African Studies

http://www.coas.howard.edu/africanstudies/

The Department of African Studies (DAS) provides an opportunity for Howard students to acquire an objective view of the present position of Africa in the modern (and changing) world, as well as an understanding of Africa's economic, social, and political problems. The department has adopted an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Africa at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. At the undergraduate level, the department educates students who wish to continue their studies in African affairs or are preparing to work in this field.

The DAS offers the only undergraduate major in African Studies in the United States. Students graduating from the department typically go on to undertake further study and professional careers in African and international affairs as well as obtain employment in fields such as teaching, law, social work, communications, business, non-governmental and governmental organizations.

The mission of the DAS at the undergraduate level is to provide an opportunity for Howard students to acquire, through interdisciplinary study, a comprehensive understanding of Africa’s role and relations in the contemporary world. The department has specialists representing many disciplines who expose students to an integrated approach to studying a range of African political, historical, economic, social and cultural issues and to the critical skills for analyzing and addressing Africa’s challenges.

The Department of African Studies encourages students to seek and take advantage of internship opportunities available in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and elsewhere nationally and internationally. The Director of Undergraduate Studies as well as the Chairperson and other faculty members of the department assist students in identifying and obtaining such internships that provide practical experiences in professional and community service settings.

Students doing internships register for AFST 183 or AFST 195: Internship in African Studies and prepare a research paper or work on other projects approved by the professor and/or the internship director. Only African Studies majors with senior standing can gain academic credit for internship.