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Major

Major

The African Studies Major is a multidisciplinary program designed to offer students the opportunity to develop their understanding of various aspects of the African continent, including issues that deal with Africa in World History, Africa and the Global Political Economy, Africa within the new Global International Relations, Africa and International Development, peace studies, conflict resolution, as well as courses that recognize the diversities of culture, race, ethnicity, religion and other socioeconomic groupings on the continent. The program utilizes historical, cultural, geographical, economic, and political approaches to equip students with skills to undertake research on issues pertinent to Africa and to prepare themselves for careers in a range of professions as well for post-graduate studies.

Requirements

For the B.A. degree in African Studies, a minimum of 123 credits is required.

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)

General Education: 45 credits 
(0-9 credits of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR) 

First-Year Seminar:
(Included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

United States Culture and International Cultures: 
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

Writing Across the Curriculum: 
(Included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

Electives: 9-18 credits

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements: 24 credits 
(3 of these 24 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR, GENERAL EDUCATION, or ELECTIVES and 0-12 credits are included in ELECTIVES if foreign language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.) 
(See description of Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements in this bulletin.)

Requirements for the Major: 45 credits
(This includes 0-9 credits of General Education courses: 3 credits of GA courses; 3 credits of GS courses; and 3 credits of GH courses)

Prescribed Courses (12 credits) 

  • AFR 105 GN: Environments of Africa: Geology and Climate Change
  • AFR 110 GS: Introduction to Contemporary Africa 
  • AFR 191 GH; Early African History
  • AFR 192 GH: Modern African History 

(Sem: 1-4)

Additional Courses (33 credits) 
Select 15 credits from the following (100-300 level courses):

  • AFR 150 GH: Africa in Cinema
  • AFR 197(3): Special Topics 
  • AFR 199: Foreign Studies
  • AFR 202 GS: Women, Gender, and Feminisms in Africa
  • AFR 294(3-6): Research Project
  • AFR 297(3-6): Special Topics
  • AFR 299 (3-6): Foreign Studies
  • AF AM 302 US
  • AFR 395(3): Internship
  • AFR 399
  • AF AM 100 GS
  • AF AM 211 GH
  • ART H 335 GA
  • ECON 102 GS
  • ECON 104 GS

(Sem: 1-4)

Select 18 credits with at least 12 from AFR or AFR cross-listed courses:

  • AAA S 403 IL
  • AFR 405: African Studies Methodologies
  • AFR/PL SC 434: War and Development in Africa
  • AFR/PL SC/IB 440: Globalization and Its Implications
  • AFR/PL SC 443: Ethnic Conflict in Africa
  • AFR/PL SC 454: African Resources and Development 
  • AFR/PL SC 459: Culture and World Politics
  • AFR 464: Extractive Industries in Africa
  • AFR 494H: Research Project
  • AFR 495: Internship
  • AFR 496: Independent Studies
  • AFR 497: Special Topics 
  • AFR 499: Foreign Studies
  • GEOG 436
  • GEOG 444
  • GEOG/LER 475H
  • PL SC 481 

(Sem: 5-8)

Last Revised by the Department: Spring Semester 2012

List of all African Studies Courses

Advising

Kristie Kalvin is the academic adviser for African Studies. If you would like to know more about the opportunities available for graduates of the African Studies majors and the curriculum, you can schedule an appointment or inquire about walk-in hours by calling her at (814) 865-5588. Click here to schedule an appointment with an adviser.

Kristie Kalvin

Academic Advisor