Africana Studies

Africana Studies Minor Courses

Program Contact

Matthew Hale, Department Chair, Professor, History

Affiliate Faculty

Ann Duncan, Professor, American Studies and Religion

James Dator, Assistant Professor, History

Irline François, Associate Professor, Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies

Ailish Hopper, Associate Professor, Peace Studies

Flo Martin, Professor, French

Angelo Robinson, Associate Professor, Literature

Janet Shope, Professor, Sociology & Anthropology

Eric Singer, Professor, Political Science

Rory Turner, Professor of Practice, Sociology & Anthropology

Africana studies minor students at Goucher have the opportunity to engage with Africa and its diaspora through the college's extensive study abroad opportunities. Below are just a handful of study abroad programs that Africana studies students can participate in as a Goucher student:

South Africa

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HIV/AIDS, Inequality, and Social Policy in South Africa
Goucher College offers an intensive three-week January program in South Africa that examines inequality and social policy through the lens of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Two-thirds of the persons living with HIV/AIDS are in sub-Saharan Africa, and South Africa has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the world. The HIV/AIDS epidemic mirrors the social fault lines of deprivation, disempowerment, and dependency. South Africa offers an interesting context for exploring how differential access to resources influences risk.

Rural and Township Education in South Africa
This intensive course abroad will introduce students to primary and secondary education in the township and rural schools of Grahamstown, South Africa. Participants will design and implement lesson plans focusing on basic reading and English concepts for South African learners in grades 5 through 8. Participants will design and implement lessons that encourage the development of South African learners' reading, thinking, composing, and content-area skills. A course that focuses on the history of South Africa, culture and customs unique to the Eastern Cape region, and rural education in South Africa will be offered every May.

Ghana

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History, Society, and Culture in West Africa
This three-week course is your opportunity to experience firsthand the enduring and changing West African culture through intensive interdisciplinary study of Ghana's and Benin's customs, social institutions, and arts. This course involves extensive travel throughout West Africa, including lectures on West African religion, history, and art. You'll go on field excursions to meet artists, see theatrical and dance performances, visit cultural museums, and take intensive classes in West African drumming, dance, and more.

Social Transformation and Cultural Expression, Accra
This semester or yearlong program examines Ghana's social, economic, and political features. Topics considered range from education and religious traditions unique to Africa to the impact of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade to the role of Queenmothers in Krobo. Thematic seminars in northern Ghana examine topics such as the contrast between Western and traditionally trained midwives to the role of local markets in the global economy.

African Diasporas in Global Perspective
This semester program examines the global dispersions of peoples and cultures of African ancestry, including their growing impact on world economies, politics of ethnicity and belonging, aesthetic and material cultures, and ideologies. The program offers a unique opportunity to learn about numerous distinct cultures as well as an in-depth history of Ghanaian leadership roles in Africa and the world at large. Students will live in the vibrant community of Cape Coast for their stay.

Rwanda

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Post-Genocide Restoration and Peace Building
In 1994, Rwanda was the site of one of the most atrocious genocides in contemporary human history. In the span of 100 days, about one million people were killed, resulting in a broken and devastated country. Since 1994, Rwanda's peacebuilding process has been successful in restoring trust in state institutions, engaging Rwandans in the reconstruction of sustainable reconciliation, and overcoming ethnic divisions. During this semester program, students will be based in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, a medium-sized modern city that reflects signs of both successful recovery from the genocide and enduring poverty. Students will study post-genocide restoration and peacebuilding, the Kinyarwanda language, and conduct an independent study project.

Uganda

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Development Studies in Kampala
Based in Kampala, Uganda's capital city, this semester program offers an in-depth, hands-on practicum with one of the country's many international or grassroots development agencies to provide a deeper understanding of the practice of development work. Students investigate the impact and accompanying issues of Ugandan progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, human rights, grassroots development, microfinance, and community conservation. Through field visits to rural areas of Uganda and a comparative excursion to Rwanda, students explore what lies beyond the rhetoric of the "development industry" as they learn about the diverse strengths and needs of this changing nation and region.

Internships

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Internships help students explore possibilities, apply classroom learning, and gain experience. Explore internships and credit options.

Student Employment

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Student employment connects students to both on and off-campus opportunities. The Career Education Office provides resources and support to students with or without Federal Work Study to find jobs, submit applications, and learn more about the job search process. Students have access to Handshake — a website for job postings, events, resumes/cover letters, and career management.

Major & Career Exploration

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Exploring career options, choosing a major, and making career decisions is a multi-step process in which all students are encouraged to engage early and often. Goucher students have a variety of resources available through the Majors and Career page to assist them in this process.

Job Search

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A Goucher education prepares students for today’s job market and beyond. Students can explore job opportunities and access job search resources through the CEO Job Search page.

Graduate & Professional School

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Students access resources for searching and applying to graduate and professional school through the CEO Graduate and Professional School page, through faculty and staff members, or utilizing their own resources, network and tools.

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School 4+1 BA/MS Program

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Goucher College and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School are offering Goucher students a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. This 4+1 program combines a bachelor’s degree from Goucher with a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins in business analytics and risk management, information systems, health care management, finance, or marketing. Students can apply during their junior year. GRE or GMAT tests have been waived but applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better and have passed some quantitative reasoning courses with a grade of B or better.