As an Africanist anthropologist and educator, my main goals in teaching are: to explore the varied histories and cultures of Africa and its Diasporas, to address misconceptions about Africa and people of African descent, to get students to reflect on their own cultures before judging others, and to encourage students to enact and embody what they are learning. My pedagogy incorporates self-reflection and performance, and it is my hope that the classroom can become a transformative space. Please see my statement of teaching philosophy for more information about my general approach to teaching:

Covington-Ward Statement of Teaching Philosophy (PDF) >

Current and Past Courses

University of Pittsburgh

  • Introduction to Africana Studies (Fall 2009, Fall/Spring 2010, Fall/Spring 2011, Summer 2012, Spring 2012, 2014, 2016)
  • Power and Performance in Africa (Fall 2010, Winter 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2015)
  • Women of Africa and the African Diaspora (Fall 2009, Spring 2011, Spring 2014, Spring 2016)
  • Cultures of Africa (Winter 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2013, Fall 2015)
  • Global Diasporas (Fall 2014, Fall 2016)

University of Michigan

  • Black Performance Culture in the Atlantic World (Winter 2009)
  • Introduction to Anthropology (Spring 2006, Winter 2009)
  • Introduction to Africa and its Diasporas (Spring 2008)