African Studies
142 Luce Hall, 34 Hillhouse, 432.3436
M.A.
Chair
Christopher Udry (Economics)
Director of Graduate Studies
Ann Biersteker (Linguistics) (432.9902, ann.biersteker@yale.edu)
Professors
Lea Brilmayer (Law School), Hazel Carby (African American
Studies), Robert Evenson (Economics), Owen Fiss (Law School),
William Foltz (Political Science), Dimitri Gutas (Near Eastern
Languages & Civilizations), Robert Harms (History), Andrew
Hill (Anthropology), Christopher L. Miller (French; African
American Studies), Curtis Patton (Epidemiology), Gustav Ranis
(Economics), Lamin Sanneh (History; Divinity School), Ian
Shapiro (Political Science), William Simpson (Arabic; Near
Eastern Languages & Civilizations), John Szwed, Robert
Thompson (History of Art), Christopher Udry (Economics), Robin
Winks (History)
Associate Professors
Ann Biersteker (Linguistics), Ahmad Dallal (Arabic; Near Eastern
Languages & Civilizations), David Watts (Anthropology),
Eric Worby (Anthropology)
Assistant Professors
David Graeber (Anthropology), Lawrence King (Sociology), Michael
Mahoney (History), Michael Veal (Music), Leonard Wantchekon
(Political Science; Economic Growth Center)
Lecturers
Maxwell Amoh (Outreach Coordinator), Anne-Marie Foltz (Epidemiology
& Public Health), Bassam Frangieh (Near Eastern Languages
& Civilizations), Peter Marris (Sociology), Sandra Sanneh
(African Languages), Gerald Thomas (African American Studies;
History), John Wa'Njogu (African Languages)
Fields of Study
African Studies considers the arts, history, cultures, languages, literatures,
politics, religions, and societies of Africa as well as issues concerning development,
health, and the environment. Considerable flexibility and choice of areas of
concentration are offered because students entering the program may have differing
academic backgrounds and career plans. Enrollment in the M.A. program in African
Studies provides students with the opportunity to register for the many African
studies courses offered in the various departments of the Graduate School of
Arts and Sciences and the professional schools. In addition, the Program in
African Studies offers two interdisciplinary seminars to create dialogue and
to integrate approaches across disciplines.
The African collections of the Yale libraries together represent one of the
largest holdings on Africa found in North America. The University now possesses
over 200,000 volumes including, but not limited to, government documents, art
catalogues, photographs, manuscripts, correspondence, and theses, many published
in Africa.
Special Admissions Requirements
The GRE General Test is required.
Special Requirements for the M.A. Degree
The Yale University Master of Arts degree program in African Studies was instituted
in 1986. The two-year interdisciplinary, graduate-level curriculum is intended
for students who will later continue in a Ph.D. program, a professional school,
or for those who will enter business, government service, or another career
in which a sound knowledge of Africa is essential or valuable. A student may
choose one of the following areas of concentration: history; anthropology; political
science; economics; sociology; arts and literatures; languages and linguistics;
religion; environmental and developmental studies.
The program requires sixteen courses: two compulsory introductory interdisciplinary
seminars, Research Methods in African Studies (AFST 501a) and Africa and the
Disciplines (AFST 764a), four courses of instruction in an African language,
four courses in one of the above areas of concentration, five other approved
courses offered in the Graduate School or professional schools, and two terms
of directed reading and research (AFST 900a or b) during which students will
complete the required thesis. A student who is able to demonstrate advanced
proficiency in an African language may have the language requirement waived
and substitute four other approved courses. The choice of courses must be approved
by the director of graduate studies, Ann Biersteker, and students should consult
with her as soon as possible in the first term.
The Master's Thesis
The master's thesis is based upon research on a topic approved by the director
of graduate studies and advised by a faculty member with expertise or specialized
competence in the chosen topic.
Program materials are available upon request to the Director of Graduate Studies,
Council on African Studies, Yale University, PO Box 208206,
New Haven CT 06520-8206; african.studies@yale.edu.
Courses
AFST 501a, Research Methods in African Studies. Ann Biersteker.
This course considers disciplinary and interdisciplinary research methodologies
in African studies. The central focus of the course is on field methods and
archival research in the social sciences and humanities. Topics considered include
use of African studies and disciplinary sources (including bibliographical databases
and African studies archives), research design, interviewing, survey methods,
analysis of sources, and the development of databases and research collections.
[AFST 541a, Comparative Perspectives on African Literatures.]
AFST 598u, Introduction to an African Language. Sandra Sanneh and staff.
First-year instruction in an African language other than those regularly offered,
through a totally oral approach, with emphasis on oral fluency.
AFST 600u, Elementary Kiswahili. John Wa'Njogu.
Beginning course, with emphasis on spoken language and conversational skills.
Basic grammar, vocabulary, and cultural skills learned gradually through practice
in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
AFST 601u, Intermediate Kiswahili. John Wa'Njogu.
Training in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending the language.
AFST 603u, Advanced Kiswahili. John Wa'Njogu.
Reading in literature and modern expository writing, as well as continued practice
of spoken Kiswahili.
AFST 604a or b, Topics in Kiswahili Literature. Ann Biersteker.
Advanced readings and discussion with emphasis on literary and historical texts.
Reading assignments include materials on Kiswahili poetry, Kiswahili dialects,
and the history of Kiswahili.
AFST 610u, Elementary Yoruba. Staff.
Beginning course, with emphasis on spoken language and conversational skills.
Basic grammar, vocabulary, and cultural skills learned gradually through practice
in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
AFST 611u, Intermediate Yoruba. Staff.
Training in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending the language.
AFST 612u, Advanced Yoruba. Staff.
Reading in literature and modern expository writing, as well as continued practice
in spoken Yoruba.
AFST 614u, Elementary Zulu. Sandra Sanneh.
Beginning course, with emphasis on spoken language and conversational skills.
Basic grammar, vocabulary, and cultural skills learned gradually through practice
in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
AFST 615u, Intermediate Zulu. Sandra Sanneh.
Training in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending the language.
AFST 616u, Advanced Zulu. Sandra Sanneh.
An advanced language course intended to improve the student's aural and written
comprehension, as well as speaking and writing skills. Emphasis on acquiring
a command of idiomatic usage and stylistic nuance.
AFST 620, Second Year in an African Language.
By arrangement with faculty.
AFST 621, Third Year in an African Language.
By arrangement with faculty.
AFST 623, Fourth Year in an African Language.
By arrangement with faculty.
AFST 647bu, Structure of Swahili. Ann Biersteker. Tues/Thurs 4-5.15
Study of Swahili grammar. Phonology, morphology, and syntax of Swahili examined
in detail. Topics also include Swahili dialects, history of Swahili, and comparison
with other Bantu languages. Also LING 647bu.
AFST 674au, Africa in the International Arena. William Foltz. Wednesday
1.30-3.20
This research seminar investigates the roles Africa and individual African states
play and have played in world affairs. Emphasis is placed on the post-World
War II era, and particularly the period since 1960, but students may center
their research on earlier times if that would help illuminate recent trends.
Broad topics include relations among African states; regional and subregional
organization; conflict and peace keeping; policies of outside powers toward
Africa; the Cold War and its aftermath. Also PLSC 674au.
[AFST 684b, The Ritualization of Power in Africa.]
[AFST 711a, Culture and Power in West Africa.]
AFST 717bu, The Political Evolution of French-Speaking Africa. William Foltz.
Tuesday 1.30-3.20
The political history of French-speaking Africa from colonization to the present.
French colonial theory and practice; African elites under the Third and Fourth
Republics; decolonization; distinctive properties of francophone states; French
postcolonial influence. A good reading knowledge of French is essential. Also
PLSC 717bu.
AFST 739b, The French Atlantic Triangle and the Literature
of the Slave Trade. Christopher L. Miller. Thursday 10.30-12.20
An analysis of the Atlantic world that was created by the
slave trade, in its French version, as seen through history,
philosophy, and literature from the eighteenth through the
twentieth century. Readings from Voltaire, the journal of
a slave-trading sailor, Rousseau, Madame de Duras, Baron Roger,
Mérimée, Sue, Césaire, Sembene, T. Mandeleau.
In English. Also AFAM 854b, CPLT 723b, FREN 939b.
AFST 764au, Africa and the Disciplines. Christopher L. Miller, William Foltz.
Tuesday 1.30-3.20
The seminar is designed to introduce students to the study of Africa. The main
emphasis is on how each discipline reconceptualizes the field and also on the
ways in which each discipline draws from others in the process. The course combines
basic information with some of the dominant and changing ideas embodied in each
of the major disciplines represented. Also PLSC 784au.
AFST 839b, Environmental History of Africa. Robert Harms. Wednesday 1.30-3.20
An examination of the interaction between people and their environments in Africa,
and the ways in which this interaction has affected or shaped the course of
African history. Also HIST 839b.
[AFST 843b, Ethnicity and Tradition in African History.]
AFST 844a, Memory and Orality in African History. Michael Mahoney. Thursday
1.30-3.20
Introduces students to oral research methodology, as well as to particular debates
about that methodology within African historiography. Discussion also focuses
on memory and popular historical understanding and how this non-guild historiography
interacts with what academics do. Also HIST 844a.
[AFST 849b, African Historiography: The Agrarian History of Africa.]
AFST 900a or b, Master's Thesis. Ann Biersteker and faculty.
Directed reading and research on a topic approved by the director of graduate
studies and advised by a faculty member (by arrangement) with expertise or specialized
competence in the chosen field. Readings and research are done in preparation
for the required master's thesis. (Note: defense of thesis proposal required
at end of program's third term.)
AFST 951a or b, Directed Reading and Research. Ann Biersteker and faculty.
By arrangement with faculty.
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