African Studies
The Institute of African Studies offers an interdisciplinary major and minor focusing on the histories, societies, and cultures of the peoples of Africa. Both major and minor emphasize mastering empirical knowledge about Africa as well as theories and methods central to its study.
Concentrations
Faculty
- Director
- Bayo Holsey
- Director of Undergraduate Studies
- Subha Xavier
- Core
Courses
AFS 100-Level Courses
Introductory-level African Studies language course. May be repeated for credit when language varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Introduces first-year students to the interdisciplinary field of African Studies, including historical context, sources, and methods of inquiry; aims to improve critical reading, analytical, and writing skills in small group discussion.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- FS
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
AFS 200-Level Courses
This course introduces the history of the peoples of Africa. It begins with African civilizations in ancient times and runs through the 1880s, when the African continent was divided into European colonies. It concentrates on people and civilizations indigenous to Africa.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 220
This course introduces the history of the peoples of Africa. It begins with African civilizations in ancient times and runs through the 1880s, when the African continent was divided into European colonies. It concentrates on people and civilizations indigenous to Africa.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HSWE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 220W
Traces the gradual incorporation of Africa into an expanding world economy and examines the impact of this incorporation on the development of African societies and modern nation states.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 221
African women's history is rich and layered. In this course, we examine historical changes women faced from precolonial, colonial and postcolonial Africa. We read primary and secondary sources, with the goal of understanding historical changes and problematizing ahistorical gender analysis.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 222
- WGS 222
African women's history is rich and layered. In this course, we examine historical changes women faced from precolonial, colonial and postcolonial Africa. We read primary and secondary sources, with the goal of understanding historical changes and problematizing ahistorical gender analysis.4
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HSWE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 222W
- WGS 222W
Introduction to the African humanities and social sciences through in-depth study of three African regions. Explores major historical trends and their impact on culture, including the slave trade, colonialism, and postcolonial international contacts. Content is drawn from literature (both written literature and oral traditions), film, history, religion, anthropology, sociology, and art.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HA
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
An introductory course on African Studies. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
An introductory course on African Studies. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 5
- GER
- CW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Anthropological perspectives on the people and cultures on different regions of the world. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. HSC, may be repeated when topic changes.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- ANT 280R
This course focuses on arts linked to the African continent as well as operations of museums. It examines how objects enter museum collections and what information accompanies objects when they arrive at museums. The course does not require previous study of Africa, African arts, or museums.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HA
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- ARTHIST 282
AFS 300-Level Courses
This course primarily examines literary and cinematographic artistic productions of the five African countries whose official language is Portuguese. Students formulate responses in Portuguese to the various themes addressed in the different texts and films, both orally and in writing.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- IC
- Requisites
- PORT 201 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- PORT 302
This course primarily examines literary and cinematographic artistic productions of the five African countries whose official language is Portuguese. Students formulate responses in Portuguese to the various themes addressed in the different texts and films, both orally and in writing.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- ICW
- Requisites
- PORT 201 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- PORT 302W
Introduction to the evolution, diversity, and social significance of human diet and nutrition.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- ANT 311
The varied experience of women in Africa, with attention to the impact of colonization and decolonization on women's lives and cultures.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
How do we understand the events that recently erupted with different degrees of violence in North African and Middle Eastern countries? Why were experts including diplomats, pundits, and politicians taken by surprise? How do media outlets like CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera cover this "social uprising"?
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- SOC 319
- FILM 319
- MESAS 319
Politics of sub-Saharan Africa are examined, with emphasis on the major issues of social and political analysis as well as the African economic predicament and its political implications.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- POLS 334
- AAS 334
This course will examine sexual violence and gender in conflict, transitional justice, and post-conflict.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- WGS 345
This course is a systematic and empirical journey through the economic, political and governance landscapes of Europe, Middle East and North Africa through a comparative assessment of the evolution of state institutions and markets.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- MESAS 353
This course is a systematic and empirical journey through the economic, political and governance landscapes of Europe, Middle East and North Africa through a comparative assessment of the evolution of state institutions and markets.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HSCW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- MESAS 353W
Traditional genres of African art with a focus on masks and figure sculpture in West and Central African city-states and chiefdoms from 1500 to European colonization. May be repeated for credit when topic changes, up to a maximum of twelve hours.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HAP
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- ARTHIST 355
- AAS 355
Political, social, economic, and cultural history of sub-Saharan African civilizations, from the rise of the Sudanic empires through the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- AAS 364
- HIST 364
Political, social, economic, and cultural history of sub-Saharan African civilizations, from the rise of the Sudanic empires through the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HSWE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- AAS 364W
- HIST 364W
Slavery is not an unchanging systems rooted in the past. We will examine the nature and diversity of slavery in Africa, from 1300s to 1900s, and interrogate the significant role slavery, slave trades, racism, colonialism, and forced labor have played in shaping the African past and present.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 365
Slavery is not an unchanging systems rooted in the past. We will examine the nature and diversity of slavery in Africa, from 1300s to 1900s, and interrogate the significant role slavery, slave trades, racism, colonialism, and forced labor have played in shaping the African past and present.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HSWE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 365W
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore issues in economic development viewed from the perspective of sub-Saharan Africa from the impact of slavery and colonialism to the modern era of globalization.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- This course requires ECON _OX 100 or ECON 101 or ECON_OX 101 or FIN 201 AND ECON 112 or ECON_OX112 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- ECON 366
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore issues in economic development viewed from the perspective of sub-Saharan Africa from the impact of slavery and colonialism to the modern era of globalization.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HSCW
- Requisites
- This course requires ECON _OX 100 or ECON 101 or ECON_OX 101 or FIN 201 AND ECON 112 or ECON_OX112 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.
- Cross-Listed
- ECON 366W
Evolution of South Africa from a society based on the principle of systematic racial segregation to a multiracial democracy. Origins of racial segregation and apartheid, nationalist struggles, challenges of post-apartheid development.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 367
The course explores human trafficking from the era of the trans- Atlantic slave trade to present-day instances of trafficking in productive and reproductive labor. Through primary and secondary sources, the students learn about the racial and gender ideologies undergirding this phenomenon.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 378
- ANT 378
- LACS 378
The course explores human trafficking from the era of the trans- Atlantic slave trade to present-day instances of trafficking in productive and reproductive labor. Through primary and secondary sources, the students learn about the racial and gender ideologies undergirding this phenomenon.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- HSWE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 378W
- ANT 378W
- LACS 378W
This course is an interdisciplinary survey and analysis of the formation of Atlantic African identities, cultures, and societies in the Western Hemisphere since the 16th century.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HSCE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- AAS 380
- HIST 380
Treatment of the major issues raised by the new genres of art that have resulted from the African experience of European colonization.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- HAPE
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- ARTHIST 365
May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- HSC
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 5
- GER
- HSCW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
A course of readings decided in consultation with a member of the faculty. Instructor permission required to enroll.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
AFS 400-Level Courses
Jr/Sr Colloquium. This course is an exploration in world history, with a particular interest in how humans have altered planetary processes such as climate. A central issue will be understanding the historical development of capitalism.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- CW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- HIST 456W
Analysis of economic behavior in low income countries, with attention to factors that promote or inhibit sustainable development, such as local cultural practices, migratory patterns, and foreign investment.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- SOC 468
Study of particular subjects pertaining to African Studies. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Study of particular subjects pertaining to African Studies. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 5
- GER
- CW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Study of particular subjects pertaining to African Studies. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Open to students approved by the department to write an honors thesis.
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GER
- XA
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
Open to students approved by the department to write an honors thesis.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 8
- GER
- CW
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None
A course of readings decided in consultation with a member of the faculty. Instructor permission required to enroll.
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GER
- None
- Requisites
- None
- Cross-Listed
- None