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Ohio University alumni join students at South Africa study abroad reception.
African Studies
Understanding Contemporary Realities, Imagining Global Futures

African Studies

Ohio University's African Studies Program explores the African continent's emerging aspirations and trajectories in the 21st century. The program was founded in 1964 amidst the excitement emanating from the decolonization of the continent and the awareness of the important role Africa could play in world affairs.

Today, we examine African futures through research on political and economic developments, medical and technological innovations, sociocultural transformations, literary and artistic productions, and environment and sustainability initiatives.

By focusing on themes of dynamism and resiliency in relation to African and African diasporic peoples, this program prepares students for careers in international development, diplomacy and foreign affairs, business and entrepreneurship, academic research, cultural and creative industries, environmental and sustainability consulting, non-profit management, technology and innovation, and media and journalism.

Study Africa: Degrees & Languages

Study Africa: Here or Abroad

OHIO's Renowned African Studies Program

Our African Studies Program is one of the leading African Studies programs in the United States. It has built its strong international reputation by actively recruiting and training students from diverse African nations in various academic and professional fields — notably education, history, political science, media, arts, and public health.

The program was recognized as a Department of Education National Resource Center (NRC) until 2014, and it has made significant contributions to teaching African languages training African language teachers in the United States.

OHIO faculty are currently pursuing academic research and educational development projects in Botswana, Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, South Africa, and Tanzania. At OHIO, Alden Library reflects and enables these research interests with its extensive Africana holdings, including a unique collection of manuscripts in the Tigrinya language, and other indigenous language texts. It is the North American Depository for documents from Botswana and Swaziland.

Ohio University Press is recognized as a global leader in African Studies, publishing prominent and award-winning African writings and books on African history, literature, anthropology and politics since the 1960s.

Global Partners

The African Studies Program is proud of OHIO's recent and current partnerships and collaborations with universities and organizations around the world.

Botswana

  • Botha University
  • Botswana Ministry of Health
  • University of Botswana

Ethiopia

  • Woldia University

Ghana

  • Garden City University College
  • Kwame Nkruma University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
  • University of Cape Coast
  • University of Ghana 

Great Britain

The OHIO African Studies Program is proud to partner with the University of London SOAS Global Council on Linguistic and Cultural Anthropology (GLOCAL). SOAS GLOCAL is at the center of a global network of scholarship on Linguistic Anthropology, Sociolinguistics, and Language and Society.

Kenya

  • Kenyatta University
  • National Museums of Kenya

Rwanda

  • University of Rwanda

Senegal

  • University Cheikh Anta Diop
  • West African Research Center

Sierra Leone

  • University of Sierra Leone

South Africa

  • University of Johannesburg
  • University of Western Cape

Tanzania

  • University of Dar es Salaam

The Gambia

  • University of The Gambia

Research & Expertise about Africa

Contact Us

African Studies Faculty Directory

Director: Dr. Ghirmai Negash

African Studies Program
Yamada International House
56 E. Union St.
Athens, Ohio 45701

Email: negashg@ohio.edu or international.studies@ohio.edu 

Telephone: 740-593-1832

Yamada International House is on Ohio University College Green, at the top of Jefferson Hill and near Templeton Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.

We invite you to stop into our office during normal business hours to learn more about the African Studies program, as well as our other international programs.