading was pleasurable because of all the motivation and encouragement. Reading period was not observed due to the necessity to finish the course and a dinner party at the professor"s house.

Students raved both about the class and about Professor Dzidzienyo. If you have any interest at all in Latin America and Brazil, take the class! You will feel inspired and contemplate issues from perspectives you have never explored before. The workload may be slightly heavy but entirely worthwhile and fulfilling.

View AA/0121 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.