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.
Students pursuing both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree are required to complete a minimum of two years of foreign language study in a language appropriate to the chosen specialization. Ohio State currently offers courses in Arabic and French.
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
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic and French. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course (Arabic 2104.01 or French 2101.0).
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing (AW), Data Analysis (DA) and Technology (TECH). These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below.
Required Foundations: 6 hours
- INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (AW)
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 & Secondary Specialization
If African Studies is your Primary Specialization, choose five courses (15 hours). You will choose an additional 3 courses (9 hours) for your Secondary Specialization.
If African Studies is your Secondary Specialization, choose three courses (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)
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic and French. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course (Arabic 2104.01 or French 2101.0).
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing (AW), Data Analysis (DA) and Technology (TECH). These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below.
Required Foundations: 4 courses (12 hours)
- AAAS 4530 - African Political Economy
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4534 - Comparative Challenges to Economic Development
- INTSTDS 2000 - Introduction to Africa
- Political Science - 4250 African Politics
Critical Perspectives: choose 4 courses (12 hours), must include one EL Technology, one EL Advanced Writing, and one EL Data Analysis
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- AAAS/INTSTDS 4515 - Ethnicity, Development and the State in Sub-Saharan Africa
- AAAS 4527 - Pan-Africanism and Nationalism
- AAAS 4557 - History of South Africa
- AAAS 5485.01 - Southern Africa: Society and Culture
- AAAS 5485.02 - West Africa: Society & Culture
- Anthropology 3418 - Regional Survey of the Anthropology of Africa
- Comparative Studies 3674 - African Religions
- INTSTDS 3400 - Analysis & Display of Data (EL Data Analysis)
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in the Information Age (EL Technology)
- INTSTDS 4700 - Terror & Terrorism (EL Advanced Writing)
- INTSTDS 4701 - The Development & Control of WMDs (EL Technology)
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (EL Advanced Writing)
- Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization (EL Data Analysis)
Electives: choose 2 courses (6 hours)
For electives, students can choose any combination of two courses from other International Studies specializations, the list below and unused courses from the Critical Perspectives.
- AAAS 3376 - Arts and Cultures of Africa and the Diaspora
- AAAS 4460 - Theories in Africana Literature
- AAAS 4565 - Topics in African Diaspora Studies
- History of Art 3101 - Philosophy of African Art
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- WGSST 5623 - African Women: History and Socioeconomic Change
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic and French. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course (Arabic 2104.01 or French 2101.0).
Required Foundations: 4 courses (12 hours)
- AAAS 4530 - African Political Economy
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4534 - Comparative Challenges to Economic Development
- INTSTDS 2000 - Introduction to Africa
- Political Science - 4250 African Politics
Critical Perspectives: choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- AAAS/INTSTDS 4515 - Ethnicity, Development and the State in Sub-Saharan Africa
- AAAS 4527 - Pan-Africanism and Nationalism
- AAAS 4557 - History of South Africa
- AAAS 4570 - Theorizing Colonialism in the Post-Colonial
- AAAS 5485.01 - Southern Africa: Society and Culture
- AAAS 5485.02 - West Africa: Society & Culture
- Anthropology 3418 - Regional Survey of the Anthropology of Africa
- Comparative Studies 3674 - African Religions
- Geography 5752 - South Africa: Society and Space
- INTSTDS 4000 - Comparative Ethnic Systems States and Identity
Electives: choose 2 courses (6 hours)
For electives, students can choose any combination of two courses from other International Studies specializations, the list below and unused courses from the Critical Perspectives.
- AAAS 3342H - Music, Religion, and Ritual in Africa
- AAAS 3376 - Arts and Cultures of Africa and the Diaspora
- AAAS 3451 - Themes in Francophone African and Caribbean
- AAAS 4460 - Theories in Africana Literature
- AAAS 4565 - Topics in African Diaspora Studies
- AAAS 4584H - Literature and Modern Experience in Africa
- History of Art 3101 - Philosophy of African Art
- History of Art 4121 - Contemporary African Art: 1920 - Present
- International Studies 3400 - The Analysis and Display of Data
- International Studies 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- International Studies 5191 - Student Internship Program
- WGSST 5623 - African Women: History and Socioeconomic Change
Bachelor of Science
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic and French. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course (Arabic 2104.01 or French 2101.0).
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing, Data Analysis, and Technology. These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below. The Stats 2450.01 prerequisite satisfies the EL Data Analysis.
Required Minor:
Students must complete one of the following minors, or a second major in the same field:
- Agribusiness: 4-5 courses (minimum 12 hours)
- Prerequisite: AEDECON 2001, or Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02
- Business: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Prerequisites: Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02, CSE 1110 or higher, Math 1130 or 1148 or math placement in M or L.
- City and Regional Planning: 4 courses (12 hours)
- Environmental Science: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Geographic Information Science: 6 courses (18 hours)
- Global Public Health: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Information Security: 6 courses (16 hours)
- Consult INTSTDS advisor for prerequisites and scheduling
- International Business: 6 courses (15 hours)
- Quantitative Economics: 5 courses (15-16 hours)
Critical Perspectives: choose 4 courses (12 hours), must include one EL Technology, one EL Advanced Writing, and one EL Data Analysis
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- AAAS/INTSTDS 4515 - Ethnicity, Development and the State in Sub-Saharan Africa
- AAAS 4527 - Pan-Africanism and Nationalism
- AAAS 4557 - History of South Africa
- AAAS 5485.01 - Southern Africa: Society and Culture
- AAAS 5485.02 - West Africa: Society & Culture
- Anthropology 3418 - Regional Survey of the Anthropology of Africa
- Comparative Studies 3674 - African Religions
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in the Information Age (EL Technology)
- INTSTDS 4700 - Terror & Terrorism (EL Advanced Writing)
- INTSTDS 4701 - The Development and Control of WMDs (EL Technology)
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (EL Advanced Writing)
Electives: choose 1 course (3 hours)
For the elective, students can choose from the list below, unused courses from the Critical Perspectives, or a courses from other International Studies specializations.
- AAAS 3376 - Arts and Cultures of Africa and the Diaspora
- AAAS 4460 - Theories in Africana Literature
- AAAS 4565 - Topics in African Diaspora Studies
- History of Art 3101 - Philosophy of African Art
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- WGSST 5623 - African Women: History and Socioeconomic Change
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic and French. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course (Arabic 2104.01 or French 2101.0).
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing, Data Analysis, and Technology. These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below. The Stats 2450.01 prerequisite satisfies the EL Data Analysis.
Required Minor:
Students must complete one of the following minors, or a second major in the same field:
- Agribusiness: 4-5 courses (minimum 12 hours)
- Prerequisite: AEDECON 2001, or Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02
- Business: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Prerequisites: Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02, CSE 1110 or higher, Math 1130 or 1148 or math placement in M or L.
- City and Regional Planning: 4 courses (12 hours)
- Environmental Science: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Geographic Information Science: 6 courses (18 hours)
- Global Public Health: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Information Security: 6 courses (16 hours)
- Consult INTSTDS advisor for prerequisites and scheduling
- International Business: 6 courses (15 hours)
- Quantitative Economics: 5 courses (15-16 hours)
Critical Perspectives: choose 4 courses (12 hours), must include one EL Technology, one EL Advanced Writing, and one EL Data Analysis
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- AAAS/INTSTDS 4515 - Ethnicity, Development and the State in Sub-Saharan Africa
- AAAS 4527 - Pan-Africanism and Nationalism
- AAAS 4557 - History of South Africa
- AAAS 5485.01 - Southern Africa: Society and Culture
- AAAS 5485.02 - West Africa: Society & Culture
- Anthropology 3418 - Regional Survey of the Anthropology of Africa
- Comparative Studies 3674 - African Religions
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in the Information Age (EL Technology)
- INTSTDS 4700 - Terror & Terrorism (EL Advanced Writing)
- INTSTDS 4701 - The Development and Control of WMDs (EL Technology)
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (EL Advanced Writing)
Electives: choose 1 course (3 hours)
For the elective, students can choose from the list below, unused courses from the Critical Perspectives, or a courses from other International Studies specializations.
- AAAS 3376 - Arts and Cultures of Africa and the Diaspora
- AAAS 4460 - Theories in Africana Literature
- AAAS 4565 - Topics in African Diaspora Studies
- History of Art 3101 - Philosophy of African Art
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- WGSST 5623 - African Women: History and Socioeconomic Change
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic and French. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course (Arabic 2104.01 or French 2101.0).
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing, Data Analysis, and Technology. These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below. The Stats 2450.01 prerequisite satisfies the EL Data Analysis.
Required Minor:
Students must complete one of the following minors, or a second major in the same field:
- Agribusiness: 4-5 courses (minimum 12 hours)
- Prerequisite: AEDECON 2001, or Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02
- Business: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Prerequisites: Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02, CSE 1110 or higher, Math 1130 or 1148 or math placement in M or L.
- City and Regional Planning: 4 courses (12 hours)
- Environmental Science: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Geographic Information Science: 6 courses (18 hours)
- Global Public Health: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Information Security: 6 courses (16 hours)
- Consult INTSTDS advisor for prerequisites and scheduling
- International Business: 6 courses (15 hours)
- Quantitative Economics: 5 courses (15-16 hours)
Required Foundations: 4 courses (12 hours)
- AAAS 4530 - African Political Economy
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4534 - Comparative Challenges to Economic Development
- INTSTDS 2000 - Introduction to Africa
- Political Science 4250 - African Politics
Critical Perspectives: choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- AAAS/INTSTDS 4515 - Ethnicity, Development and the State in Sub-Saharan Africa
- AAAS 4527 - Pan-Africanism and Nationalism
- AAAS 4557 - History of South Africa
- AAAS 4570 - Theorizing Colonialism in the Post-Colonial
- AAAS 5485.01 - Southern Africa: Society and Culture
- AAAS 5485.02 - West Africa: Society & Culture
- Anthropology 3418 - Regional Survey of the Anthropology of Africa
- Comparative Studies 3674 - African Religions
- Geography 5752 - South Africa: Society and Space
- INTSTDS 4000 - Comparative Ethnic Systems States and Identity
Electives: choose 1 course (3 hours)
For the elective, students can choose from the list below, unused courses from the Critical Perspectives, or a courses from other International Studies specializations.
- AAAS 3342H - Music, Religion, and Ritual in Africa
- AAAS 3376 - Arts and Cultures of Africa and the Diaspora
- AAAS 3451 - Themes in Francophone African and Caribbean
- AAAS 4460 - Theories in Africana Literature
- AAAS 4565 - Topics in African Diaspora Studies
- AAAS 4584H - Literature and Modern Experience in Africa
- History of Art 3101 - Philosophy of African Art
- History of Art 4121 - Contemporary African Art: 1920 - Present
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis and Display of Data
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- WGSST 5623 - African Women: History and Socioeconomic Change