African Studies Major and Minor Requirements

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Combined Major

African studies offers combined majors with anthropology, economics, government and history. Each combined major consists of five African studies courses plus requirements from cooperating departments. The typical combined major has between 12 and 14 courses in total. Students are encouraged to begin with either AFS 101 or AFS 225. They must select courses from a range of disciplines. Students must complete a capstone course that is either an African studies 400-level seminar or an interdisciplinary –independent project approved by the African Studies Advisory Board.

Anthropology and African Studies

Anthropology (ANTH)

Four core courses* (4 units)

One 300-level Advanced Topics course* (1 unit)
(must be taken in the Anthropology department)

Electives (200-level and above) (3 units)
(at least two should be dual-listed with AFS, and no more than two may be taken outside the department)

Capstone 400-level seminar (1 unit)

Five AFS courses, including a 400-level approved AFS course (5 units)

Total: 14 units

*See Anthropology Major Requirements for the list of core and Advanced Topics courses and guidelines regarding study abroad.

Economics and African Studies

Economics (ECON)

100.        Introduction to Economics.*                (1 unit)

200.        Quantitative Methods in Economics.** (1.5 units)

251.        Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (1 unit)

252.        Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory (1 unit)

*This course may be omitted with advanced placement credit or other advanced standing.

**STAT 113 is a prerequisite for ECON 200

Four other electives in economics (4 units)

At least two must be at the 300/400 level and at least two must be selected from these three:

228.        African Economies.

322.                        International Economics.

336.        Economic Development.

Five AFS courses, including a 400-level

approved AFS course (5 units)

Total: 13.5 units

Government and African Studies

Government (GOVT)

103.        Introduction to American Politics. (1 unit)

105.        Introduction to Comparative Politics. (1 unit)

108.        Introduction to International Politics (1 unit) or

206.        ––           Introduction to Political Theory (1 unit)

290, 291 or 293 . Research Seminar. (1 unit)

320.        African Politics. (1 unit)

Two additional electives (2 units)

Five AFS courses, including a 400-level approved AFS course (5 units)

* One of the above 100-level courses must be designated writing intensive (WI).

Total: 12 units

History and African Studies

History (HIST)

10 courses: 10 units

  • 1 must be a 299 Seminar on Historical Research Methods
  • 4 from different regions (including one on African history)
  • No more than three courses at the introductory (100) level may be credited toward the major
  • 1 SYE (which should be the HIST-AFS SYE)

Five AFS courses (5 units)

(One of which may be counted for both History and African Studies)

Total Required: 14 units

Minor

The African studies minor consists of six African studies courses. Students are encouraged to begin with either AFS 101 or 225 and must select courses from a range of disciplines. Also, they must complete a capstone course that is either an African studies 400-level seminar or an interdisciplinary independent project approved by the African Studies Advisory Board.

Study Abroad

Courses completed in the University’s Kenya -Program (KSP) count toward completion of either the minor or the combined major. Students who apply for the KSP must complete an introductory course in African studies (AFS 101 or AFS 225 is especially recommended). Interested students should discuss their academic plans with one of the coordinators of the program as well as personnel in the office of International and Intercultural Studies. Students who complete the KSP are encouraged to declare a combined major or minor in African studies and in most cases will only need to complete the 400-level capstone requirements after participating on the program. Participants in the France program have a study trip to Senegal. There are also several opportunities for study in Africa during the summer. For more information on the Kenya Program, France program or summer study options, visit https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/ciis