African Studies Minor

The African studies minor immerses students in the diverse societies that make up Africa and its diasporas. In this interdisciplinary curriculum, students examine the intricacies of African societies and politics alongside topics that have shaped the modern world, such as human rights, decolonization, development, justice and sustainability. The minor helps students apply lessons from the region locally and globally.   

As an African studies minor, students learn the history, politics and economics of the continent and develop practical vocabulary in commonly spoken languages. Students also study African music and literature, public health, the environment and more. The minor makes an excellent addition to a primary area of study in languages and cultures, political science, law, pre-health, business or nonprofit administration and more. African studies is one of six interdisciplinary minors focused on international regions and global themes.  

Minor Requirements (18 Hours)

Students must select 6-18 hours from the core courses and 0-12  hours from the thematic electives for a total of 18 hours.

Course Title Credits
Core6-18
Religions of the African Diaspora
Music of the African World
Special Topics in African-American Arts and Cultures
Cultures of Africa
Medical Experimentation and the Black Body
African-American Cultures
West African Dance
African Literature
World Cinemas in French
Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa
Global Human Rights
Global Studies: Context, Connection, and Change
Music of the African World
Topics in Global Studies
Introduction to African History
The Contemporary Middle East and North Africa
Africa to 1800
Africa since 1800
East Africa and the Indian Ocean World
Caribbean Race and Slavery, 1500-1900
Controversies in the Politics of Global Regions: Africa
Politics and Governments of Africa
Religions of the African Diaspora
Thematic Electives0-12
Introduction to African American Studies: Social and Historical Foundations
Introduction to African-American Studies
African-American Feminist Theory
Environmental Racism and Justice
Understanding Other Cultures
Food and Culture
Violence and Peace: Anthropological Perspectives
Cultures of Islam
Cultures, Pregnancy, and Birth
Global Women's Health
Elementary Arabic
Basic Proficiency in Arabic
Intermediate Arabic I
Intermediate Arabic II
Advanced Arabic Language I
Advanced Arabic Language II
Postcolonialism
Beginning French I
Beginning French II
Elementary French
Basic Proficiency in French
Francophone Literatures and Cultures
Introduction to International Development
Geographies of Global Change
Landscape and Cultural Geography
International Development and the Environment
North Africa from Colonialism to Revolution: 1830-1962
Into the Wild: Global Conservation since 1800
Islamic Institutions and Traditions
International Relations
Comparative Politics
Comparative Politics of Developing Countries
Revolution and Political Violence
International Law
Law and Contemporary International Problems
Elementary Portuguese
Basic Proficiency in Portuguese
Intermediate Portuguese I
Introduction to Christianity
Introduction to Islam
Theories of Religion
Elementary Swahili
Basic Proficiency in Swahili
Women's Health
African-American Feminist Theory

Note: Students minoring in African Studies may petition to substitute courses not on this list (e.g., special topics courses, May Term courses). For more information, see an advisor in the Walker Institute.

 Foreign language courses taken for the Carolina Core or College requirements may not be counted towards the minor and/or another major.