David Olali, PhD
comparativist. theorist.
Dr. David Olali is the Assistant Director/Academic Associate Professional at the University of Georgia's African Studies Institute, Athens, Georgia, U.S.A. With broad interests that connect multiple domains of theories and practices, Olali is deeply invested in the academic study of religion as a field (broadly construed). His work examines and engages themes such as the politics of scriptures, leadership, globalization, ethnicity, power, violence, and justice, and their implications on culture and society, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Follow--or contact--Dr. Olali to learn more about his research work.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
CURRENT EXPERIENCE
University of Georgia, Athens
Georgia, U.S.A.
2023 - Date
I have both administrative and teaching responsibilities at the University of Georgia.
Teaching Responsibilities:
- AFST 2100, Intro to Africa (offered every semester): This is the course flagship African Studies course at UGA.
- AFST 4200, Critical Issues in Contemporary Africa (sequel to AFST 2100) (Spring)
- AFST 4465/6465, Globalization and Indigenous Cultures in Africa (split-level [grad & undergrad] - Fall)
- AFST 7010, Graduate Introduction to African Studies (Fall)
- AFST/REL 1200, Introduction to Study of African Religion (Fall), & more
Administrative Duties:
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Coordinator of African Studies Institute Academic programs ( advising students for the undergraduate Certificate and Minor, and graduate Certificate)
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Managing curriculum-related issues for the institute
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Supervisor to graduate teaching assistants (GTA) working in the African Studies Institute
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Serving as secondary host to visiting scholars in African Studies Institute
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Serving as primary representative and coordinator of all current African Studies Institute’s international working relationships, & more.
ONGOING COLLABORATIONS
Comparative Heritage Project
The CHP research examines the various forms and uses of meaning among humans in culture and society.
Inquire about how to collaborate
The FSI research looks at the connections that exist between religion, food, and security.
IJI a media and digital project that focuses on issues that affect the Ijaw people of the Niger Delta.
The Jesus Project
The Jesus Project is a research that is looking into the economic and political history of signifying Jesus in the Two-Thirds World. Especially, it is an innovative research that deploys digital resources in understanding iterations of the Jesus phenomena among colonized and subjugated peoples.
The Jesus Project
The Jesus Project is a research that is looking into the economic and political history of signifying Jesus in the Two-Thirds World. Especially, it is an innovative research that deploys digital resources in understanding iterations of the Jesus phenomena among colonized and subjugated peoples.