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.

For further information please email the minor’s advisor, Chris Ippolito (cippolito6@gatech.edu).

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 Spring 2025 Courses

  • Courses in English
    • Required:
      • ARBC/FREN/SWAH/WOLO 3420: Intro to Africa. MW 3:30-4:45 PM. This interdisciplinary course will use a variety of approaches to study significant aspects of contemporary Africa’s societies, cultures, and representations. Taught in English.
    • Other courses in English (Electives): up to two courses (6 credits) on topics related to African, African-American, and other African diaspora:
      • Men-Women In Islam - ARBC 3501
      • African-Amer Politics - PUBP 3214
      • VIP: Africa: Serve, Learn, Sustain
      • Including one course maximum (3 credits) on topics/skills essential to understanding/working in Africa:
        • Global Enterprise – ECON 4311
        • Intl Trade Theory & Politics – ECON 4352
        • Economic Development – ECON 4411
        • Human Rights – INTA 3031
        • Soccer and Global Politics – INTA 3242
        • Int’l Political Econ – INTA 3301
        • Pol Economy Development – INTA 3303
        • Documentary Film – LMC 3258
        • Tech Communication – LMC 3403 (several sections)
        • Video Production  – LMC 3406 (several sections)
        • Tech Comm Approaches – LMC 3431 (several sections)
        • Professional Comm – LMC 4406
        • Climate Policy – PUBP 3320
        • Politics and Policy – PUBP 3510
        • Geographic Info Sys – CP 4510 (Option: Spring Break in Rwanda)
        • Energy Technology and Policy – ISYE 6701 (Option: Spring Break in Rwanda)
        • Energy, Efficiency and Sustainability – ISYE 4501 (Option: Spring Break in Rwanda)
           
  • Courses in foreign languages
    • All elementary and intermediate Arabic and French courses
    • FREN 4103/6103. Francophone Africa. MW 5-6:15 PM. (Option: Spring Break in Rwanda). This interdisciplinary course will explore contemporary Francophone Africa’s societies, cultures, and representations. Taught in French. There is no required book or textbook; all learning materials are available online.
      • Spring 2025 will focus on current issues, development, and international relations in African sub-regions in which French is a major language (North, West, Central Africa, Indian Ocean islands). Topics include climate change, war, recent coups, migrations, as well as economic and cultural boom from Morocco to DRC-Congo, and advances in technology and women’s rights. Counts for the French major and minors in French and African Studies. Optional: Spring Break 2025 study abroad program in Rwanda (embedded in this course).