African Studies, Minor

Program Code: AFRST_UMNR

Program Description

The minor in African Studies is designed for students interested in exploring the political, historical, socioeconomic, and cultural aspects of Africa. The minor provides students with the opportunity to examine both the totality of Africa and/or specific geographical and cultural regions from several disciplinary perspectives.

What is African Studies?

Africa is a vast continent that is now transforming politically and economically at an unprecedented pace. Its rich history, resources and spirit of creativity makes it more than ever the continent of hope and opportunity that will see rapid development in the years to come! African Studies will help students develop their understanding of various aspects of the African continent, including topics such as Africa in World History, Africa and the Global Political Economy, Africa and International Relations, Africa and International Development, peace studies, and conflict resolution. We also have courses that emphasize the diversities of culture, race, ethnicity, and religion 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.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You’re passionate about gaining skills to think critically, and speak and write articulately about Africa and its peoples.
  • You’d like to explore the world through study-abroad opportunities to countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Ghana and Tanzania.
  • You’d like to learn more from our faculty who actively teach, conduct research and publish in such topics as African history, politics, art, literature, economics, geography, linguistics, African feminism, demography and health.

Program Requirements

Requirement Credits
Requirements for the Minor 18

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
AFR 1103
AFR 191Early African History Keystone/General Education Course3
AFR 192Modern African History Keystone/General Education Course3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 9 credits (including 6 credits of AFR courses at the 400 level) of the following:9
African Biodiversity and Conservation Keystone/General Education Course
Women, Gender, and Feminisms in Africa Keystone/General Education Course
Poverty in Africa Keystone/General Education Course
South Africa Today
African Studies Methodologies
War and Development in Africa
Globalization and Its Implications
Ethnic Conflict in Africa
Government and Politics of Africa
AFR/PLSC 459
Extractive Industries in Africa
Internship
Independent Studies
Foreign Studies
Introduction to African Literatures Keystone/General Education Course
African Drama
African Novel
ECON 413W
ECON 475W
African Literature of French Expression
Geographic Perspectives on Global Urbanization
Resource Governance in Africa
Global Political Economy

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

Career Paths

Students with Liberal Arts degrees and minors in African Studies have found careers in a wide array of fields. These include US government, international business firms, international think tanks, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations that operate in a wide array of activities in Africa including primary and secondary education, the arts, religion, drought mitigation, wildlife management, and community development. Some students continue on to Graduate School, so our program also aims to help train graduate students, who will have a comparative advantage for African Studies-related employment in academia, bilateral and multilateral agencies.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Contact

University Park

AFRICAN STUDIES PROGRAM
133 Willard Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-5406
jle1@psu.edu

https://africanstudies.la.psu.edu