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The field of African area studies emphasizes continental Africa and embraces all of the major regions of the continent. The interdisciplinary minor in African area studies requires a minimum of six courses, including two African language courses (8 credits), two core courses (6 credits), and two elective courses chosen from among the core courses and the approved course list (6 credits; 20 credits total). Credits earned through relevant honors or topics courses, independent study, internships and study abroad in Africa can be applied towards the electives requirements and may in some cases, with the approval of the Director of the Program in African Languages, be applied towards the language requirement.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses counted toward the minor. At least three courses must be at the 300 level or above, and at least three courses must be taken outside the student’s major. (Rutgers College students must ensure that no more than one of the courses they use for the minor is also being applied to their major.) Students are strongly advised to consult with the Curriculum Director regularly about their programs of study.

Download this helpful minor checklist!

Applied Learning Opportunities

01:016:301, 302

Independent study in African Area Studies
(1-3, 1-3)

01:016:303, 304

Directed Internship in African Studies (1-3, 1-3)

The Center for African Studies values courses with applied learning opportunities, including internships, honors courses, and independent study programs arranged through CAS and through the departments. The appropriate number of credits for these learning experiences and their application toward distribution requirements will be determined in consultation with the curriculum director.

African Area Studies Core Courses

Minors must take at least two of the following courses; students do not have to register under the CAS number; they may register under the cross-listed departmental numbers.

01:016:220

Ancient Africa (3)

01:016:222

Modern Africa (3)

01:016:224

Women and Gender in African History (3)

01:016:250

Comparative Approaches to African Literatures (3)

01:016:312

African Feminism (3)

01:016:314

Sub-Sahara African Policies (3)

01:016:321

African Cultural History (3)

01:016:337

Anthropology of Africa (3)

01:016:338

Geography of Africa (3)

01:016:350

Literature and Cultures of Lusophone Africa (3)

01:016:363

African Women Writers (3)

01:016:379

Gender and Power in Africa (3)

01:016:410

Sub-Saharan African Literature (3)

01:016:411

North African Literature (3)

African Languages and Literatures

Minors must take two semesters of an African language.

01:013:101 102, 231 232, 303 304

Hausa (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced) (4,4)

01:013:105 106, 235 236, 335 336

Swahili (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced) (4,4)

01:013:109 110, 209 210, 309 310

Zulu (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced) (4,4)

01:013:127 128, 227 228, 327 328

Arabic (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced) (4,4)

01:013:133 134, 237 238, 337 338

Yoruba (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced) (4,4)

013:301

African linguistics (3)

013:311

African folklore (3)

013:318

African Culture Today (1.5 credits)

014:212

Politics and Power in Modern Africa (3)

014:360

Writers of Africa and the New World (3)

014:371

African Development (3)

014:330

Contemporary Issues in Southern Africa (3)

014:376

Pan African Movement (3)

070:326

Pleistocene Hominid Adaptations (3)

070:338

Anthropology of Africa (3); cross-listed 01:016:337

070:379

Gender and Power in Africa (3); cross-listed 01:016:379

070:412

African Prehistory/Paleoanthropology (3)

070:426

South African Archaeology (3)

082:107

Oceanic, African, Pre-Columbian Art (3)

082:371

Arts of West Africa (3)

082:376

Arts of Central Africa (3)

082:420

African Architecture (3)

146:328

Human Parasitology (3)

195:250

Comparative Approaches to African Literatures (3); cross-listed 01:016:250

195:363

African Women Writers (3); cross-listed 01:016:363

202:312

Crimes Against Humanity (3)

355:201

Challenges on the African Continent (3)

373:381

Political Economy of Agricultural Development (3)

420:409

Cultures of the Francophone World (3)

420:410

Sub-Saharan African Literature (3); cross-listed 01:016:410

420:411

North African Literature (3); cross-listed 01:016:411

420:413

African/Caribbean Literature in French (3)

450:338

Africa (3); cross-listed 01:016:338

508:220

Ancient Africa (3); cross-listed 01:016:220

508:221

Modern Africa (3); cross-listed 01:016:222

508:224

Women and Gender in African History (3); cross-listed 01:016:224

508:320

History of Southern Africa (3)

508:321

African Cultural History (3); cross-listed 01:016:321

508:322

History of West Africa (3)

508:323

History of East Africa (3)

508:326

Islam in African History (3)

508:327

World War II and Africa (3)

508:420

African Labor History (3)

508:424

African Cities Past and Present (3)

508:429

Research in African Historical Studies (3)

790:314

Sub-Sahara African Policies (3); cross-listed 01:016:314

790:389

African Women Speak (3)

790:495

Independent Study (with CAS faculty for Model African Union)

840:33

African Religions (3)

810:309

Africa and Portugal: An Introduction (3)

810:350

Literature and Cultures of Lusophone Africa (3); cross-listed 01:016:350

810:440

Portuguese World: Multiple Perspectives (3)

810:241-242

Portuguese-Speaking World: A Literary Introduction for English-Speakers (3,3)

940:465

Spain in Africa/Africa in Spain (3)

01:959:398

Study Abroad at the University of Natal in South Africa (variable credit)
Students may apply toward the minor up to 9 credits earned in courses offered as part of a recognized Rutgers African study abroad program. Rutgers currently has programs in Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia. Students are encouraged to contact the Rutgers Study Abroad office for these and other study abroad opportunities.

988:224

Women and Gender in African History (3); cross-listed 01:016:224

988:312

African Feminism (3); cross-listed 01:016:312

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