CURRICULUM VITAE

February 2006

 

Akinloyè A. Òjó

Assistant Professor

Department of Comparative Literature

University of Georgia

 

RESEARCH AREAS:

a. Yoruba Language and Linguistics

- Descriptive studies of Yoruba language

- Lexical expansion in Yoruba language  

- Yoruba onomasiology.

b. Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching

- Teaching and acquisition of Yoruba as a second language

- Use of technology in Yoruba language acquisition

- Development of pedagogical materials

 

c. Language, Culture and Society

            - Language attitudes and choices of Bi-dialectal African Americans

            - Yoruba culture and society

            - Language and Nigerian society

- Poetry: English and Yoruba

 

EDUCATION:

            University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. Ph.D. Linguistics. 2001.

University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. Graduate Certificate, Women’s Studies. 1999.

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. MA Linguistics (General). 1996.

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. BA Linguistics (African). 1991.

 

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:

National African Language Resource Center (NALRC), University of Wisconsin,

Madison. Summer Teacher Training Institute, 2001 and 2002.

Center for Language Education and Research (CLEAR), Michigan State University,

E. Lansing, MI. Materials & Technology Development Workshop, Summer 1997. 

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. International Teaching Assistant Training.

Office of Instructional Support, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Graduate Teaching Development Workshop, Fall 1993 – Spring 1994.       

            Bida Local govt., Niger State, Nigeria. Personnel Management Training, July, 1992.                                             

EMPLOYMENT:

University of Georgia, Comparative Literature Department & African Studies Institute:

Assistant Professor. August 2004 – Present.

University of Florida, Department of Asian and African Languages and Literature:

            Visiting Assistant Professor. June – August 2005.

University of Georgia, African Studies Institute & Comparative Literature Department:

Academic Professional Associate. July 2002 – June 2004.

            University of Georgia, African Studies Institute: Instructor. January, 2001 – June 2002.

            University of Georgia, African Language Program, Comparative Literature Department:

Instructor. 1996 – 2002.         

University of Georgia, Linguistics Program: Instructor. Fall 1996.

            University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, African Studies Program:

Instructor. Summer 2000 and Summer 2001.

            Yale University, New Haven, CT, African Studies Program: Instructor. Summer 1999.

            Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics:

Language Instructor. 1993 – 1996.

            Dabot Ventures (Nig.) Ltd., Bodija, Ibadan, Nigeria: Operations Manager. 1992 – 1993.

            Government Technical College, Eyagi, Bida, Nigeria, English Department: Lecturer.

1991 – 1992.

            National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Bida/Gbako Local Governments, Niger State,

Nigeria: Corps Liaison Officer (CLO in charge of over 1000 Corps members in

two local governments). 1991 – 1992.

            Supreme Communications, Mokola, Ibadan, Nigeria: Foreign News Correspondent.

1990-1991.

                                   

TEACHING:

University of Georgia: 1996 – present

YORB 3990 (Directed Study: Yoruba Language, Culture and Literature).

1996 – Present

YORB 1010, 1020, 2010, 2010: Beginner through Intermediate Yoruba (annual).

1996 – Present.

AFST 4200/6200: Critical Contemporary Issues in African Development. 2003 – 2004

            AFST/ANTH/CMLT 3030: Introduction to African Languages and Cultures.

2004 – Present.

AFST/ANTH/CMLT/GEOG/HIST/SOCI 2100: Introduction to Africa (A multi-

disciplinary and cross-listed course). 2001 – Present.

FRES 1010: More than the Naked Tribes (Freshman Seminar) Fall 2005

FRES 1010: Language and Society in Africa (Freshman Seminar). Fall 2002

LING 490 (Special Topics in Linguistics). 1996.

 

University of Florida: Summer 2005

            YOR 1121: Beginner Yoruba II

 

University of Wisconsin: Summer 2000 and Summer 2001

            African Language and Literature 371 & 372.

 

Yale University: Summer 1999

            Yoruba I @ the Summer Cooperative African Language Institute (SCALI)

 

Cornell University: 1993 – 1996

            Yoruba I, II, III (annual), 1993-1996

 

Government Technical College, Eyagi, Bida, Nigeria: 1991 – 1992

            English Language      

           

COURSES DEVELOPED:

YORB 1010, 1020, 2010, 2010, 3010, and 3020: Beginner through Advanced Yoruba.

AFST 4200/6200: Critical Contemporary Issues in African Development.

            AFST/ANTH/CMLT 3030: Introduction to African Languages and Cultures.

 

TEACHING AWARDS:

Outstanding Teacher Award, Student Government Association (SGA), University of

Georgia, Athens, Georgia. January, 2004.

Award of Excellence (for contribution to the learning and teaching of Yoruba Language

and Culture in the United States), Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education,

Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos, Nigeria. May, 2002.

Outstanding Teacher Award, Student Government Association (SGA), University of

Georgia, Athens, Georgia. January, 2002.

            Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.

                        April, 1999.    

 

OTHER AWARDS, GRANTS AND HONORS:

            Who’s Who of Africans in America: 2005– 2006. New York: US-African Publishing Inc.

IANSD Spirit Award, International Association of Nigerian Studies and Development.

                         September, 2005.

Nominee, The Pillar of the Community Award, S.O.A.R Awards, Division of Student

Affairs, University of Georgia. April 2004 (1 of 4 Finalists)

Research Grant ($298,000), US Dept. of Education Grant Award P017A030073 for the 

Development of Yoruba Online Materials. June, 2003.  (Co-PI: Lioba Moshi).

Outstanding Service and Contribution Award (Faculty Advisor), African Students Union

(ASU), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. April, 2002.

Fellowship, National African Language Resource Center (NALRC), University of

Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Stipend plus meals and board for the

Summer Institute for African language instructors and program coordinators. April, 2002.

Chancellor’s Award ($1090), Georgia University System Faculty Development Seminar.

March 2002. (Award funds for summer travel to East Africa declined) 

Award of Excellence (in recognition of exemplary service in the promotion of

undergraduate studies, Outreach, and program development in African Studies),

African Studies Institute, University of Georgia. February, 2002.

Fellowship, National African Language Resource Center (NALRC), University of

Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Stipend plus meals and board for the Summer Institute

for African language instructors and program coordinators. April, 2001.

Excellent Service Membership Award, African Language Teachers Association (ALTA).                         

April, 2000.                                        

            Dissertation Research Grant Award ($500), Institute of African American Studies,

University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. January, 1999.                               

            Humanities Dissertation Research Grant Award ($500), Center for Humanities & Arts,

                        University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. October, 1998.

            Federal Post-secondary Education Project Award ($3,500). For the development of

                        teaching modules for African languages (a model project). National Foreign

Language Center (NFLC), Washington, D.C. September 1998 - April 1999.

Fellowship, Center for Language Education and Research (CLEAR), Michigan State       

                        University, East Lansing, MI. $500 plus meals and board for the development of                          

computer based teaching materials for Yoruba language instruction. June, 1997.    

 

INVITED LECTURES AND PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS:

Speaker, 7th Annual Series of Understanding Ancient Traditions and Cultures of the

World. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. September 17, 2005.

Presentation:   “Yoruba Extended Family Structure in the Era of Westernization.”

 

Speaker, Language Teaching Workshop for African Language Teachers and

Foreign Language Coordinators. The University System of Georgia Certificate in

African Studies Project (CIASP). Georgia Coastal Center, Savannah, Georgia.

March 31, 2005.

            Presentations:  “Teaching African Languages with Technology” (@11am)

                                    “Local and National Concerns in the Teaching of African Languages”

(@2:45pm)

 

Speaker, University of Georgia Comparative Literature department, Athens, Georgia.

February 6, 2004.

Presentation:   “What is in a name: The Structure and Pedagogical Utility of Yoruba

Personal names.”

 

Distinguished Lecturer, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education Distinguished                                                

Lecture Series #5, Lagos, Nigeria. Tuesday, May 21, 2002.

            Presentation:   ‘The Challenges and Methodologies of African Language Instruction in

the West/United States.”

 

Speaker, Yale University African Council Seminar Series, New Haven, Connecticut,

Wednesday, April 24, 2002

            Presentation:   ‘What is in a Name: The Contents and Gendered Depiction of Yoruba

Personal Names, Praise Names and Aliases.’

 

Guest Poet, University of Georgia Center for Humanities and Arts Lunch-in-Theory.

Wednesday, September 12, 2001.

Presentation:   Poetry Reading from “In Flight” a collection of poems.

 

Guest Speaker, Cullum Lecture Series on World Religions, Augusta State University,

Augusta, Georgia. Monday, March 26, 2001.

            Presentations:  ‘Aspects of traditional Yoruba Religion’ (@10am)

                                    ‘Yoruba traditional ‘oògùn’: Medicine, Magic or Religion’ (@ 7pm)

                         

SCHOLARLY PANEL PARTICIPATION:       

Panelist, panel on “Hip Hop and Rap in Africa: Breaking Some Divides, Widening

Others” during the 65th Annual College Language Association Convention at the

University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia on April 7, 2005.

 

Moderator, panel on “Successful Year One African Language Teaching” during the

Workshop for African Language Teachers and Foreign Language Coordinators.

The University System of Georgia Certificate in African Studies Project (CIASP).

Georgia Coastal Center, Savannah, Georgia. March 31, 2005.

 

Convener and Chair, panel on “A Global Evaluation of the Instructional and Research

Activities on Yoruba as either a Foreign Language (FL) or as a Second Language

(L2)” during the 36th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL) at

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia on April 1, 2005.

 

Chair, panel on “Yoruba Morphology and Syntax during the 36th Annual Conference on

African Linguistics (ACAL) at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia

on April 2, 2005.

           

Conveyer and Chair, panel on “Teaching of Yoruba as a Second Language (L2) IN

Nigeria: Challenges, Achievements and the Effects of Globalization

during the 9th Annual Conference of the African Language Teachers Association

at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut on March 19, 2005

 

Chair and Discussant, panel on “Issues surrounding the use of English and French in

Africa” during the Africatalk Brownbag Lecture series at the University of

Georgia, Athens on October 16, 2002

 

Mediator, Memorial Roundtable panel on “Mongo Beti: Cameroonian Novelist: His Life,

Works and Influences” at the University of Georgia, Athens on October 8, 2002.

 

Chair and Discussant, panel on “African Language Instruction in the United States:

Problems, Challenges, and Successes from the Perspectives of Teaching

Assistants” during the 2nd Annual Conference of the African Language Teachers

Association at Michigan State University, Michigan on April 24, 1998.

 

SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS:

Linguistics and Language Teaching:           

“The Gains and Pains of Language Planning in Nigeria” presented at the Brown Bag

Lecture Series, African Studies Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. November 2, 2005.

“Words Without Action: Language and National Integration in Nigeria” presented at the

17th Annual Conference of the International Association of Nigerian Studies and

Development (IANSD), Raleigh, North Carolina. September 23, 2005.

“Teaching and Learning the Yoruba Language on AKOYE” presented at the

17th Annual Conference of the International Association of Nigerian Studies and

Development (IANSD), Raleigh, North Carolina. September 23, 2005.

co-presenter: Kole Ade Odutola.

 “A Confusion of Tongues: Linguistic Limitations on Nigerian Rap” presented at the 65th

Annual College Language Association Convention, University of Georgia,

Athens, Georgia. April 7, 2005.

“AKOYE: Teaching and Learning Yoruba Online” presented at the 9th Annual

Conference of the African Language Teachers Association, Yale University,

New Haven, Connecticut on March 19, 2005.

“Language Learning and the New Cadre of African Language Learners” presented at the

8th Annual Conference of the African Language Teachers Association, University

of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, April 30, 2004. co-presented with Semali Adelin and

Bheki Zungu.

“Assessing Students’ Strategy Use in African Language Learning.” presented at the                                 

7th Annual Conference of the African Language Teachers Association, Indiana

University, Bloomington, Indiana. April 12, 2003.

“English and French as African Languages: Historical Background and Contemporary

Challenges” co-presented with Bheki Zungu at the Brown Bag Lecture Series,

African Studies Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. October 22, 2002.

“Kíkó Àjòji ní Ède Yorùbá ní Ìlú Améríkà: Àkójopò Èrò àti Ìpèníjà.” Paper presented (in Yoruba)

at the 6th Annual Conference of the African Language Teachers

Association, Ohio University, Athens, OH, March 23, 2002.

“Integration of traditional proverbs into African language Instruction” co-presented with

Leonce Rushubirwa at the 5th Annual Conference of the African Language

Teachers Association, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, April 28, 2001.

“Using alternative materials and methodologies in Yoruba language instruction: Progress

Report” presented at the 4th Annual Conference of the African Language

Teachers’ Association, Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, April 17, 2000.

“Aspects of a Yoruba Language Learner’s Interlanguage” presented at the 2nd Annual    

                        Conference of the African Language Teachers Association, Michigan State U.,     

                        East Lansing, Michigan. April 24, 1998.

            “Meeting Students Expectations as a Teaching Assistant in an African Language

Program.” presented at the 2nd Annual Conference of the African Language

Teachers Association, Michigan State University, Michigan. April 24, 1998

“Using WebCt in African Language Instruction” co-presented with Lioba Moshi at the                            

2nd Annual Conference of the African Language Teachers Association,

Michigan State University, Michigan, April 24, 1998.

"Achieving Successful Instruction in Yoruba [SLA] Classrooms: The First Take"                                       

presented at the 1st Annual Conference of the African Language Teachers                                                

Association, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin. April 11, 1997

            "Word Incorporation" presented at the 27th Annual Conference on African Linguistics,                           

University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. March 30, 1996.

"Learning Yoruba as a Second language: A teacher-student perspective" co-presented with Justin Spence

at the 27th Annual Conference on African Linguistics,

University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. March 30, 1996.

"Patterns of Word Incorporation in Yoruba" presented at the Graduate Research

Workshop Forum. Linguistics Dept., Cornell, Ithaca, NY. December 15, 1995.

"Vowel structure and harmony in Ndjuka"  presented at the 26th Annual Conference on                          

African Linguistics. University of California, Los Angeles, March 26, 1995.

"Official Languages in Africa: Cultural and Political Implications" presented at the 

                        Seminar Series, Institute of African Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

                        January 23, 1995        

"Phonological processes affecting the syllable structure of Egun" presented first at the      

                        Cornell Phonetics Laboratory Talks. 03-16-94 and at the 25th Annual Conference

                        on African Linguistics. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. March 27, 1994.

 

Yoruba Language, Culture and Society:

“The Changing Face of the Nigerian Polity: Traveling Notes of a ‘Federate’ Native”

presented at the Brown Bag Lecture Series, African Studies Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. August 28, 2002.

"Praise Singing in Contemporary Yoruba Poetry" presented at the 23rd Annual

                        Conference of the Southern Comparative Literature Association, Athens, Georgia,

                        September, 27, 1997

"Half a Word is Enough for the Wise: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication in Traditional Yoruba Society"

presented at the 28th Annual Conference on African Linguistics,

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. July 12, 1997.

"Women and the Nuclear Family Structure: A cross-cultural Analysis" presented at the

                        Annual Conference of the Southeastern Women's Studies Association, Athens,     

Georgia. April 20, 1997

"Culture and Communication: An Analysis of the Yoruba Family Schema"

presented at the Southeastern Speech Communication Conference on Graduate Research,                        

Athens, Georgia. April 7, 1997

            "Aspects of Communication within Traditional Yoruba Society"

presented at the Southeastern Speech Communication Conference on Graduate Research,

Athens, Georgia. April 7, 1997.

"African 'Juju': Myth or Reality?" presented at the Africana Colloquium Series. Africana 

Studies & Research Center, Cornell University. November 17, 1993.

 

 

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES:

 

Editorial Boards:

Executive Editor, African Language Teachers’ Association (ALTA).

April 2004 – Present.

Editorial Consultant, Journal of Contemporary Educational Issues  

2003 – Present

Co-Editor, Edeyede Internet Living Yoruba Dictionary (USDE funded project).

Center for Africana Studies, Georgia Southern University, GA.      2002 – Present.

Member and Consultant, Yoruba Language National Editorial Board on the FIPSE

LangNet Project, National Foreign Language Center (NFLC), 1998 – Present

Editorial Consultant, Modern Language Journal. 1996 – Present.    

Editorial Consultant, Research in African Languages and Literature Journal (RALL).       

1997 – Present.

            Editorial Consultant, African Studies Quarterly Journal. September 2005 – Present

Editorial Consultant (Yoruba language, culture and society) for: Yale University

Press (Since 2004); Routledge Press (Since 2002); National African Language

Resource Center (NALRC), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (Since 1999)  

 

Linguistic Fieldwork:

2004:   Southwestern Nigeria:            4 week data collection: English words integrated into Yoruba

2002:   Ibadan, Nigeria:                      3 week data collection: Yoruba personal names

1996:   North America:                       3 month data collection (from native Yoruba residents): English

words incorporated into Yoruba (MA thesis).

1991:   Badagry, Nigeria:                    4 week data collection: Phonological data on Egun language

(B.A (Hon.) thesis).

 

Publications:

Sole Authorship:         

The Active Yoruba Classroom: In-Class Situations for Yoruba Language Instruction and Practice.

Lagos, Nigeria: Harade Associates. 2003.

In Flight: A Collection of Poems. Ibadan, Nigeria: Kraft Books. 2000.

           

Edited Works:

Ìlò-Èdè àti Èdá Ède Yorùbá (Yoruba Linguistics and Language Use). 2005. New Jersery:

Africa World Press. (Co-Editor: H.R. Adeniyi).

Vocalizing Africa: Viewpoints on Contemporary Issues of Governance, Education,

                        Resource Management and Health in Africa. California: Platform Press

Communications. 2004b.

            Curriculum Implementation and Professionalizing Teaching in Nigeria. Lagos, Nigeria:

Central Educational Service. 2004a. (Co-Editors: A.O.K Noah; Dada Olu

Shonibare; Tola Olujuwon).

 

Published Lecture:

The Challenges and Methodologies of African Language Instruction in the West/United

States. Lagos, Nigeria: Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education Press. 2002

 

Book Chapters:

“Fifi Yoruba We Awon Ede Miiran.” In Adeniyi and Ojo, Ìlò-Èdè àti Èdá Ède Yorùbá

(Yoruba Linguistics and Language Use). 2005. New Jersery: Africa World Press.

“Africatalk: the Power of Thought Sharing.” In Akinloye Ojo, Vocalizing Africa:

Viewpoints on Contemporary Issues of Governance, Education, Resource

Management and Health in Africa. 2004. California: Platform Press Co.

 “Forward” In Noah A.O.K and Ayodele A., Youth Management in Nigeria. Lagos,

Nigeria: Central Educational Service. 2002.

 

Biographies:

“Bamgbose, Ayo (b.1932).” Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics (Second Edition).

Oxford, U.K: Elsevier Ltd. November 2005.
Crowther, Samuel Ajayi (1806/08-91).” Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics

(Second Edition. Oxford, U.K: Elsevier Ltd. November 2005.

 

Book Reviews:

            Mwalimu Wa Kiswahili: A Language Teaching Manual. Lioba Moshi, Abdul Nanji,

                        Magdalena Hauner, and John Mtembezi Inniss (1999). Binghamton: Global

                        Publications, Institute of Global and Cultural Studies, Binghamton University.

                        126 pages. (In Press). JALLT (v.2): Journal of African Languages and Teaching.

                        (co-reviewer: Amy Addams).

 

Translations:

“English Renditions of Four Long Poems by Akinwumi Isola.” In Metamorphoses,

Volume 10.1. Spring. 2002.

             

Scholarly Articles:

“Meeting Student Expectations in an African Language Program within American

                        Academic Institutions.” (In Press). JALLT (v.2): Journal of African Languages

Learning and Teaching.

"What is in a Name: Yoruba Personal