African Studies Majors and Minors
Professors Alden (English), Blewett (economics), Cornwell (philosophy), Pomponio (anthropology), Udechukwu (coordinator, fine arts); Associate Professors Barthelme (anthropology), Farley (music), Lloyd (history), Malaquias (government), Nouryeh (speech and theatre), Nyamweru (anthropology); Instructor Mahochi (Swahili)
The African studies program seeks to stimulate and enhance a comprehensive knowledge of historical and contemporary issues of the African continent. To this end, the program comprises a multidisciplinary curriculum, research, special performances and lectures. St. Lawrence maintains a study abroad program in Kenya and offers undergraduate scholarships and a teaching fellowship for graduate training in education to students from Kenya.
The African studies program offers a minor and combined majors with anthropology, economics, government and history.
Courses in African studies also support the University's Kenya Semester Program. Students interested in applying for this program should plan to complete an introductory course in African studies (AFS 101 or 102 are especially recommended) before applying. Interested students should discuss their academic plans with the coordinator as well as with the office of international studies. Most students who complete the Kenya Semester Program can readily complete a combined major or minor in African studies and are encouraged to do so; participation in this program is not required, however, for the combined major or minor.
For more information on the Kenya Semester Program visit the Web site at www.stlawu.edu/ciis/html/off_campus/kenya/.
Specialization in African studies is designed to foster knowledge about Africa through an organized plan of study; to promote understanding of the diversity of African peoples and societies; and to nurture the capacity for interdisciplinary problem-solving approaches to questions and for independent research. Issues addressed include environmental change, economic growth with equity, development of participatory government and a strong civil society, the relationship between indigenous and non-African cultures and Diaspora black studies. Background in African studies helps prepare students for graduate work in this interdisciplinary field or in international relations, for careers in international development and business, or for work in the Peace Corps and other service opportunities.
The minor consists of six African studies courses, and the combined major consists of five plus requirements from cooperating departments. Students are strongly encouraged to begin with either AFS 101 or 102. They must select courses from a range of disciplines in order to ensure exposure to diverse issues and approaches. Students are required to complete a capstone course; AFS 402 (Seminar on African Development) is specially designed for this purpose. With permission from an African studies faculty member, students may instead design an interdisciplinary independent project to complete the minor; proposals must be approved by the African studies advisory board. On occasion, faculty members in African studies will offer 400-level courses in their home departments that may qualify as capstone courses for African studies. All students must have their program of study certified by the coordinator for African studies and should confirm with the coordinator at early stages that their courses represent an appropriate range and diversity. Students interested in a combined major should also consult with appropriate department chairs.
The following African studies courses are accepted for the African studies combined major and minor.
101 - Introduction to African Studies: History and Development
A team-taught introduction to fundamental issues in the study of Africa, ranging from historical contexts to economic and political structures to African arts and issues of development. The value of interdisciplinary study and the challenges of moving beyond one's own framework to study other cultural systems are also discussed.
or
102 - Introduction to African Studies: Environment and Culture
The course looks at the physical environment of Africa with a particular emphasis on distribution of water resources. Culture is approached as it relates to environment. The course examines how people of different cultures conceptualize and value water resources, how the indigenous peoples of Africa have coped with frequently variable and unreliable water supplies and the impact of some controversial water development projects on people's lives.
402 - Seminar on African Development
An interdisciplinary research seminar that focuses on the critical theme of development and requires students to produce a substantial research essay confronting a development question, using the resources and methodologies of more than one discipline. Often, students can extend their investigation of a topic first studied in Kenya.
For individual departmental offerings, please consult the University Catalog, page 55
This information taken from the St. Lawrence University Catalog.