Dr. Scott Rosenberg
As I return from sabbatical for my eighth year at Wittenberg, I hope to build on some of my existing courses to introduce some new material. Since arriving at Wittenberg, I have sought to develop both a broad and specific course of study in African History. I have tried to provide a breadth of courses to attract those of casual interest as well as those wanting to more detailed study. The courses I offer range from two surveys of African History (Africa to 1500 and Africa since 1500) to a survey of South Africa. For those students interested in contemporary Africa, this year I will be offering a class that will examine several instances of civil wars/genocide in post-colonial Africa. This class represents a challenge as it could reinforce stereotypes about Africans, however, I feel that this class has the potential to help us get past those images and gain a better understanding of the root causes of these tragedies. As a southern Africanist, I also have two upper level classes focusing on South Africa. One is a seminar on the origins of Apartheid in South Africa and the African responses, and the other is a comparative racial history focusing on South Africa and the United States. In addition to teaching classes about Africa, I also offer two mid-level classes on African-American history. For the last four years I have been able to combine my interest in African-American history, American racial history, and my love of baseball in a class on the “Negro Leagues.” I have also recently begun to teach a survey class which focuses on the African-American struggle for freedom and equality from the 17th century to today.
Academic Background
Ph.D. Indiana University
M.A. Ohio University
B.A. Kenyon College
Awards and Recognitions
2006 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching
2006 SOCHE Award for Faculty Excellence in Teaching
2005 Omicron Delta Kappa Teaching Award for Excellence
1995-96 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Award
2003-2004 Honorary Member of the Classes (Wittenberg)
Recent Publications
"South African and Global Apartheid: the experience of Basotho labor in the South African gold mines and Taiwanese owned textile factories," Safundi 8:4 (October 2007)
Historical Dictionary of Lesotho (Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 2004).
Courses Fall 07
HIST 170 Contemporary Africa
HIST 173 Settlers and Liberators of South Africa
WTSM 100 Impact of Racism in the 20th Century
Research Interests
On a professional level I have served as United States editor of the online journal, Safundi (safundi.com), which publishes comparative work focusing on the United States and South Africa. Also, my book manuscript, Promises of Moshoeshoe: Culture, Nationalism and Identity in Lesotho, is forthcoming from the Institute of South African Studies Press.
Other Interests/Info
Africana Studies
Global Studies
Internships
Habitat for Humanity
Outside the classroom I have served as the advisor to the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. The student volunteers never cease to amaze me. Right now we are finishing WittBuild, a three year campaign to raise money for a house that will be built by Wittenberg students.
Since the summer of 2003, I have taken a total of 87 Wittenberg students to the southern African Kingdom of Lesotho for 30 days. Lesotho holds a special place, as it is where my love for Africa was kindled during my time as a Peace Corps Volunteer there. During our stay in Lesotho we spend 10 days helping build houses for Habitat for Humanity and 4-5 days building playground equipment, repairing a roofs, and planting gardens at the Maseru Children’s Village. We have also volunteered at other orphanages and a pediatric AIDS clinic. In addition to our volunteer work, we have several lectures from local professors and participate in a number of cross-cultural activities. On our way home we have been treated to 4 days of game viewing while on Safari in Kruger National Park in South Africa. I am planning on taking another group in the summer of 2008.
Dr. Rosenberg in the News
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