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AFRST-NM - African Studies (NM)

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African Studies African Studies

Program Overview

The Center for African Studies (CAS) coordinates an interdisciplinary program in African Studies for undergraduates and graduate students. The program seeks to enrich understanding of the interactions among the social, economic, cultural, historical, linguistic, genetic, geopolitical, ecological, and biomedical factors that shape and have shaped African societies. CAS offers a certificate and a specialization in African Studies as part of the Global Studies minor. For further information, see the African Studies section of this bulletin.

Free Form Requirements

Minor in Global Studies with African Studies Specialization

The minor in Global Studies, African Studies specialization, offers students the opportunity to complement their major course of study with an in-depth, interdisciplinary exploration of the cultures, histories, politics, religions, and societies of Africa. The minor is especially well-suited for undergraduates who plan to make service, research, or study abroad in Africa as part of their Stanford experience. Students consult with their minor adviser to develop individual programs.

Learning Outcomes

The SGS minor specialization in African Studies enables students to:

  • develop critical knowledge and skills in African Studies

  • organize their interest in Africa into a coherent course of study through directed mentorship and participation in an intellectual community

  • prepare for research, study, or service in Africa

Upon completion of requirements, final certification of the minor is made by the Center for African Studies. The minor and the specialization appear on the transcript but they do not appear on the diploma.

Students from any major interested in applying for admission to this minor program should consult the minor adviser at the Center for African Studies. The minor is especially well-suited for undergraduates who plan to make service, research, or study abroad in Africa as part of their Stanford experience. For details on how to declare the minor and the African Studies specialization, click on "How to Apply" in the side menu.

Requirements

  1. A minimum of 25 units of Africa-related courses. Students may not double-count courses for completing major and minor requirements.

  2. GLOBAL 101 Global Studies Gateway Course (3 units).

  3. At least one quarter's exposure to a sub-Saharan African language. The Special Languages Program of the Language Center can arrange instruction in any of several languages spoken in West, East, Central, and Southern Africa. For a full listing of courses offered this academic year, visit the African Languages course page.

  4. One entry level course that covers more than one region of Africa.

  5. A designated focus of study, either disciplinary or regional, through a three course concentration developed with the minor adviser.

  6. A minimum 25-page research paper, with a focus on Africa. This paper may be an extension of a previous paper written for an African Studies course. Other approaches to fulfilling the capstone requirement may be accepted with the approval of the Director of African Studies.

    • Students present their work in an end-of-year capstone seminar with other SGS minors and led by SGS faculty.

Course List

For a representative, rather than comprehensive, list of courses that count towards the minor, visit the Courses section of the website and filter by Minor. Other courses may also fulfill the requirements; students should consult their African Studies minor adviser concerning which courses might fulfill minor requirements.

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