Fulbright African Research Scholar Enlightens Students: Photogallery

Students in literature, as well as sociology, enjoyed a special lecture and discussion with Dr. Okaka Opio Dokotum, Fulbright African Research Scholar, on November 25.

Engaging in a conversational interview time with host Dr. Michael Vander Weele, professor of English, Dokotum shared his thoughts on both his scholarly and creative writing endeavors and his recent work in film criticism.

Dokotum is associate professor of literature and film at Kyambogo University in Kampala, Uganda, and his writing includes a play, poetry collections, and a children’s book. Through the Fulbright grant, he is pursuing his current research “Re-imaging African Literary Scholarship through Film Adaptation Studies” at Northern Illinois University’s department of English.

English major Ethan Holmes ’15 of Blue Island, Illinois, said he appreciated the way Dokotum “articulated his commitment to his call in Christ, even as a recognized member of his academic and artistic community. 

“The significance of our shared purpose and desires in the work we do, even coming from wildly different contexts, was not lost on those of us who were privileged to hear him speak. God is good,” said Holmes.

The professor offered advice on writing, especially as it relates to personal and oral tradition and the Christian perspective.

Following the interview with Vander Weele, Dokotum answered questions from students about writers who inspire him and the definition of “authentic” African literature, as well as the amazing diversity of the country itself.