African Studies

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Not all courses are offered every semester. Refer to the schedule of courses for each term's specific offerings.
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Unless otherwise indicated in the course description, all courses at the University of Florida are taught in English, with the exception of specific foreign language courses.

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As a National Resource Center for African Studies, the mission of the center is to promote excellence in teaching and research on Africa in all the disciplines at the University of Florida. The Center for African Studies also disseminates knowledge about Africa to the wider community through an integrated outreach program to schools, colleges, community groups, and businesses.
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CONTACT

Email | 352.392.2183 (tel.) | 352.392.2435 (fax)

PO Box 115560
427 GRINTER HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-5560
Map

Curriculum


Courses

AFS 2002 The African Experience: An Introduction to African Studies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introductory study of African society and culture that examines the richness, diversity, and time-depth of African civilizations.

AFS 3300 Poverty and Development in Africa 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Contemporary study of development issues in Africa, their challenges and possible solutions; theme based and includes economic development, agriculture and the environment, social issues and gender equality, and democracy and political development.

Prerequisite: (6 credits from AFS 2002 or HUM 2420 or HUM 2424 or AFH 2000) or (junior standing).

AFS 3352 Culture, Health and Arts in Sub-Saharan Africa 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Explores Sub-Saharan African cultures, health issues and belief systems related to health and the arts. Also provides a framework to better understand health and health care systems in other cultures.

Prerequisite: junior standing or 6 credits minimum from AFH 2000 or AFS 2002 or AFS 4905 or AFS 4935 or HUM 2420 or HUM 2424.

AFS 3800 Childhood in African Literature and Cinema 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Explores African conceptions of childhood through the mediums of literature and film; examines how childhood is represented in diverse African cultures.

Prerequisite: (6 credits from AFS 2002 or HUM 2420 or HUM 2424 or AFH 2000) or (junior standing).

AFS 3930 Special Topics in African Studies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Selected variable topics in African Studies.

Prerequisite: Junior standing or higher or AFS 2002 with minimum grade of C.

AFS 4240 The African Family 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Understanding African societies south of the Sahara through the study of the functions, roles and meanings of households and families. Emphasizes diversity within and commonalities among the myriad forms of African families.

Prerequisite: (6 credits from AFS 2002 or HUM 2420 or HUM 2424 or AFH 2000) or (junior standing).

AFS 4315 Critical Issues in Contemporary Africa 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Upper-division seminar that discusses perspectives on conflict resolution, corruption, economic development, environmental management, food security, governance, international assistance, and public health in contemporary Africa. In addition, enhances skills in analysis, discussion, and debate.

Prerequisite: (6 credits from AFS 2002 or HUM 2420 or HUM 2424 or AFH 2000) or (junior standing).

AFS 4330 Women and Politics in Africa 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introduces historical and contemporary roles of women in African political systems, from local to national governance.

Prerequisite: (6 credits from AFS 2002 or HUM 2420 or HUM 2424 or AFH 2000) or (junior standing).

AFS 4340 Community Conservation and Rural Development in Africa 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the practicalities and theoretical foundations of community conservation in Africa, with particular attention on the relationship between conservation and rural development issues. Main themes include property rights, governance, and local-global relations.

Prerequisite: (6 credits from AFS 2002 or HUM 2420 or HUM 2424 or AFH 2000) or (junior standing).

AFS 4345 Political Economy of Conservation in Africa 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Analyzes effectiveness of diverse approaches to natural resource preservation and uses. Case studies are primarily from southern and eastern Africa, and readings focus on political and economic aspects of conservation strategies.

Prerequisite: (6 credits from AFS 2002 or HUM 2420 or HUM 2424 or AFH 2000) or (junior standing).

AFS 4365 Urban Africa Today 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Interdisciplinary seminar incorporates scholarship from anthropology, geography, history, political science, sociology, and urban planning to understand African cities, their rapid growth, and their future development.

Prerequisite: junior standing or 6 credits minimum from AFS 2002 or AFS 3300 or AFS 4260 or AFS 4315 or AFS 4330 or AFS 4350 or AFS 4935.

AFS 4905 Individual Work 1-9 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Individual study and research for topics not covered in other courses.

AFS 4911 Undergraduate Research in African Studies 0-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides firsthand, supervised research. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery, or application.

AFS 4935 African Studies Interdisciplinary Seminar 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Seminar on a selected interdisciplinary theme.

Prerequisite: Junior standing or higher, or instructor permission, or instructor permission.

AFS 4940 African Studies Internship 1-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: S/U

Complements an Africa-related internship experience through guided reflection, critical analysis, synthesis, and discussion.

Prerequisite: junior standing or higher and undergraduate coordinator approval.