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African Studies

African Studies Minor (HBA)

Program Overview

Students in the African Studies Minor will explore African history, culture, economies, political systems and artistic expression. A study of Africa provides students with a complex and rich understanding of the most important political issues now being directly faced: environmental degradation, sharing of resources, neocolonialism, challenges faced by the nation-state, pandemics, and gender inequality. Students in this program will explore the interconnections with Europe, Asia and America; Africa’s central role in world history and processes of globalization; African, Caribbean and African-American cultural and artistic responses to modernity; racism, and liberation.


Complementary Programs: Major or Minor Programs in International Development StudiesPolitical ScienceHistoryEnglishWomen’s and Gender StudiesCritical Migration Studies and Sociology

Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:

Competencies & Skills
  • Understand connections between Africa’s past and present
  • Critically engage with African cultures and values
  • Examine selected issues in African ethnography
  • Gather
  • review
  • evaluate and interpret information
  • Present information and ideas clearly
  • Develop interdisciplinary analytical skills
Careers for Graduates
  • Activist
  • Ambassador
  • Charity Director
  • Community Worker
  • Foreign Correspondent
  • Foreign Services Officer
  • Government Administrator
  • Historical Researcher
  • Institutional Researcher
  • Journalist
  • Lobbyist
  • Policy Advisor
  • Political Advisor
Further Education
  • Literature
  • History
  • Education
  • International Development
  • Political Science
  • Law School
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Journalism
  • Public Relations

Program Pathway

Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career

Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
  • 1.0 credit from A-level, B-level, C-level and D-level courses (taken in Year 1-4 depending on level) in AFSHISIDS and GAS courses (check UTSC Calendar for details).
  • Use Degree Explorer and meet with your Program Advisor or Supervisor to ensure you are on track with your degree.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
  • Get involved in relevant opportunities on and/or off campus, e.g., apply to Work Study, or other part-time and summer jobs on CLNx (Jobs & Recruitment).

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
  • Check CLNx (Jobs & Recruitment) to search for Work Study or volunteer positions on campus to gain experience and to get involved.

Plan for Your Future Career
  • Considering grad school? Speak to professors and advisors early so you are on track.
  • Explore careers through the AA&CC’s Job Shadowing and In The Field programs.


Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
  • 2.0 credits from A-level, B-level, C-level and D-level courses (taken in Year 1-4 depending on level) in AFSIDSHISENGFREGGRPOL and WGS (check UTSC Calendar for details).
  • Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track with your degree.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Consider competing for the UTSC Library Undergraduate Research Prize or Poster Forum


Apply Theory to Practice
  • Build on your skills and knowledge through relevant events offered through your department, student groupsDSL and the AA&CC.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career

Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
  • Apply for an Academic Travel Fund through DSL to research, present at a conference, or engage with the international academic community.

Apply Theory to Practice
  • Attend the Summer & Full-Time Job Fair in January to meet with potential employers looking to hire students for relevant summer and full-time positions.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
  • Participate in the AA&CC’s Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning to work or further education.

Plan for Your Future Career
  • Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired job search conference in April/May.
  • Attend the Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search “crash course”; find job  opportunities on CLNx.
  • Get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.
  • Speak to your Program Advisor about applying to grad studies and get your personal statement reviewed in the AA&CC.

Glossary

  • AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
  • CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
  • CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
  • CTL - Centre for Teaching and Learning (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl)
  • DSL - Department of Student Life (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife)
  • ISC - International Student Centre (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/utscinternational)
  • SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)


Contacts

  • Departmental Contact
    Arifa Akhter Nitol
    arifa.nitol@utoronto.ca
    HL 226
    416-208-4847
    https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/dgds/
  • African Studies Librarian
    Whitney Kemble
    whitney.kemble@utoronto.ca
    ARC main floor
    416-287-7499
    https://utsc.library.utoronto.ca/librarians
  • Academic Advising & Career Centre
    AC213
    416-287-7561
    https://utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/
  • Department of Student Life
    studentlife.utsc@utoronto.ca
    SL157
    416-208-5129
    https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife/
  • International Development Studies Students' Association [IDSSA]
    idssa.utsc@gmail.com
    https://www.facebook.com/IDSSA.UTSC/
  •  

Did You Know?


The minor includes courses in Anthropology, Political Science, English, Art, Classics, History and Women’s Studies.