Join African Studies faculty members this fall for a diverse range of coursework.
Africa courses
ART H 205: Arts of Africa
Instructor: Jennifer A. Baez
MW | 11:00-12:20 p.m. | Location Art 229
5 credits (A&H, W) | SLN: 10560
Course Description
Thematic exploration of art and artists from Africa and its diaspora.
ANTH 483: Africa Living with HIV/AIDS
Instructor: James Pfeiffer
TTh | 3:30-5:20 p.m. | Location FSH 107
5 credits (SSc) | SLN: 10367
Course Description
Examines the epidemiological, historical, political-economic, and social-cultural dimensions of Africa living with HIV/AIDS and the current challenges and debates in international HIV/AIDS policy and programming. Various approaches and analytical models help students grasp the complicated and multiple effects, responses, conditions, and debates surrounding the African HIV/AIDS pandemic.
ENGL 319: African Literatures
Instructor: Laura H. Chrisman
TTH | 3:30-5:20 p.m. | Location SAV 131
5 credits (A&H, DIV) | SLN 14912
Course Description
Introduces and explores African literatures from a range of regions. Pays particular attention to writings connected with the historical experiences of colonialism, anti-colonial resistance, and decolonization. Considers the operations of race, gender, nationhood, neocolonialism, and globalization within and across these writings.
MELC 101: Gateway To The Middle East And the Horn of Africa
Instructor: Kathryn McConaughy Medill
MW | 1:30-3:20 p.m. | Location FSH 107
5 credits (SSc or A&H) | SLN 18697
Course Description
Introduces the development of Middle East and Horn of Africa cultures from ancient origins in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, and Central Asia through the present day. Invites students into the world’s earliest cultures, the diversity of its peoples, and their contributions to contemporary society.
African Diaspora courses
AFRAM 101: Introduction To African American Studies
Instructor: Alekzandr Wray
TTh | 1:30-2:50 p.m. | GWN 201
5 credits (SSc, DIV) | SLN: 10177
Course Description
History, culture, religion, institutions, politics, economics, arts, and psychology of peoples of African descent as developed from experience in both the old and new worlds. Multidisciplinary analysis of social life from a black perspective as illustrated in selected historical and contemporary writings.
AFRAM 404: Advanced African American Studies In Humanities
Instructor: Sonnet H. Retman
F | 11:30-2:20 p.m. | Location MEB 243
5 credits (A&H, DIV) | SLN 23260
Course Description
Advanced and interdisciplinary engagement with racial formation, Black cultural production, and resistance among people of African descent throughout the Diaspora. Draws upon cultural studies perspectives with an emphasis on literature, film, music, performance, visual and material culture. Topics include art, labor, migration, politics; racial capitalism and political economy; social movements and cultural history; black intellectual traditions.
DANCE 218: Afro-Peruvian Dance
Instructor: Monica Rojas
MW | 10:30-12:20 p.m. | MNY 267
2-3 credits (A&H) | SLN: 13787
Course Description
Covers one or more of the following Afro-Peruvian dance genres: festejo, zapateo, lando, zamacueca, and/or marinera. Studio-based course that focuses on movement practice developed by African-descent populations in the Peruvian coast. Includes an introduction to the cultural, historical, and sociopolitical context in which the dances emerged and evolved.
DANCE 280: African Dance Techniques
Instructor: TBA
MW | 4:30-6:20 p.m. | MNY 265
2-3 credits (A&H) | SLN: 13794
Course Description
Studio instruction in traditional and contemporary dance techniques of Africa and the African diaspora.
GEOG 331 A: Global Poverty and Care
Instructor: Patricia Lopez
MW | 11:30am-1:20 p.m. | MUE 155
5 credits (DIV, SSc, W) | SLN: 16056
Course Description
Explores the causes and patterns of global poverty, and the urgent need for studies of care in both academic work and public policy. Considers the possibilities and challenges of caring across distance, and ways to respectfully engage with people in different places
Language courses
AMHAR 101: Elementary Amharic I
Instructor: Mehari Zemelak Worku
TTh | 10:30-12:20 p.m. | CDH 141
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 23211
Course Description
Enables students to acquire the Amharic language including its unique writing script. Familiarizes students with major historical and cultural aspects of Ethiopia. Includes multiple practice sessions targeted at developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
ARAB 101 / ARAB 511: Elementary Arabic
Instructor: Khalil Ahmed
MTWThF | 9:30-10:20 a.m. | ECE 045
MTWThF | 10:30-11:20 a.m. | THO 134, THO 125
5 credits | SLN: 10378, 10379, 10386, 10387
Course Description
Develops the four communicative language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Stresses communication skills and emphasizes the links between language and culture, using mainly Modern Standard Arabic, with exposure to Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. First in a sequence of three.
ARAB 201 / ARAB 521: Intermediate Arabic
Instructor: Amina Moujtahid
MWF | 9:30-10:50 a.m. | JHN 026
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 10380, 10388
Course Description
Explores aspects of Arab culture and emphasizes all skills of language acquisition: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students also learn more about Arab society in general and about features of Arab culture that influence the use of the language in daily life. Focuses on developing communication skills. First in a sequence of three.
ARAB 301 / ARAB 531: Third Year Arabic
Instructor: Amina Moujtahid
MWF | 11:00-12:20 p.m. | LOW 105
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 10381, 10389
Course Description
Helps students acquire an advanced proficiency in Arabic by focusing on developing all four skills of language acquisition: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Explores topics related to Arabic culture, Arabic society, Arabic music and arts, and Arabic literature.
ARAB 411/ ARAB 551: Arabic Through Song
Instructor: Hussein M. Elkhafaifi
M | 3:30-5:20 p.m. | DEN 258
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 10383, 10391
Course Description
Emphasizes history, language, and culture explored, learned, and analyzed via songs. Considers how song reflects and portrays language and its usage; current and past events; and cultural nuances.
Arab 541: Current Issues In Arab Media
Instructor: Amina Moujtahid
MTWThF | 10:30-11:20 a.m. | MGH 291
5 credits | SLN: 10390
Course Description
Studies authentic, unedited Arabic language materials from Arabic media. Topics include politics, economics, business, sports, and women’s issues. Emphasis on developing fluency in oral and written expression through discussions, debates, presentations, and written work. Taught in Arabic.
FRENCH 101: Elementary French
Instructor: Helene Collins, Irina Markina
MTWThF | 10:30-11:20 a.m. | Synchronous Online
MTWThF | 1:30-2:20 p.m. | SMI 313
5 credits | SLN: 14765, 14766
Course Description
Development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to a basic level of proficiency. Teaches students to communicate in French and understand the cultural context of the language. Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Oral practice in the language laboratory is required. First in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 102: Elementary French
Instructor: Claire Wagenseil, Helene Collins
MTWThF | 12:30-1:20 p.m. | CHL 105
MTWThF | 1:30-2:20 p.m. | Synchronous Online
5 credits | SLN: 14767, 21380
Course Description
Development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to a basic level of proficiency. Teaches students to communicate in French and understand the cultural context of the language. Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Oral practice in the language laboratory is required. Second in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 101: Elementary French
Instructor: Helene V. Collins, Lamia C. Mezzour-Hodson
MTWThF | 9:30-10:20 a.m. | THO 234
MTWThF | 11:30 a.m-12:20 p.m. | SAV 162
MTWThF | 12:30-1:20 p.m. | THO 231
MTWThF | 1:30-2:20 p.m. | THO 331
5 credits | SLN: 15581, 15582, 15583, 15584
Course Description
Development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to a basic level of proficiency. Teaches students to communicate in French and understand the cultural context of the language. Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Oral practice in the language laboratory is required. First in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 102: Elementary French
Instructor: TBA
MTWThF | 9:30-10:20 a.m. | THO 331
MTWThF | 10:30 a.m-11:20 p.m. | Synchronous Online
5 credits | SLN: 15585, 23325
Course Description
Development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to a basic level of proficiency. Teaches students to communicate in French and understand the cultural context of the language. Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Oral practice in the language laboratory is required. Second in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 103: Elementary French
Instructor: Hedwige Meyer
MTWThF | 10:30 a.m-11:20 p.m. | RAI 107
5 credits | SLN: 15592
Course Description
Development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to a basic level of proficiency. Teaches students to communicate in French and understand the cultural context of the language. Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Oral practice in the language laboratory is required. Third in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 201: Intermediate French
Instructor: Irina Markina, Hedwige Meyer
MTWThF | 12:30-1:20 p.m. | SAV 131, RAI 116
MTWThF | 11:30-12:20 p.m. | RAI 107
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 15605, 15606
Course Description
Designed to bring students to an intermediate level of proficiency. Emphasis on experiencing the language in context through a multi-media approach. First in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 203: Intermediate French
Instructor: TBA
MTWThF | 11:30-12:20 p.m. | THO 331
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 15611
Course Description
Designed to bring students to an intermediate level of proficiency. Emphasis on experiencing the language in context through a multi-media approach. Third in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 216: Literature in Translation
Instructor: Richard H. Watts
MTWThF | 2:30-4:20 p.m. | MLR 301
3-5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 15612
Course Description
Introduction to the study of literary works in translation and the contexts and movements from which they emerge. All readings and discussions in English.
FRENCH 301: Language In The Francophone World
Instructor: Irina Markina
MTWThF | 10:30-12:20 p.m. | THO 335
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 15618
Course Description
Introduces students to varieties of the French language across time and space. Considers language diversity in France and the uses and varieties of the French language in world regions where it plays an important role, with particular attention to the history of its establishment and the implications of its current status. Develops advanced language skills and cultural competency through oral and written production in the target language.
SWA 101: Basic Swahili
Instructor: Jacqueline Waita
MTWThF | 11:30 a.m-12:20 p.m. | MGH 288
MTWThF | 12:30-1:20 p.m. | MGH 288
5 credits | SLN: 22047, 22048
Course Description
Introduces the Swahili language and the diverse cultures and customs of the people of East Africa. Provides a basic foundation in speaking, reading, and writing. First in a sequence of three.
PORT 110: Accelerated Elementary Portuguese
Instructor: TBA, Eduardo Viana Da Silva
MTWThF | 11:30-12:20 p.m. | SAV 158
MTWThF | 1:30-2:20 p.m. | SAV 158
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 20773, 20774
Course Description
Covers the equivalent of PORT 101 and PORT 102 to prepare for . May not be taken in addition to PORT 101 or PORT 102.
PORT 202: Intermediate Portuguese
Instructor: Eduardo Viana Da Silva
MTWThF | 12:30 -1:20 p.m. | SAV 158
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 20775
Course Description
Modern texts, compositions, conversation, and a systematic review of grammar. Second in a sequence of three.
SWA 201: Intermediate Swahili
Instructor: Jacqueline Waita
MTWThF | 9:30-10:20 a.m. | MGH 288
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 22049
Course Description
Builds proficiency in the language by speaking, reading, and writing. Includes children’s stories, newspaper articles, poetry, and folklore. First in a sequence of three.