Minor in African Studies

The Schools of Modern Languages; Economics; International Affairs; Literature, Media and Communications; and Public Policy offer a minor in African Studies. This interdisciplinary minor connects studies of all African regions and countries (North, West, Central, East, South), their languages, their cultures, and their peoples — both concurrently in their national and international relationships as well as longitudinally — over the course of history. This minor is designed for undergraduates who will enter a wide range of careers that can lead directly or indirectly to interactions with the people, social organizations and businesses, and governments of Africa, both abroad and in the U.S.

The minor’s focus is on Africa today, with one mandatory course in English, ARBC/FREN/SWAH/WOLO 3420: Introduction to Africa, and four electives, with at least two given in French or Arabic at the introductory, intermediate, or advanced level.

For more information, please email the minor’s advisor, Chris Ippolito at cippolito6@gatech.edu.

Upcoming Study Abroad Opportunities

Requirements

View minor requirements for the African Studies minor in the Georgia Tech Course Catalog. Students wishing to declare a minor should submit the minor declaration form to Mirla Gonzalez to allow us to track their progress and gain priority registration.

Featured Fall 2026 Courses

  • Courses in English
    • Required:
      • ARBC/FREN/SWAH/WOLO 3420: Intro to Africa. Not taught in Fall 2026. To be taught Spring 2027. 
        • This interdisciplinary course will use a variety of approaches to study significant aspects of contemporary Africa’s societies, cultures, and representations. Taught in English. 
        • PRE-and/or Co-Requisites: NONE.
    • Other courses in English (Electives) – Up to two courses (6 credits) on topics related to Africa and African diasporas:
      • ARBC 1501 Understand Arab Culture
      • ARBC 3501 Introduction to Islamic faith, history, and experiences of Muslim men and women
      • INTA 3240 Gov’t & Politics-Africa
      • VIP Africa Serve Learn Sustain
      • VIP Assistive Technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
      • Including one course maximum (3 credits) on topics/skills essential to understanding/working in Africa:
        • CP 4510 Intro to GIS
        • ECON 4210 Climate Change Economics
        • ECON 4415 Confl&Secur in DevCountr
        • INTA 3242 Soccer and Global Politics
        • INTA 3303 Pol Economy-Development
        • INTA 4040 Environmental Politics
        • ISYE 8900 Special Problems in ISYE
        • LMC 3403 Tech Communication (several sections)
        • LMC 3404 Social Media
        • LMC 3406 Video Production (several sections)
        • LMC 3454 Production Black Document
        • MGMT 4369 Sustainable Business Practicum
        • PUBP 3042 Data Science for Policy
        • PUBP 3315 Environ Policy & Politics
        • PUBP 3320 Climate Policy
  • Courses in foreign languages: All elementary, intermediate and advanced courses in Arabic and French