Lesson 3: 5.3 - People and Culture of Africa

How has ethnic diversity contributed to cultural diffusion and conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa?

genocide, famine, Gaza Strip, ethnicity, Golan Heights, colonialism, imperialism, Swahili, Bantu Migrations, race, Pygmies, Islam, urban, Maasai, religion, Night Walkers, seminomadic, Columbian Exchange, Pan-Africanism, Afrikaners, Congo River Basin, Forest Kingdoms, desert, Darfur, civil war, Muslims, Bantu, hunter-gatherer, migration, overpopulation, overgrazing, indigenous, cultural diffusion

3.INQ 6-8.6 - Gather relevant information from multiple sources while using the origin, authority, structure, context, and corroborative value of the sources to guide the selection.
ECO 6-7.3 - Explain how changes in supply and demand cause changes in prices and quantities of goods and services, labor, credit, and foreign currencies.
GEO 6-7.8 - Evaluate the influences of long-term, human-induced environmental change on conflict and cooperation.

Depth of Knowledge (DOK) Level 4: Extended Thinking


Analyze a Complex Problem: Understand the historical, cultural, and political complexities of Russia's diverse ethnic regions.
Research and Synthesize Information: Gather information from various sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of the issues.
Create Innovative Solutions: Propose creative and feasible solutions to promote peace and unity.
Communicate Persuasively: Develop a persuasive pitch and proposal to convince the Russian government to implement their ideas.
This level of thinking involves investigating complex questions, analyzing multiple perspectives, and creating innovative solutions.

Students may think that Sub-Saharan Africa includes the entire continent. Students should understand that Sub-Saharan Africa includes all nations south of the Sahara Desert. Sub-Saharan Africa does not include the countries of Morocco, Western Sahara, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.
Students may think that Africa is mainly desert land. Students should understand that Sub-Saharan Africa is divided into four distinct physical regions: West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and southern Africa. They should also understand that these regions include grasslands, coastal plains, tropical rain forests, and significant waterways. Students should be aware that Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest percentage of people engaged in agriculture in the world and that the land is rich in natural resources including, petroleum, gold, and diamonds.
Students may think that ethnicity and religion are the only contributors to conflict in the region. Students should understand that scarcity of resources has also contributed to conflict in Sudan and Sierra Leone and has caused crises among human populations resulting in large numbers of deaths as well as migrations.
Students may think that European colonization resulted in many different ethnic groups. Students should understand that only southern Africa has three distinct ethnic groups that evolved from European colonization: English-speaking Africans who descend from British settlers, Afrikaners who descend from the Dutch, and Portuguese-speaking Africans who descend from Portuguese settlers.

Journal entry, letter, diary letter, government bill/parliament bill

Provide a clear and accurate summary of a problem acing Africa and identities a solution, has relevant and accurate description of a solution, contains no misinformation or content errors

Teacher Guide

Student Guide

Journal 

Laptop