The undergraduate program in African Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers students the opportunity to explore the historic and cultural diversity of sub-Saharan African societies.
    On the intellectual level, a major/minor in African Studies provides an understanding of the dynamics of this continent's social, political, and economic systems and insights into the profound impact of African societies on many countries in Europe, the Near East, and particularly North and South America and the Caribbean. On the practical level, a major/minor in African Studies provides the necessary background for careers in education, government, international agencies, development organizations, public affairs and business, or for scholarly research.
    African Studies course offerings are included in the departments/schools of Anthropology, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Comparative Literature, Demography, Economics, Education, English, Folklore, History, History of Art, History and Sociology of Science, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, Romance Languages, Sociology, Womens Studies, School of Nursing, Wharton and Social Work and the Penn Language Center. Penn undergraduates also may take for major or minor credit, any African Studies courses offered at Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore colleges.

** Minimum Requirement 12 c.u.

** A pre-requisite of two semesters of an African language at the elementary level is to be taken before or at the time the student applies for admission.

  Preferably in the freshman or sophomore year, but no later than the junior year, each major is required to take an Introduction to African Studies proseminar. Topics vary from year to year. (1 c.u.)

  Students are required to take eight (8 c.u.) additional Africa-focused or Africa-related courses, choosing between a humanities or a social sciences emphasis or giving equal emphasis to each of them. A humanities emphasis requires five courses (5 c.u.) on African subjects that are offered in at least two departments such as folklore, history, linguistics, literature (comparative literature, English, French), and three courses (3 c.u.) that are offered in two of the following departments: anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, and sociology. A social sciences emphasis reverses the proportions. Only two Africa-related courses are allowed.

  Students are required to take two semesters of an Intermediate level African Language. (2 c.u.)

  Students are required to write a senior thesis on an African subject under the supervision of an African Studies faculty member. (1 c.u.)

** Minimum Requirement 6 c.u.

  Each minor is required to take the Introduction to African Studies proseminar (1 c.u.). Topics vary from year to year.

  A total of five (5) core courses must be taken in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Core courses in the Social Sciences should be taken from the departments of Anthropology, Economics, Philosophy, Political Science, and Sociology. Core courses in the Humanities should be taken from the departments of Folklore, History and Linguistics (i.e., Comparative Literature, English, French).

  Only one (1) Africa-related course is permitted. Consult an African Studies Advisor for course eligibility before enrolling in an Africa-related course.

Only intermediate and advanced African language courses will be counted for the Minor (optional).

  Writing a senior thesis (1 c.u.) under the supervision of an African Studies faculty member is optional for students who minor in African Studies.

     The Undergraduate Advisory Board (UAB) is a board of students that serves as a liaison between the African Studies Faculty & Staff and all students taking African Studies courses.   Dedicated students with new and innovative ideas should contact Lynette Loose at the African Studies Center.  Get involved!

Lynette Loose
Program Coordinator
lloose@sas.upenn.edu

University of Pennsylvania
645 Williams Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305
Telephone:(215) 898-6971
Fax:(215) 573-8130

Tukufu Zuberi
Director
tukufu@pop.upenn.edu