Program: Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies of Africa
Program Description
The Interdisciplinary Studies of Africa (ISA) minor is designed to provide a multidisciplinary approach to the study of African history, politics, geography, literature, visual and performing arts, and culture. It provides a background for the advanced study of Africa, and for careers in international development, international law, international business, humanitarianism, journalism, museum curation, health, education and social media management, among other pathways. Students may take courses in several departments that satisfy the minor requirements or may use these courses as electives in their majors. All students interested in the ISA minor are invited to see a member of the program committee or the coordinator of the ISA minor to work out a program that will meet their specific needs and interests.
Program Requirements
1. Lower Division Requirements (6 units)
AFRS 168 Introduction to the African Diaspora (3)
AFRS 171 Classical African Civilization (3)
AFRS 226 Traditional African Cultures (3)
AFRS 252 Popular Culture and the Black World (3)
AFRS 282 African Religion in the New World (3)
ANTH 152 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
ART 112 World Arts: Africa, Oceania and the Americas (3)
GEOG 150 World Geography (3)
HIST 145 African Civilization to Modern Times (3)
POLS 225 Elements of International Relations (3)
2. Upper Division Requirements (12 units)
AFRS 324 The Black Woman in Contemporary Times (3)
AFRS 325 The Black Man in Contemporary Times (3)
AFRS 344 Literature of the Caribbean and African Experience (3)
AFRS 366 Colonialism in Africa (3)
AFRS 368 Politics of Hip Hop (3)
AFRS 382 Traditional Religions of Africa (3)
AFRS 465 Pan Africanism: Development of an Ideology 1865-1954 (3)
AFRS 466A, AFRS 466B The Model Organization of African Unity (3,3)
AFRS 488 Sustainability and Environmental Justice in the African and African Diaspora Communities (3)
ANTH 338 Anthropology of Africa (3)
ART 404 History of African and Oceania Art (3)
GWS 340 Women, Gender and Global Development (3)
GEOG 326 Africa (3)
HSCI 438 International Health (3)
HIST 435 Africa, Africans, and the World: From Early Humans to the Slave Trade (3)
HIST 436 Africa, Africans, and the World Since the Slave Trade (3)
HIST 496Y Experimental Topics Courses in History: Africa (3)
HIST 497L Proseminar: Africa (3)
MUS 378 African Music Ensemble (3)
POLS 420E International Relations of Selected Areas: Africa (3)
POLS 427A/L Model United Nations and Lab (1/2)
POLS 439A Government and Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa (3)
POLS 439B Government and Politics of Southern Africa (3)
RS 306 American Religious Diversity (3)
URBS 350 Cities of the Developing World (3)
Total Units in the Minor: 18
Contact
Coordinator: Suzanne Scheld
Department of Anthropology
Sierra Hall (SH) 232
(818) 677-3331
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate refined critical thinking, written and oral communication skills, and other creative endeavors.
- Identify major issues pertinent to political, economic, historical, cultural, religious and aesthetic patterns of social life on the African continent.
- Develop a critical and reflective perspective on Western interpretations of the experiences of Africans; in particular, an understanding of colonialism, neocolonialism, neoliberalism, globalization and various forms of African reappropriations.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the commonalties and the uniqueness of African societies.
- Demonstrate an enhanced ability to respect African communities and African contributions to society.