Courses
For a full course listing,
African Studies courses offered in Spring 2027
AFST 110 A: Introduction to Africana Studies
Online Asynchronous, (TAG: Ethical Deliberation), LaRue
100-Level Course
AFST 110 A: Introduction to African Studies
This course explores the significance of Africa and its global descendants through an interdisciplinary approach. The critical methodologies of the humanities and social sciences will be used to consider some of the questions provoked by African and African diasporan experiences. For example, is an African diaspora an objective reality or has it existed solely in response to American and European notions of racial difference? What have been the characteristics encompassed by that reality or those notions of race? Course materials will allow students to survey the lasting contributions of Africans and their descendants to the development of various world civilizations. (TAG: Ethical Deliberation)
African Studies courses offered in Fall 2026
AFST 228 A: African Politics
Monday 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Online Synchronous, Okpotor
AFST 263 A: Civil Rights & Moral LIfe
Monday & Wednesday 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. In-Person, Denton-Borhaug (U2) (PTK: Social Systems) (TAG: Ethical Deliberation)
200-Level Courses
AFST 228 A: African Politics
This course provides an understanding of politics and policy in Africa that is devoid of common stereotypes. Students will gain an appreciation of the many success stories on the continent and of the lingering challenges. We will draw from a variety of readings, books, articles, reports, documentaries and news reports. Topics to be discussed include the colonial state; the postcolonial state; elections, democratization and political change; political economy and development; gender and politics; religion and politics; ethnicity and politics; conflict and violence; African international relations. Prerequisites: POSC 110 or POSC 115 or POSC 120 or POSC 125 or POSC 127 or instructor permission.
AFST 263 A: Civil Rights & Moral Life
Many forces and ideas shaped the civil rights movement. Through both a historical and a theological / philosophical lens, students will examine those forces and ideas and will consider how the power and depth of the movement continues to challenge us with its continued relevance today. The course includes in-close examinations of key events in the movement, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Nashville sit-ins, in order to view the movement from the vantage of people involved in the movement. (U2) (PTK: Social Systems) (TAG: Ethical Deliberation) Denton-Borhaug, Mayer