African Studies

The African Studies Program encourages teaching and scholarship on sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the wider African diaspora. Our program is a focal point for students and faculty members with expertise in African studies, encouraging course offerings related to Africa, promoting study abroad programs and internships, expanding African studies programming, and organizing campus and local community events pertaining to Africa.

What You Can Do with a Degree in African Studies

Students who pursue an African studies minor or graduate certificate hone essential skills such as critical thinking, domestic and international advocacy, policy development and analysis, and much more. Our alumni have launched successful careers in:

  • Arts and culture
  • Science, health, and technology 
  • Nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations
  • Nonprofit organizations and public interest groups
  • Consulting firms
  • Research institutes
  • Colleges and universities

Our Degree Programs

The African studies minor is an interdisciplinary program that exposes undergraduates to the study of the African continent through courses as well as experiences outside of class. Graduate students in a University of Oregon MA or PhD program may pursue a graduate specialization in African studies.

Assistant professor Habib Iddrisu

Learn from Experts in the Field

Our faculty comprises experts from all over campus and the world who conduct interdisciplinary research on a broad range of topics. Faculty members from the fields of journalism, history, ethnomusicology, anthropology, geography, economics, and more who have an expertise in Africa teach classes in their own fields with an emphasis on Africa.

Student taking photos of art

Get Real-world Experience

Our students enrich their studies by traveling the world and immersing themselves in other cultures through study abroad programs and global internships. They also organize and participate in campus and community events to help promote awareness of African culture.

Scholarships and Funding

Students pursuing a minor or graduate specialization in African studies can apply for a variety of fellowships, programs, scholarships, and other opportunities to help fund their education.

Undergraduate Scholarships 
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Students in the African Studies Program can seek academic support, career counseling, and other advising services through Tykeson Hall or by consulting our program advisor. 

Undergraduate Advising 
Support for Graduate Students

Humanities News and African Studies Events

INDIGENOUS, RACE, AND ETHNIC STUDIES; NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES - Kirby Brown, along with co-editors Stephen Ross and Alana Sayers, win the Modernist Studies Association award for Best Edited Collection for the "Routledge Handbook of North American Indigenous Modernisms."
INDIGENOUS, RACE, AND ETHNIC STUDIES; NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES-In a special surprise delivered straight to their classrooms, eight professors learned they won a 2023 Distinguished Teaching Award. The Distinguished Teaching Awards recognize exceptional teaching that is inclusive, engaged and research-informed. This year’s winners are Jocelyn Hollander, Faith Barter, Alex Zunterstein, Kirby Brown, Robin Hopkins, Tannaz Farsi, Patricia Rodley and Michael Moffitt.
The UO’s Environment Initiative has awarded seed funding to five new teaching projects to support faculty members who have proposed innovative courses and dynamic classroom experiences. The funding supports both research and curricular projects and focuses the intellectual energy and work of faculty, students and community partners on a just and livable future through transdisciplinary research, teaching and experiential learning.

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Drawing Science Workshop
Sep10
Drawing Science Workshop Sep 10 Knight Library
Overcoming Academic Perfectionism
Sep12
Overcoming Academic Perfectionism Sep 12
2024 Electrochem PNW Conference
Sep19
2024 Electrochem PNW Conference Sep 19 Willamette Hall
2024 Electrochem PNW Conference
Sep20
2024 Electrochem PNW Conference Sep 20 Willamette Hall
Graduate Employee Day of Teaching
Sep25
Graduate Employee Day of Teaching Sep 25 Willamette Hall
The Achievement of James Joyce
Sep28
The Achievement of James Joyce Sep 28 Baker Downtown Center
13th Annual SPICE Science Open House 2024
Oct9
13th Annual SPICE Science Open House 2024 Oct 9 Willamette Hall
Dept. of History Graduate Student Welcome Back Barbecue
Oct10
Dept. of History Graduate Student Welcome Back Barbecue Oct 10 Wayne Morris Family Farm Picnic Shelter
How to Use Career Resources on Campus for International Students
Oct10
How to Use Career Resources on Campus for International Students Oct 10
How to: Resume and Cover Letter tips (Workshop)
Oct14
How to: Resume and Cover Letter tips (Workshop) Oct 14 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall

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