Courses & Resources for the M.A. in African Studies
Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 48 total credit hours and a capstone project is needed to complete the program.
Full Graduation Requirements and Courses in the Official Academic Catalog
Capstone options include: a comprehensive written exam, a professional project, or a thesis.
Culminating Experience details
Program Requirements
Core Courses
- INST 5100 - Readings in African Studies
- HIST 5410 - History of Africa to 1850
- HIST 5411 - History of Africa Since 1850
- ENG 7800 - Special Studies Seminar (Topic of ENG 7800 must be African Literature.)
Social Sciences
Complete at least two social science courses in at least two different disciplines. Select from the following list, unless substitution is approved by the program director.
Commonly selected courses include:
- Anthropology: Dr. Diane Ciekawy
- Economics: Dr. Julia Paxton
- Education: Dr. Emmanuel Jean Francois
- Geography: Drs. Edna Wangui, Tom Smucker
- Health: Dr. Caroline Kingori
- History: Dr. Assan Sarr
- Political Science: Dr. Brandon Kendhammer
Arts & Humanities
Complete at least two arts and/or humanities courses in at least two different disciplines.
Commonly selected courses include:
- Dance: Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge
- Communication: Drs. Jenny Nelson, Vibert Cambridge, Ben Bates
- Interdisciplinary Arts: Dr. Andrea Frohne
- Literature: Dr. Ghirmai Negash
- Media: Dr. Steve Howard
- Music: Dr. Paschal Younge
- Religion: Drs. Loren Lybarger, Aaron Glaim
Research Methods
Complete at least one research methods course, consisting of the following course (or another graduate research course as approved by the program director):
- MDIA 6030 - Qualitative Research Methods in Media Studies
African Language Requirement
Complete a minimum of one year of African Language at OHIO or through a summer intensive program, normally for a minimum of 6 hours. Students who are already fluent in an African Language may waive this requirement and substitute additional hours from elective courses.
Electives
Students will take electives in disciplines of choice or their area of intellectual of professional interest. Electives provide the opportunity to pursue a field or specialization or may be used to complete a graduate certificate program. See Dr. Negash for details.
Culminating Experience
A capstone project will be due in the final semester of the program. The capstone can take the format of a comprehensive exam, professional project, or a thesis.
- Comprehensive Exam: The examination permits a final synthesis, asking students to relate course work, research skills and literature. It is a final review of the student’s progress and an opportunity for students to draw together their disciplines. One of the major purposes of the comprehensive exam is, in fact, to cause the student to reflect upon the interdisciplinary dimensions of their program. Three possible overall results may emerge from the exam; Pass, Partial Pass where the student will have to follow-up with an oral exam; and Fail.
- Professional Project: Students who are not planning to continue their education at the doctoral level may opt for a more practical educational experience. The professional project, typically in the form of a final paper intended for submission to an academic journal allows students to fulfill this requirement. A committee of three faculty members must be chosen by the end of spring semester of the student’s first year of study.
- Thesis: Students who wish to pursue this option should see the program director early in their first semester to discuss the possibilities and also consult the Thesis and Dissertation (TAD) guidelines on the Graduate College website.
A maximum of 8 hours in a capstone course may count toward degree requirements.