African Studies

africanstudies.northwestern.edu

In 1948 the distinguished scholar Melville J. Herskovits organized the Program of African Studies at Northwestern, and the program remains a model of Africanist study and research. Through sponsorship of multidisciplinary courses with African content, language training, and promotion of Africa-based study, it supports and enlivens the undergraduate study of Africa while serving as the Univer­sity’s “headquarters” for formal and informal interaction among interested students, faculty, and visitors. The program brings undergraduates studying Africa together with faculty and other experts in many areas of inquiry—across disciplinary boundaries and regional specializations—for lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, and research programs. Northwestern’s Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, an unparalleled resource for students and scholars, is the largest Africana collection in existence with subject matter ranging from art, history, literature, music, science, technology and religion to communications, engineering, management and cooking. Over the years the program has remained in active contact with its counterparts in Africa and elsewhere, while expanding its role in the University and off-campus communities.

The program offers both an adjunct major and a minor. Although there is no formal language requirement for either, students are strongly encouraged to study a non-English language that is spoken in Africa or its diaspora, such as Swahili, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Por­tu­guese, or Spanish. Competence in a foreign language can facilitate individual research projects, widen understanding of particular topics, and increase study abroad opportunities.

African Studies Courses 

AFST 101-7 College Seminar (1 Unit)   Small, writing and discussion-oriented course exploring a specific topic or theme, and introducing skills necessary to thriving at Northwestern. Not eligible to be applied towards a WCAS major or minor except where specifically indicated.

AFST 101-8 First-Year Writing Seminar (1 Unit)   Small, writing and discussion-oriented course exploring a specific topic or theme, and focused on the fundamentals of effective, college-level written communication. Not eligible to be applied towards a WCAS major or minor except where specifically indicated.

AFST 276-0 African Literature in Translation (1 Unit)   Continental African literature. Content varies. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Taught with COMP_LIT 270-0; may not receive credit for both courses with same topic. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

AFST 360-SA Culture, Language, and Identity in South Africa (1 Unit)   Introduction to South African populations and cultures through direct experience and representations in history, art, literature, languages, and customs. Discussions of South African cultures and ethnicity, language use and policy, and identity. Restricted to students in Northwestern's South Africa program. Social Behavioral Sciences Distro Area

AFST 390-0 Topics in African Studies (1 Unit)  

A general examination of topics relevant to African studies. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Restricted to students in Northwestern's South Africa program.

AFST 390-SA Topics in African Studies (1 Unit)   A general examination of topics relevant to African studies. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Restricted to students in Northwestern's South Africa program.

AFST 392-1 Herskovits Undergraduate Research Award (1 Unit)   2-course sequence required for recipients of the Herskovits Undergraduate Research Award. Consecutive enrollment required in AFST 392-2.

AFST 392-2 Herskovits Undergraduate Research Award (1 Unit)   2-course sequence required for recipients of the Herskovits Undergraduate Research Award. Prerequisite: AFST 392-1.

AFST 395-0 Senior Research Seminar (1 Unit)   Capstone seminar addressing both techniques of research and the substance of a significant issue in African studies. Students develop skills at formulating a research topic and organizing research.

AFST 399-0 Independent Study (1 Unit)   May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Swahili Courses

SWAHILI 111-1 Swahili I (1 Unit)   Basic literacy skills and interactive proficiency; Swahili in cultural and historical context. 

SWAHILI 111-2 Swahili I (1 Unit)   Basic literacy skills and interactive proficiency; Swahili in cultural and historical context. Prerequisite: SWAHILI 111-1 or equivalent.

SWAHILI 111-3 Swahili I (1 Unit)   Basic literacy skills and interactive proficiency; Swahili in cultural and historical context. Prerequisite: SWAHILI 111-2 or equivalent.

SWAHILI 111-SA-1 Swahili I (1 Unit)   Basic literacy skills and interactive proficiency; Swahili in cultural and historical context. 

SWAHILI 121-1 Swahili II (1 Unit)   Development of literacy and interactive proficiency skills; introduction to verbal arts. In Swahili. Prerequisite: SWAHILI 111-3 or equivalent.

SWAHILI 121-2 Swahili II (1 Unit)   Development of literacy and interactive proficiency skills; introduction to verbal arts. In Swahili. Prerequisite: SWAHILI 121-1.

SWAHILI 121-3 Swahili II (1 Unit)   Development of literacy and interactive proficiency skills; introduction to verbal arts. In Swahili. Prerequisite: SWAHILI 121-2.

SWAHILI 121-SA-1 Swahili II (1 Unit)   Development of literacy and interactive proficiency skills; introduction to verbal arts. In Swahili. Prerequisite: SWAHILI 111-3 or equivalent.

SWAHILI 216-1 Introduction to Swahili Literature (1 Unit)   Swahili verbal arts in the oral tradition. Prerequisite: SWAHILI 121-3 or equivalent. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

SWAHILI 216-2 Introduction to Swahili Literature (1 Unit)   Classical Swahili literature. Prerequisite: SWAHILI 216-1. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

SWAHILI 216-3 Introduction to Swahili Literature (1 Unit)   Standard Swahili literature. Prerequisite: SWAHILI 216-2. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

SWAHILI 399-0 Independent Study (1 Unit)   For students who have advanced with distinction beyond the regular course offerings in Swahili. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.