As of Tuesday, students interested in studying Africa have a new academic outlet for their passion: the newly established adjunct major in African Studies.
Though the formal undergraduate major in African Studies has just been introduced, African Studies as an academic discipline has a long tradition at Northwestern. Established in 1948, the Program of African Studies was created as a research institution and is one of the oldest centers of its kind in the country.
Previously, NU offered a minor in African Studies and courses in various departments. Study abroad and research opportunities were available to undergraduates interested in Africa. Additionally, some students worked independently to create ad-hoc majors in African Studies.
Last year, the major was created through a collaborative process among faculty, staff and Weinberg administrators, said Kristine Barker, the African Studies program assistant. Barker was involved in the creation of the major last year and is responsible for the program’s administrative side.
“This year, our goal is bringing about awareness and getting students and other faculty involved,” she said.
Jeff Rice, undergraduate advisor for the new major, said it was designed to incorporate all aspects of NU’s existing “specialty” in African Studies.
“With Northwestern’s great history in African Studies, it would be a shame if we didn’t have an official major,” he said. “(The adjunct major in African Studies) is a more aggressive way of inviting students to explore it.”
The adjunct major draws primarily from classes that already existed at NU and combines them in a way that gives students an “interdisciplinary” understanding of African Studies, Barker said. In addition to three core courses and seven elective courses, students must complete a quarter-long “practicum” in African Studies, which can involve Africa-related research, an internship or study abroad in Africa.
Case Martin, a Weinberg senior, began taking Africa-related courses upon entering NU as a freshman and is currently completing an ad-hoc major in African Studies to supplement his history major.
Martin said he expects African Studies will become an increasingly relevant field of study in the coming decade and beyond.
“Africa is going to have a greater role in the world economy and world politics as it develops,” he said.
In addition to the major, the Program of African Studies plans to increase involvement among undergraduates through a student-run seminar. Barker said the seminar will meet three times per quarter and will be open to all undergraduate students.
Martin, one of two students who will lead the seminar, said the specifics of the seminar are still in the works, but it will be based on student participation and involvement, with the goal of getting students talking about Africa, its culture and its issues.
Martin said he believes the new adjunct major and the seminar will garner African Studies, which he describes as an “engaging and close-knit community,” more attention at NU.
“We have one of the best Africana libraries in the world, and one of the best African Studies programs in the country,” Martin said. “The adjunct major will help students realize that all of this is here on campus.”
