The minor in African Studies focuses primarily on sub-Saharan Africa.  This region’s historical and current connections with North African and the neighboring Middle East, however, have led to the inclusion of up to six hours (two courses) on the latter areas among those approved for the African Studies minor.

 Successful completion of the minor requires 18 hours, or six three-hour courses, taken from at least two departments and within the categories below.  To count for minor credit, each course needs to be passed with a grade of C or higher.

 The approved course list is subject to change as departments add or drop courses with substantial African content.

 A.       Core courses—six hours, or two courses, selected from the following:

1.       HIST 106, Introduction to African History

2.       GEOG 228, Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa

3.       ANTH 307, Cultures of Africa

 B.       Courses on North Africa and the Middle East—at least three hours (one course) and no more than six hours (two courses), selected from among:

1.       ARAB 121, Beginning Arabic

2.       ARAB 122, Beginning Arabic

3.       ARAB 201, Intermediate Arabic  

4.       ARAB 202, Intermediate Arabic

5.       ARAB 398, Selected Topics

6.       HIST 104, Introduction to the Civilization of the Islamic Middle East

7.       HIST 348, North Africa from Colonialism to Revolution: 1830-1962

8.       HIST 349, Contemporary Middle East and North Africa

9.       HIST 386/RELG 354, Islamic Institutions and Traditions

 C.      Additional courses—two or three courses selected from the following (enough to add up to 18 hours for the minor):

1.       ECON 505, International Development Economics

2.       ENGL 348, African Literature

3.       FREN 453, Francophone Literatures and Cultures

4.       GEOG 569, Environment and Development

5.       HIST 351, Africa to 1800

6.       HIST 352, Africa since 1800

7.       HIST 566, Problems in the History of Africa South of the Sahara

8.       POLI 380, Comparative Politics of Developing Countries

9.       POLI 432, Nationalism and Ethnicity in World Politics

10.    POLI 433, Economic Aspects of International Politics

11.    SWAH 121, Beginning Swahili

12.    SWAH 122, Beginning Swahili

Note:  In addition, a student may petition the African Studies Program to accept for credit towards the minor special topic or independent study courses with substantial African content.