Mar 28, 2024  
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2015-2017 
    
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2015-2017 [Archived Catalog]

African Studies - MA


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Degree Title: Master of Arts

Program Name and Number: African Studies - MA4206

Department/Unit: Center for International Studies

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Program Learning Objectives

  • Students will be prepared to communicate African issues orally and in writing in a professional manner
  • Students will have broad familiarity with Africa’s geographic, historical and linguistic variety
  • Students will be familiar with a variety of methodological approaches to African research and relevant ethical problems
  • Students will be prepared to investigate and analyze African social and cultural issues
  • Students will be able to mount independent research projects focusing on African content
  • Students will be prepared to work in multicultural settings on African and related projects

Program Overview: The African Studies Program at Ohio University provides students, scholars, and members of the broader community opportunities to develop their understanding of this important world region.  As an inter-disciplinary program, the African Studies Program strives to provide students with a strong grounding in the traditional African Studies core disciplines (including political science, anthropology, history, geography, literature) while giving them the opportunity to form their course of study around their professional and academic goals. Themes include the socioeconomic development of the continent in the context of Africa’s grand cultural and historical traditions. Students may also view the study of Africa as an excellent case-study of the process of social change in the developing world.

Opportunities for Graduates: Graduates of the African Studies program have gone on to pursue career opportunities all over the world  in politics, foreign service, public health, government and non-governmental organizations, and international development agencies, as well as teaching and research.

Link to Program: http://www.african.ohio.edu/

Link to Program Handbook: african.studies@ohio.edu

Graduation Requirements:  A minimum of 48 total credit hours and a capstone project is needed to complete the program.  Required hours include 1) core course requirements 2) language requirements and 3)  elective courses. Capstone options include 1) Comprehensive written exam, 2) Professional Project and 3) Thesis. Students entering with language proficiency may waive the language requirement.

  1. Core Course Requirements (32-36 credit hours):
    • Seminars: (8 credits):
      • Readings in African Studies
      • African Literature
    • Required area courses (8 credits):
      • Political Science
      • History
    • Social Science and Arts & Humanities: (12-16 credits):
      • At least two Social Science courses in: Geography, Political Science, Economics, Anthropology
      • At least two Arts & Humanities courses in: Dance, Music, Interdisciplinary Arts, Literature, Religion, Film/Communication
    • Research Methods (4 credits): Field Research in Africa; see other departments for additional options.
  2. Language Requirements (8-12 credit hours):
    • One year of an African language at OU: Akan, Arabic, Setswana, Somali, Swahili, Wolof
    • Summer Intensive programs - You may fulfill your language requirement during the summer language intensive programs
  3. Elective course requirements (8-12 credit hours):
    • Summer sessions (minimum 9 credit hours, maximum 18).  Several short-term, intensive courses are offered during the summer that enables students to gain a full semesters worth of credit. Some courses may also count towards the core program requirements. Students may also earn credit through OU Summer Programs in various African countries OR Intensive language summer programs.
    • In addition to the program core requirements, students will enroll in a discipline or professional area of your choice (i.e. Anthropology, Business, Communications, Economics, Education, Environmental Sustainability, Geography, Health and Human Services, History, Humanities, Political Science, Public Administration).

Admission Requirements: In addition to university admission requirements of a minimum of a 4-year bachelor’s degree and a TOEFL of 80+ for non-native English speakers, students need to also submit:

  1. Resume or CV
  2. A personal statement or statement of purpose: Should speak to your career goals and how the program fits into that
  3. An autobiographical sketch: Should highlight your experiences and how they influenced your decision to apply to the program
  4. 3 letters of recommendation: Should be academic references.

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