Africana Studies Minor
Examine the histories, cultures, and impacts of African nations and their citizens around the world through courses GU-Q and Northwestern Qatar.
Quick Links
Overview
The Africana Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary, joint program shared with Northwestern University in Qatar (Northwestern Qatar). Africana Studies provides a critical understanding of African cultures and societies both within the African continent and in global contexts. Although foregrounding continental perspectives, Africana studies also includes African diasporic studies, whether in an American, European, or Asian context.
The minor covers the length and breadth of Africa and its diaspora through a growing range of disciplines. Courses offered include: anthropology, history, literature, media and communication studies, political science, religious studies, and theology. Students are therefore in a position to engage multiple subjects from a rich range of perspectives, explore varied methodologies and theoretical frameworks, as well as interdisciplinary studies.
Program Administrators
Dr. Akintunde Akinade
Curricular Field Chair
Dr. Valentini Pappa
Faculty Liaison
Elizabeth Wanucha
Student Advisor
Africana Studies Steering Committee
Rogaia Abusharaf, GU-Q
Akintunde Akinade, GU-Q
Clovis Bergère, Northwestern Qatar
James Hodapp, Northwestern Qatar
Phoebe Musandu, GU-Q
Zachary Wright, Northwestern Qatar
Requirements
Courses
Students must receive a grade of C or higher in each qualifying course:
- 1 “core” course. All other courses can be “electives.” Core courses can also be taken as electives.
- 6 courses from the list of Africana Studies-recognized courses at GU-Q and Northwestern Qatar. Note that not all courses are offered each semester. It is important to consult with your academic advisor to plan a course of study.
- 1 course from a collaborating institution. For Northwestern Qatar students, at least one course at GU-Q; for GU-Q students, at least one course at Northwestern Qatar. Requests to take courses at another institution in Education City will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Africana Studies Steering Committee.
Capstone
Students must complete either a thesis, an ePortfolio, or a standard portfolio. Learn more about capstone projects.
Timeline
Completing a minor requires careful planning to ensure you are taking courses that count toward Africana Studies and are able to complete the original research capstone on time. Review the timeline and deadlines for the Africana Studies minor.
Africana Studies Courses
Core Courses (select 1 course)
- GU HIST 1200: Africa I, African History to 1800
- GU HIST 1201: Africa II, African History after 1800
- GU GOVT 2806 African Political Thought
- NU ENG 242: African Literature
Georgetown University in Qatar Electives (select 4 courses)
- GU ANTH 3350: War and Peace in Darfur
- GU ARAB 3320: Arab Film
- GU ARAB 3356: Arab Women’s Autobiography
- GU CULP 3274: Narratives of Genocide & Revolution in Post-Colonial Zanzibar
- CULP 2270: Intro to Indian Ocean
- GU GOVT 2602: International Organizations
- GU GOVT 2609: Race in International Relations
- GU INAF 3270: Gender Politics in African Cultures
- GU HIST 1099: Oral History and African Women’s History
- GU HIST 1106: Atlantic World
- GU HIST 1109: Islamic World
- GU HIST 2601: History of Modern Egypt
- GU HIST 4202: Africa: The Politico-Economics of Independence
- GU HIST 4208: Topics in African Women’s History
- GU HIST 4210: STEM and Power in Africa
- GU HIST 3609: America and the Muslim World
- GU HIST 4809: W.E.B. DuBois Seminar
- GU PHIL 2540: Intro to Africana Philosophy
- GU PHIL 3810: French & Francophone Philosophies
- GU THEO 3722: Liberation Theologies in the U.S.
Northwestern Qatar Electives (select 1 course)
- NU ENG 370: African Cinema
- NU ENG 387: Middle East and African Graphic Novels
- NU HIST 242: Medieval Muslim Empires
- NU HIST 387: Islam and the Shaping of African History
- NU MIT 398: Sport Globalization in Africa
- NU MIT 398: African Youth Media
- NU HIST 387: African Liberation Struggles
- NU REL 242: Sufism
Alumni Spotlight
Helen Negash, Class of 2023
“Choosing the Africana Studies minor was one of the best decisions I made. The coursework, along with the opportunity to conduct original research was invaluable in helping me hone in on my research interests. I benefited a lot from the guidance of the faculty, particularly my thesis advisor, Professor Phoebe Musandu, whose mentorship, thoughtful feedback, and recommended resources continue to shape how I approach research today. It also helped me as an Economic Affairs intern at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa after graduation. I am currently enrolled in the Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Public Policy as a recipient of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s scholarship, specializing in political economy and development.”