A certificate in African Studies consists of 16 credits (4 courses). All certificate courses must be taken at PSU. This certificate can be earned on its own, separate from completion of a bachelor’s degree.
Students will be required to take 4 courses of Africa-related content. Most of these will be approved courses in the Black Studies department. Students can take a maximum of two Africa-related courses outside of the Black Studies department (below).
Black Studies Africa-related Courses
- BST211U: Introduction to African Studies
- BST 305U: African History, Before 1800
- BST 306U: African History, 1800–Present
- BST 333U: Protests & People Power in Contemporary Africa
- BST 363U: African Cinema & African Cultures
- BST 301U: Women in African History
- BST 319U: Traditional Cultures of Africa
- BST 362U: African Prehistory
- BST 368U: Gender & Sexualities in Africa
- BST/INTL 372U: Post-colonial Studies of Africa
- BST384U: African Immigrant Communities in Oregon
- BST 353: African Women in Film
- HST 412: Topics in African History and Culture
- BST 396: Research Methodologies in Black Studies
- BST 399U: Special Studies
- BST 422U: African Fiction
- BST 467: African Development Issues
- BST406: Special Projects (May be taken as a study abroad course or may be adapted to accommodate any African Studies-related project. Consult Black Studies department chair for more details.)
Africa-related Courses from Other Departments (up to 8 credits)
May not be offered regularly, check Course Projection Guide
- Anth 363U: Egyptian Archaeology: From Earliest Peoples to Pyramid Age
- ARH 351U: Ancient Near Eastern & Egyptian Art
- ARH 426U: African Art
- CR427: Nationalism & Ethnic Conflict
- EC350: Economics of Developing Countries
- FR 435: Francophone Literature of the 20th Century
- GEOG 363U: Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa
- Ling 481: World Englishes
- MUS 374U: World Music: Africa & the Middle East
- PS 355U: Introduction to African Politics
- PS 472: Democratization & Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa
- PS 473: Government & Politics of Arab North Africa
- SWAH 330: Topics in East African Culture & Civilization
Study Abroad Opportunities
We encourage students to take advantage of study abroad opportunities in select African countries, particularly Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe. By participating in these study abroad programs, students will acquire firsthand experiential and practical understanding of the continent. Study Abroad courses can count towards the Certificate when approved through the Course Substitution process. See the program advisor for more details.