African Studies Center

The African Studies Center within the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies offers an interdisciplinary African studies minor, a minor in African languages and literature, and a joint major in linguistics and African languages (managed by the Department of Linguistics). The center is a US Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center and as such regularly teaches seven African languages that fulfill the College of Arts & Sciences language requirement. Fellowships with stipends are also available to both graduate and undergraduate students who study an African language beyond the first year. The center also coordinates graduate programs in the social sciences and humanities, including a graduate certificate and graduate research conference, and it encourages research and teaching on Africa. The center’s offices, classrooms, and facilities for lectures and conferences are on the fifth and fourth floors of 232 Bay State Road. They are available to student groups with interest in Africa. Throughout the year, the center sponsors film screenings, workshops, and symposia, as well as lectures by distinguished visiting scholars, journalists, faculty, and policymakers representing arts, humanities, social science, and health and STEM fields. Workshops are held on various development-related topics and in the African humanities. The center publishes a peer-reviewed historical journal, working papers, and occasional volumes in its African Studies Series, and it contributes to the support of the extensive research collection of the African Studies Library, which occupies the sixth floor of Mugar Memorial Library. The center’s Outreach Program supports K–16 teaching about and public awareness of Africa through its programming of workshops, reading groups, and other events; development of curricular resources; and maintains the Teaching Africa Library, a collection of books, realia, films, music, and other materials for loan to Boston-area educators.

Advising

Students interested in pursuing a minor are encouraged to make an advising appointment with the center’s Assistant Director or Director of African Languages.

Study Abroad

Study abroad opportunities on the African continent are available through BU Study Abroad, including a Health, Culture & Development program in Cape Town, South Africa. The African Studies Center is also developing additional programs. Students in African languages may apply for Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowships to use during the summer for intensive language programs abroad. Visit the African Studies Center or BU Study Abroad for more information.