The University of Florida (UF) offers comprehensive programs dedicated to the study of Africa and the African diaspora. These programs, housed within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS), provide students with diverse academic perspectives and opportunities for research, community engagement, and global connections.
Century Tower at the University of Florida
Center for African Studies
The University of Florida Center for African Studies (CAS) is a vital hub for promoting excellence in teaching and research on Africa across various disciplines. As a Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center, the Center supports research, teaching, outreach, and the development of international linkages, playing a crucial role in addressing issues critical for understanding Africa in the global context.
Mission and Scope
The Center's mission is to:
- Promote excellence in teaching and research on Africa in all disciplines at the University of Florida.
- Disseminate knowledge about Africa to the wider community through outreach programs.
- Sustain contacts and expand interactive linkages with individuals and institutions on the African continent.
The Center boasts over 100 affiliated teaching and research faculty in diverse fields, including:
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- Languages
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Agriculture
- Business
- Engineering
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Environmental Studies and Conservation
- Journalism
- Law
African Studies Quarterly (ASQ)
The Center for African Studies founded the African Studies Quarterly (ASQ) to promote research on Africa beyond that undertaken by University of Florida faculty and graduate students.
African Studies Collection at the University of Florida Libraries
The African Studies Collection at the University of Florida Libraries is recognized as a unique resource within the University of Florida's George A. Smathers Libraries. Its holdings include disciplinary topics from the natural sciences and applied fields such as agriculture and public health, to the social sciences, humanities, and professions.
Notable print holdings include:
- The George Fortune collection of Southern Bantu linguistics (especially Shona)
- The Donald Abraham collection of Lusophone culture and history (concentrating on Angola and Mozambique)
- Gwendolen M. Carter collection of African political ephemera
The libraries also feature various digital collections, such as:
- The Arts of Africa = Les Arts d'Afrique
- Photographs of Africa Collection
- Wildlife Conservation
- Jean Marie Derscheid
- Onitsha Market Literature
- Martin Rikli Photographs Collection
- African Maps
Example of items available in the UF Digital Collection
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African American Studies Program
The African American Studies program is one of the fastest-growing majors at UF. It provides students with innovative courses that examine the African American experience through creative cultural methods of teaching. This interdisciplinary major equips students with vital analytical, writing, research, and communication skills.
Curriculum and Skills
The curriculum emphasizes engagement with:
- Anthropology
- Mass Communications
- Education
- English
- History
- Linguistics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religion
- Sociology
- Women’s Studies
Career Opportunities
Graduates with a degree in African American Studies can pursue careers in:
- Management and Industry
- Communications and Media
- Education
- Non-Profit Management and Advocacy
- Government, Politics and Law
- Health Careers
Course Requirements
The major requires 30 credits of coursework in African American studies core and elective courses. All coursework must be completed with minimum grades of C. A minimum of 15 credits of coursework in the major must be completed at UF.
Study Abroad
The African American Studies Program currently sponsors one study abroad course: a two-credit African Americans in Paris course offered during the Spring semester. This course includes the study of the African American cultural, historical, and political experience in Paris, France.
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Mission
The African American Studies program’s mission closely resembles that of the university, emphasizing exceptional teaching, outstanding scholarly research and service to the campus and the larger Gainesville community. The primary emphasis is to educate students about the theories and methodologies pertaining to the study of African Americans. Students will be able to compare and contrast the experiences of people of African descent in the US to those in the wider African Diaspora. They also will learn through participation in community-service activities.
Course Offerings in African Studies
The Center offers a variety of courses that provide academic perspectives on topics such as development, politics, health, environmental conservation, economics, religion, gender, and culture. Here are some examples:
- AFS 2002 The African Experience: An Introduction to African Studies
- AFS 3300 Poverty and Development in Africa
- AFS 3352 Culture, Health and Arts in Sub-Saharan Africa
- AFS 3800 Childhood in African Literature and Cinema
- AFS 3930 Special Topics in African Studies
- AFS 4240 The African Family
- AFS 4315 Critical Issues in Contemporary Africa
- AFS 4330 Women and Politics in Africa
- AFS 4340 Community Conservation and Rural Development in Africa
- AFS 4345 Political Economy of Conservation in Africa
- AFS 4365 Urban Africa Today
- AFS 4905 Individual Work
- AFS 4911 Undergraduate Research in African Studies
Additional Resources
The African Student Resource Center is a space created by and for African Graduate Students to engage, connect, & learn about resources on & off-campus.
Graduate students pursuing training in African languages at UF are encouraged to apply for Foreign Language and Areas Studies (FLAS) Fellowships offered through the Center.
| Program | Focus | Key Features | Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center for African Studies | Research and teaching on Africa | Diverse faculty, outreach programs, international linkages | FLAS Fellowships, research grants |
| African American Studies | Interdisciplinary study of African American experience | Innovative courses, community engagement, skill development | Careers in various sectors, study abroad programs |
