Undergraduate Programs

Why Choose African Studies?  

African studies is not only a way to understand Africa, it is a way to expand your understanding of the world and its histories. Our program focuses on the study and analysis of sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the wider African diaspora. An African studies minor enriches your understanding of the social, economic, cultural, historical, linguistic, geopolitical, ecological, and biomedical factors that shape African societies.

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Minor in African Studies

Interested in exploring Africa’s diversity and and analyzing the issues of contemporary life on the continent? In interdisciplinary courses taught by professors from a wide range of departments, you can study the geopolitical factors that shape African societies while learning Swahili, Arabic, Portuguese, or French—or travel back in time to discover ancient Egypt and West African kingdoms.

Minor Requirements 


Learn an African Language

Develop your skills in an African language spoken by millions of people around the globe. Students in the African Studies program can take three years of Arabic or Swahili language courses and earn credits toward their minor.

African Languages


Students at a clinic in Accra

Get Real-World Experience

Deepen your understanding of African societies by studying in another part of the world, develop vital job skills in a global internship, or share your passion for African studies by raising community awareness of African culture.

Experiential Learning

An archway in Ghana

What You Can Do with an African Studies Degree

An African studies minor can prepare you to work in many fields. Learn about possible careers and hear from alumni.

Explore Careers


Advising and Academic Support

Schedule an appointment with an advisor and get your questions answered.

Departmental Advising and Support

Scholarships and Awards

Learn about ways to apply for funding to support your studies.

Explore Scholarships and Awards


Events

The BIG10 Grad Student and Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event
Oct23
The BIG10 Grad Student and Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event Oct 23
Encoding and Decoding Story, Place, and Self: Towards Situated Environmental Journalism in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Oct23
Encoding and Decoding Story, Place, and Self: Towards Situated Environmental Journalism in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Oct 23
Fall Career & Internship Expo
Oct23
Fall Career & Internship Expo Oct 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Building Conflict-Resilient Academic Communities: Responses to October 7 in the University of Haifa Law School
Oct23
Building Conflict-Resilient Academic Communities: Responses to October 7 in the University of Haifa Law School Oct 23 John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student Athletes
Archaeological Research on Ancient Alexandria, Egypt, Presented by Dr. Thomas Faucher
Oct23
Archaeological Research on Ancient Alexandria, Egypt, Presented by Dr. Thomas Faucher Oct 23 Allen Hall
Global Justice Program Lecture by Nathan J. Robinson
Oct23
Global Justice Program Lecture by Nathan J. Robinson Oct 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Jeremiah Public Lecture: "Consent and Sexual Violence in Contemporary Japan: Rethinking Autonomy, Choice, and Equality Under the Law"
Oct27
Jeremiah Public Lecture: "Consent and Sexual Violence in Contemporary Japan: Rethinking Autonomy, Choice, and Equality Under the Law" Oct 27 Chiles Hall
Department of History Coffee Hour
Oct28
Department of History Coffee Hour Oct 28 McKenzie Hall
Seminar - “A Biophysical Perspective on The Evolution of Multi-Conformation Proteins”
Oct28
Seminar - “A Biophysical Perspective on The Evolution of Multi-Conformation Proteins” Oct 28 Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact
Experiential Learning Opportunity Scholarship Info Session
Oct28
Experiential Learning Opportunity Scholarship Info Session Oct 28 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall