# 2026-2027 Course Catalog

**Source**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/minors/african-studies/
**Parent**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate_index/

*for the Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Minor in African Studies*

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The Center for African Studies offers an interdisciplinary minor as a complement to any major. The 20 hours selected by students for the African studies minor should form a coherent program of study. This program must be approved by the Center for African Studies. The Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will verify that the student has completed the program on the recommendation of the Director of the Center for African Studies and on completion of the requirements below.

### Requirements

Course List

     | Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Study of an indigenous African Language. Acceptable languages include but are not limited to Arabic, Bamana, Lingala, Swahili, Wolof, and Zulu. | | 5 |
| African Studies core courses. These courses contain a minimum of 50 percent African content and are defined according to a list maintained and regularly updated by the Center for African Studies. Courses completed to satisfy the core must come from at least 3 separate departments and must include the following three components: | |  |
| Course-work surverying the continent. Choose one of the following: | | 3 |
| [AFST 210](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=AFST%20210 "AFST 210") | Introduction to Modern African Literature |  |
| [AFST 222](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=AFST%20222 "AFST 222") | Introduction to Modern Africa |  |
| [AFST 254](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=AFST%20254 "AFST 254") | Economic Systems in Africa |  |
| [HIST 111](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=HIST%20111 "HIST 111") | History of Africa to 1800 |  |
| [HIST 112](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=HIST%20112 "HIST 112") | History of Africa from 1800 |  |
| 300- or 400-level core courses. Language courses cannot be used to meet this requirement. | | 6 |
| Additional core courses at any level. African language courses may be used to satisfy this requirement if they are at the advanced level (fifth semester or higher). Only 3 hours of [AFST 199](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=AFST%20199 "AFST 199") may be used to satisfy the requirements of the minor. | | 6 |
| Total Hours | | 20 |

*for the Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Minor in African Studies*

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Students completing the minor will be able to:

1. **Demonstrate foundational knowledge of African cultures, societies, and languages**, acquiring a multicultural and international perspective applicable to academic, professional, and personal contexts.
2. **Apply critical and analytical skills** to understand African political, economic, and cultural systems, preparing for further study, professional work in international contexts, or informed global engagement.

*for the Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Minor in African Studies*

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**center website:** <http://www.afrst.illinois.edu/>

**center faculty:** [African Studies Faculty](https://afrst.illinois.edu/directory/faculty)

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**overview of college admissions & requirements:** [Liberal Arts & Sciences](https://catalog.illinois.edu/schools/las/academic-units/)

**college website:** <https://las.illinois.edu/>

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**email:** [african@illinois.edu](mailto:african@illinois.edu)