Majors and Minors

The African studies program enables students to construct a comprehensive knowledge of the -African continent and its peoples, including their extensive interaction with many other peoples and regions in the international community. Specialization in African studies is designed to foster knowledge about Africa through an organized plan of study; to promote understanding of the diversity of African people and societies; and to nurture the capacity for interdisciplinary problem-solving approaches to questions and for independent research. Issues addressed include the earliest biological and cultural origins of modern humanity, environmental change, economic growth with equity, development of participatory government and a strong civil society, the relationship between indigenous and non-African cultures, and African Diaspora studies. Background in African studies helps prepare students for graduate work in this interdisciplinary field or in international relations, for careers in government, international development and business, or for work in the Peace Corps and other service opportunities.

The African Studies program offers a multidisciplinary curriculum leading to a minor or a number of combined majors. St. Lawrence also maintains a semester study program in Kenya, and offers a component of study in Africa as part of the program in France, and courses in Swahili taught by Kenyan scholars.

African Studies Learning Goals
Students who have completed a minor and/or combined major in African Studies are expected to:

1. Confront and move beyond their preconceptions about Africa, Africans and people of African descent.

2. Develop a complex understanding of the diverse cultural, social, political, economic, and environmental spaces that constitute contemporary Africa.

3. Understand historical processes that have shaped contemporary Africa and the active role that Africans have played in these processes.

4. Recognize the participation of Africa in all significant global systems and respect African contributions to knowledge and creativity.

5. Develop the ability to use an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Africa.

Minor
The African studies program also offers a minor which consists of six African studies courses. As in the combined major, 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 from among the following: a) an African studies 400-level seminar; or b) an interdisciplinary independent project approved by the African Studies Advisory Board.

Combined Major
The African studies program 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 strongly encouraged to begin with either AFS 101 or 225. They must select courses from a range of disciplines. Students are required to complete a capstone course in one of the following ways: a) an African Studies 400-level seminar; or b) an interdisciplinary independent project approved by the African Studies Advisory Board.

Anthropology and African Studies

Anthropology
4 units - Introductory courses: 4* (see anthropology requirements)
1 unit   - ANTH 300- Advanced topics course
     (must be taken in the Anthropology department)
3 units - Electives (200 level and above):
     At least two should be Dual-Listed w/AFS and no more than two may be taken outside the department
1 unit - Capstone 400 level seminar
5 units - 5 AFS courses (that includes a 400-level approved AFS course)

14 units total
*See Anthropology Major Requirements for the list of introductory courses and guidelines regarding study abroad.

Economics and African Studies

Economics
1 unit - *ECON100 Introduction to Economics
1 unit - **ECON 200 Quantitative Methods in Economics
1 unit - ECON 251 Intermediate Microeconomics Theory
1 unit - ECON 252 Intermediate Macroeconomics Theory
4 units - FOUR other electives in Economics, at least two of which must be at the 300/400 level and at least two of which must be
     selected from: ECON 228 African Economies, ECON 322 International Economics and ECON 336 Economic Development
5 units - 5 AFS courses (that includes a 400-level approved AFS course)

13 units total

*This course may be omitted with advanced placement credit or other advanced standing.
**Students taking (1) Mathematics 213 or 325 or 326 OR (2) MATH 113 and either MATH 135 or MATH 136 with at least a grade of 3.0
in each, may take another economics elective in lieu of Economics 200.

Government and African Studies

Government
1 unit - GOVT 103 Introduction to American Politics
1 unit - GOVT 105 Introduction to Comparative Politics
1 unit - GOVT 108: Intro to International Politics OR GOVT 206: Intro to Political Theory
*Note: One of the above three introductory courses must be designated writing intensive (WI).
1 unit - GOVT 230 African Politics
1 unit - GOVT 290 Research Seminar (can be 290, 291, 292 or 293)
2 units - 2 additional GOVT electives
5 units - 5 AFS courses (that includes a 400-level approved AFS course)

12 units total

History and African Studies

History
10 units - Ten courses
     1 must be a HIST 299 Pro-Seminar
     4 from different regions (including one on African History)
     1 SYE (which should be the HIST-AFS SYE)
     No more than three courses at the introductory (100) level may be credited toward the major
5 units - 5 AFS courses
     (One of which may be counted for both History and AFS)

14 units total