Undergraduate Studies

A small group of students pose in front of the On Top of the World sculpture at Heavener Hall, UF. The students are smiling at the camera, each of them placing one hand in the center, on top of each others' hands. The On Top of the World sculpture at Heavener Hall, UF depicts a Gator on top of a globe.

The Center is proud to host a rich, diverse academic environment for the study of Africa at the undergraduate level. Students are also encouraged to learn more about lectures and events hosted through our many Center-sponsored organizations. To view the current calendar, click here.

Undergraduate Minor

Students interested in African Studies are encouraged to pursue a minor in conjunction with their major studies. Minor tracks offered through the Center currently include:

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

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

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

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

Coursework in African Studies

Take a look at our course offerings to consider experiencing African Studies through a wide variety of academic perspectives on topics such as gender, religion, development, literature, politics, health, environmental conservation, art, and culture. Students are also encouraged to continue their education in African Studies internationally through one of our study abroad programs.

Program in African Languages

The Center for African Studies currently offers seven African languages in close collaboration with the Department of Languages, Literatures, & Cultures. The Program in African Languages offers courses throughout the Academic year and during the summer. Students can study African language at UF or abroad, and are encouraged to consider one of multiple funding opportunities to pursue their language studies.

Why learn an African language at University of Florida?

Fulfill your UF foreign language requirement
Expand your opportunities to visit, travel, and work in Africa
Prepare for the expanding global market
Get jobs in research, Peace Corps, teaching, business, military & humanitarian organizations
Enhance your credibility as a researcher

Center for African Studies