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African Studies Minor

A minor in African Studies is an ideal complement to a disciplinary major. It provides a multidisciplinary grounding in an important world area for those who want to pursue careers in a range of professions as well as for those who intend to go on to graduate school. Four different concentrations are possible, allowing students to tailor the minor to their own interests and needs. In addition to the tracks listed below, it is possible to do a general minor by taking courses from several of these concentrations.

Whether choosing the general minor or one of the track options, all students must take ONE of the following courses (3 credits each):

  • AFS 2002 The African Experience
  • AFH 2000 Africa in World History
  • HUM 2420 African Humanities

Students opting for a general minor must also take four courses (12 credits) from across the disciplines; at least three of these must be at the 3000 level or above. All minor tracks require a total of 15 credits.

Track One: Languages and Linguistics

At least one two-semester sequence of an African language at the intermediate or advanced level (6 credits). Summer intensive language study may also be counted towards this requirement. Languages currently offered include Akan, Amharic, Arabic, Swahili, Wolof, Xhosa, and Yoruba. Others may become available in the future – please inquire with the undergraduate coordinator. In addition, one of more courses from the relevant offerings in Languages Literatures & Cultures, or Linguistics. At least two of these courses must be at the 3000 level or above.

Languages and Linguistics (Track I)

AKA 2200/01 Intermediate Akan I/II
AHM 2200/01 Intermediate Amharic I/II
ARA 2200/01 Intermediate Arabic I/II
SWA 2200/01 Intermediate Swahili I/II
WOL 2200/01 Intermediate Wolof I/II
XHO 2200/01 Intermediate Xhosa I/II
YOR 2200/01 Intermediate Yoruba I/II
AKA 3410/11 Advanced Akan I/II
AHM 3410/11 Advanced Amharic I/II
ARA 3410/11 Advanced Arabic I/II
SWA 3410/11 Advanced Swahili I/II
WOL 3410/11 Advanced Wolof I/II
XHO 3410/11 Advanced Xhosa I/II
YOR 3410/11 Advanced Yoruba I/II|
SSA 3730 Language in African Societies
ARA 4400/01 Fourth Year Arabic I/II
ARA 4420 Arabic through Texts
ARA 4850 Structure of Standard Arabic
SSA 4905 Individual Study
SWA 4905 Swahili Oral Traditions
ARA 4930 Colloquial Arabic
ARA 4930 Arabic in Africa: Past & Present
SSA 4930 Special Topics in African Studies 

Track Two: Arts and Literatures

Four or more courses from the relevant offerings in Languages Literatures & Culture, Art History, Music, or Theatre and Dance, for a total of 12 credits. At least two of these courses must be at the 3000 level and above.

Arts and Literatures (Track II)

DAA West African Dance & Music (2 credits)
DAA 2381 World Dance & Intercultural Performance**
MUN 2491 World Music Ensemble**
MUH 2530 Popular & Traditional Musics of Africa
ARH 3525 Arts of West Africa
ARH 3526 Arts of Central Africa
AFS 3800 Childhood in African Literature & Cinema
SST 4110 African Folktales
YRW 4130 Readings in Yoruba Literature
LIT 4194 African Literature in English
SST 4502 African Oral Literature
YOR 4502 Yoruba Oral Literature
FRW 4770 African Literature in French
AFS 4935 Art, Culture & Power in Africa 

Track Three: Culture, History, and Politics

Culture, History, and Politics (Track III)

AFH 3100 Africa to 1800
AFH 3200 Africa since 1800
CPO 3204 African Politics
AFH 3342 History of West Africa
REL 3370 Religions of Africa
AFH 3405 History of East Africa since 1800
AFS 3500 History of Islam in Africa
YOR 3500 Yoruba Diaspora in the New World
AFH 4250 Modern Africa
AFH 4253 African Women in the 20th Century
AFS 4260 Africans Abroad
AFH 4293 Politics & Violence in Africa since 1800
AFH 4302 History of North Africa
AFS 4315 Critical Issues in Contemporary Africa
ANT 4352 Peoples of Africa
ANT 4354 Anthropology of Modern Africa
AFH 4450 Southern Africa
AFH 4930 Research Seminar in African History
AFS 4935 Women & Politics in Africa
AFS 4935 Human Rights in Africa
AFS 4935 African Economic Development
AFS 4935 Africa in the Global Economy 

Track Four: Environment, Resources, and Development

Four or more courses from the relevant offerings in Anthropology, Food and Resource Economics, Forest Resources and Conservation, Geography, History, Political Science, or Wildlife Ecology, for a total of 12 credits. At least three of these courses must be at the 3000 level or above, and no more than two courses should be from any one discipline.

Environment, Resources, and Development (Track IV)

AFS 3300 Poverty & Development in Africa
GEA 3600 Geography of Africa
AFS 4240 The African Family
AEB 4282 International Humanitarian Assistance
AEB 4283 International Development Policy
AFH 4291 History of African Agriculture
AFS 4340 Community Conservation & Rural Development in Africa
AFS 4345 Political Economy of Conservation in Africa
AFS 4350 HIV/AIDS in Africa
AFS 4935 Food & Agriculture in Africa
AFS 4935 African Economic Development
AFS 4935 Africa in the Global Economy
GEO 4938 Management of Protected Areas: Africa & the Americas

 

New Africa-related courses in each of the four tracks may count toward the minor as they become available. Please consult the undergraduate advisor concerning the eligibility of any particular course. Transfer credits from approved study abroad programs in Africa or from other U.S. colleges and universities may be counted toward the minor upon verification by the African Studies undergraduate advisor.

University of Florida students seeking to apply study abroad credit must take at least one three-credit course in residence. Transfer students from other institutions must take at least two three-credit courses in residence at UF.

All courses for the minor must be completed with a grade of C or better. Students considering an African Studies minor are encouraged to consult with the African Studies undergraduate advisor. Those who wish to declare a minor in African Studies must meet with the undergraduate advisor at the Center for African Studies.

Awarding of the minor will occur upon certification by the African Studies undergraduate advisor that the applicant has completed all of the requirements. The minor will appear on the student’s University of Florida transcript.

For further information or consultation, please contact:

Dr. Todd H. Leedy
(352) 392-2183
tleedy@ufl.edu