AFRICA: Africa World Press Guide

compiled and edited by WorldViews

Introduction

The print edition of Africa: Africa World Press Guide to Resources from and about Africa opens with three chapters that provide general introductory resource materials on Africa, its fifty-three nations (in North and Sub-Sahar an Africa), and its diverse peoples. The introductory chapters are followed by twenty-five subject-oriented chapters. These have been arranged in rough alphabetical order according to their topical focus. The topics are deliberately mixed—belief system s followed by cinema followed by conflicts, for example—in order to emphasize the point that, like societies everywhere, African societies are a rich mix of strengths and weaknesses, problems and potential, beauties and tragedies. Each c hapter is given four pages (with the exception of the overview chapter).

The resources in the chapters are listed by title, with the author and date in parentheses. Readers should consult the Reference List and the Directory of Organizations at the back of the directory for full bibliographical details for the titles cited and contact information for the publishers and distributors. Additional resources are cataloged in sections entitled Supplementary Resources (pp. 112-114 in the print edition), African Literature (115-117), Films and Videotapes (118-129), and Curriculum Resources (pp. 129-138). Note that the Reference List (pp. 139 -179) contains many more titles than are listed in the body of the directory. The Names Index lists individuals whose works appear in the topical chapters or in the Reference List. No subject index is provided since the chapters themselves are subject-ori ented. We have made every effort to include complete bibliographical data and ordering information for each of the resources, but if information is found to be outdated, insufficient, or inaccurate we invite readers to contact WorldViews at or (510) 451-1742.

Critical educational perspectives

Educating about Africa demands a heightened sensitivity to the abundance of misinformation and stereotypes that cloud perceptions of Africa's nations and peoples. We encourage readers to contact the outreach centers at local colleges or universities for help in evaluating Africa-related print and audiovisual educational resources. The Outreach Center at Boston University's African Studies Center has a particularly good collection of educational materials, along with a valuable checklist for use in evalua ting Africa-related educational resources. Contact Barbara Brown, Outreach Director, African Studies Center, Boston University, 270 Bay State Rd., Boston, MA 02215, USA. Tel: (617) 353-7303. Email: <bbbrown@bu.edu>.

Another recommended source for critical perspectives on educational resources is Africa Access, 2204 Quinton Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA. Tel: (301) 587-5686.

WorldViews

WorldViews AFRICA is a regional division of WorldViews, a non-profit organization that collects, organizes, publicizes, and promotes the greater use of print and audiovisual materials that offer fresh perspectives on issues of peace and justice in world a ffairs. WorldViews maintains a clearinghouse of books, pamphlets, periodicals, and organizational information related to these issues and, since 1984, has published a 28-page magazine that alerts readers to new print and audiovisual resources on world affairs: WorldViews: A Quarterly Review of Resources for Education and Action (ISSN 1085-7559). For information, visit the WorldViews Website or write WorldViews: .