Academic Programs

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African Studies can be pursued through African American and African Studies (AAAS) as well as International Studies. Other academic units with strong African area studies content include Anthropology, Comparative Studies, History, Agricultural Economics, Education, Rural Sociology, and Geography.

Professor Ali Mazrui

Undergraduate Studies: The Undergraduate International Studies Program offers interdisciplinary majors and minors with a concentration in African studies. The Department of African-American and African Studies (AAAS) offers a Bachelor of Arts with Africa as a focus area for both majors and minors.

Graduate Studies: Students may pursue a program with emphasis on Africa in a variety of departments where relevant offerings are strong. Programs may require proficiency in an African language. The Department of African American and African studies offers an intensive MA program as well as a Ph.D program with concentrations in either African Studies or Comparative Diaspora Studies options.

AAAS offers dual degree programs with Education and Human Ecology (School of Teaching and Learning), with City and Regional Planning, and with Women's Studies. The Department of Art History offers M.A. and Ph.D degrees in African art and archeology, encompassing ancient and traditional as well as contemporary art. Anthropology students with an interest in Africa may earn an M.A. or Ph.D in archeology, physical or cultural anthropology. M.A. and Ph.D. graduate degrees with a focus on Africa are also available through History, French, Food/Agriculture/Environmental Sciences, Geography, and Political Science.

Beyond these specific degree programs, students in a widening variety of majors can pursue coursework and field studies through which to develop academic and experiential expertise in the continent.  CAS supports the development of new courses, African languages, and African study abroad programs at OSU.