The inaugural summer program of our Dakar: Arts, Literature and Social Movements (May 14-June 27) was a great success. 11 students from across Emory College and Oxford College along with 4 students from Université Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal and 2 doctoral program assistants from the Laney Graduate School participated in the 6 week program. Dakar: Arts, Literature and Social Movements  was co-led by Emory Professor Subha Xavier and Oxford Professor Bamba Ndiaye. Students took courses in English, French and Wolof, learned about and experienced Dakar’s vibrant art scene while developing a basis in African art history and theory. This core course included several visits to art galleries, museums, and conversations with artists based in Dakar. Students then chose between two course offerings, one in Senegal’s rich literary and cinematic history and the other exploring social protest movements across the continent. Final projects included a protest map of Dakar complete with interviews with eye witnesses in Wolof, meetings with writers, filmmakers and even a visit to a film school dedicated to cinematic postproduction. Some of our students pursued individual research and creative projects while in Dakar, while others participated in internships in their chosen areas of interest with environmental and social justice organizations, an internationally renowned couturier, global think tanks, a medical clinic devoted to maternal and infant health, and more. Weekend excursions to Gorée Island, the Lampoul Desert, the coastal cities of Saint Louis and Toubab Dialaw completed this exciting trilingual summer program.

Visit the IAS Facebook and Instagram accounts to see more pictures of this wonderful adventure.

The Dakar summer program will take place again in May-June 2026. Applications will open in December 2025. Interested students should contact Jacquelyn Charlton. Students majoring or minoring in African Studies, African American Studies and/or French will be given priority.