About African Studies
The African Studies Program is located in Woodburn Hall on the Indiana University,
Bloomington campus. The Program has long been recognized as one of
the leading centers for the interdisciplinary study of Africa. It has
been a U.S. Department of Education National Resource Center every year
since 1965. The prominence of the Program is based on five complementary
components:
Faculty
A distinguished faculty in over a dozen academic departments and
half a dozen professional schools, with extensive publication records and a
commitment to teaching excellence in more than 150 Africa-related courses.
Our faculty have conducted research and taught courses across Africa, and they
have participated in our numerous exchange programs with
universities on the continent.
Students
The recruitment of outstanding students specializing in the study of Africa, a significant number of whom
have received major grants and
support of doctoral research in over two dozen African countries.
More than 350 Ph.D. dissertations on Africa have been completed at
Indiana University, and degree recipients have accepted academic
positions in 32 states and 20 foreign countries, as well as
positions in government and in public and private agencies. Many
undergraduate students have received a Certificate in African
Studies and learned an African language. Current students can learn
Arabic, Bamana, Swahili, Twi, Zulu in regular language courses at three levels, and Wolof is being newly offered at the elementary level.
A number of undergraduates have also participated in our study abroad
programs at universities in several African countries.
Outreach
A wide range of outreach activities to schools, colleges, and
universities, as well as to community groups, not-for-profit
institutions, businesses, and other organizations. The Program
conducts workshops and supplies speakers for various groups, and it
has an extensive list of publications, videos, and teaching
materials that are available for use. Teachers and other people in
the community are welcome to visit our Outreach Resource Room at
the African Studies Program.
Support
The generous support from federal agencies and private
foundations, which sustains teaching, research, public service, and
outreach activities. The Program has received support from the U.S.
Department of Education since 1965. During the same period, the
Program and its faculty have also received grants and fellowships
from, among others, the National Endowment
for the Humanities and Arts, the National Science
Foundation, the United
States Information Agency, the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, Fulbright, the UNESCO, the Lilly Endowment, the Cummins Engine Foundation, as well as from different corporate
donors.
Indiana University
Indiana University's comprehensive support for African Studies
faculty and staff, for library staff and acquisitions, and for
student assistantships and fee remissions. With the additional
assistance of federal and private philanthropic agencies, the
students and faculty in the African Studies Program have
distinguished themselves thorough their teaching, research,
publications, and related professional activities. These efforts
have led to the development of great disciplinary strengths in African languages and linguistics, in African
arts and humanities, and in the social sciences, as well as
significant involvement with Indiana University's professional
schools.
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