African Studies
The study of a world region is intended to provide liberal arts majors with a broad, integrated overview of the influences that have shaped, and continue to shape, its internal evolution as well as the role it plays in the world. The African studies major introduces students to the cultural, economic, historical and political forces, arising inside and outside the continent, that have combined to determine the past, present and future of Sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition to the course requirements below, International Studies majors must be proficient in a language other than English. To learn more about the language requirement, visit the World Language Requirement page.
To learn more about major requirements, check out the links below. Requirements and course offerings do change, so if you have any questions please reach out to internationalstudies@osu.edu or contact your academic advisor.
African Studies Major Requirements
Bachelor of Arts
For students admitted to OSU prior to Autumn 2023, please schedule an appointment with an advisor.
World Language Requirement: All International Studies majors must be proficient in a language other than English (2000 level)
International Studies is an 11 course major (33 hours) (World Language does not count toward this total)
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete one course each in Advanced Writing (AW), Data Analysis (DA) and Technology (TECH) as part of the major.
Required Foundations: 6 hours
- INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization (AW) - ideally taken sophomore year
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (AW) - ideally taken senior year
Methods & Analysis: 3 hours (choose one)
- Geography 4103 - Introductory Spatial Data Analysis (DA)
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data (DA)
- Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization (DA)
- Sociology 5650 - Presenting & Communicating Quantitative Data (DA)
Primary Specialization: any 5 courses from list below (15 hours)
Secondary Specialization: any 3 courses from list below (9 hours)
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- AAAS 4565 - Topics in African Diaspora Studies
- AAAS 5485.01 - Southern Africa: Society & Culture
- AAAS 5485.02 - West Africa: Culture & Society
- ANTHROP 3418 - Anthropology of Africa
- COMM 3554 - Social Implications of Communication Technology (TECH)
- HISTORY 2303 - History of Contemporary Africa, 1960 – Present
- HISTORY 3301 - History of Modern West Africa, post 1800
- HISTORY 3307 - History of African Health & Healing
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in Information Technology (TECH)
- INTSTDS/HISTART 3905 - The Developing World on Screen
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 4701 - The Development & Control of WMDs (TECH)
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- POLITSC 4250 - African Politics
- RELSTDS 3674 - African Religions
- SOCIOL 3302 - Technology & Global Society (TECH)
Bachelor of Science
For students admitted to OSU prior to Autumn 2025, please schedule an appointment with an advisor.
World Language Requirement: All International Studies majors must be proficient in a language other than English (2000 level)
International Studies is an 11 course major (33 hours) (World Language does not count toward this total)
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
These courses are part of the major - one course in Advanced Writing (AW); one in Technology (TECH); and complete a 3-course sequence in Data Analysis (DA).
Required Foundations: 2 courses (6 hours)
- INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization (AW) - ideally taken sophomore year
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (AW) - ideally taken senior year
Data Analysis: 3 courses (9 hours)
Choose one 3-course Series, and complete the 3 courses from that one Series
- Series 1
- Geography 4103 - Introductory Spatial Data Analysis
- Geography 5103 - Intermediate Spatial Data Analysis
- Geography 5210 - Fundamentals of Geographic Information System
- Series 2
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data or Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization
- Political Science 4781- Data Literacy in Political Science I
- Political Science 4782 - Data Literacy in Political Science II
- Series 3 (check course catalog for prerequisites for 3301 and 3302)
- Statistics 2450.01 or 2450.02 Introduction to Statistical Analysis I
- Statistics 3301 - Statistical Modeling for Discovery I:
- Prerequisites: MATH 2568 and STAT 3202 and 3201
- Statistics 3302 - Statistical Modeling for Discovery II
Specialization: Choose 6 courses (18 hours)
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- AAAS 4565 - Topics in African Diaspora Studies
- AAAS 5485.01 - Southern Africa: Society & Culture
- AAAS 5485.02 - West Africa: Culture & Society
- ANTHROP 3418 - Anthropology of Africa
- COMM 3554 - Social Implications of Communication Technology (TECH)
- HISTORY 2303 - History of Contemporary Africa, 1960 – Present
- HISTORY 3301 - History of Modern West Africa, post 1800
- HISTORY 3307 - History of African Health & Healing
- INTSTDS/GEOG 3650 - A World Divided? Place, Space, and Regions in World Affairs
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in Information Technology (TECH)
- INTSTDS/HISTART 3905 - The Developing World on Screen
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 4701 - The Development & Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction (TECH)
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- POLITSC 4250 - African Politics
- RELSTDS 3674 - African Religions
- SOCIOL 3302 - Technology & Global Society (TECH)