Five College African Studies : Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why an African Studies Certificate?

On each of the campuses of the five college consortium, all students are required to develop a major in one particular field and then to complement that with courses drawn from other subjects. Often the choice of those other courses is dictated by college requirements or by what is available at particular times. The African Studies Certificate Program is not another major, but it represents an important way for students to bring intellectual coherence to selecting courses outside their own majors. Further, by focusing intensely on the continent of Africa, students develop a keen appreciation of the rich connections between history, politics, economics, cultures, and the humanities.

Those students in the past who have earned the certificate point with pride and satisfaction to having selected a group of courses whose focus is Africa, and they have found the possession of the certificate to be a distinct advantage for getting into graduate school or for employment.

What does it take to get a certificate?

You will need to complete at least 18 credits in various courses which focus on Africa, and you need to demonstrate that you have a working knowledge of a language of Africa either indigenous or official (other than English, of course).

The African Studies Certificate is a Five College Program. What does that mean to me?

No campus of the Five Colleges has sufficient teaching resources on Africa to enable you to complete the certificate program, but taken together, the five campuses provide one of the richest resources of African Studies expertise and courses anywhere in America. You will likely need to take courses on at least one campus other than your own in order to complete the certificate program.

Since the mid-1980s, faculty in the Five Colleges with Africa interests have been part of the Five College African Studies Council which coordinates offerings of Africa-related courses, supports the certificate program, and plans seminars, study-in-Africa opportunities, and visits to the area by African scholars and artists. One of the more significant achievements of the Council has been the development and management of the certificate program as a way to strengthen the intellectual accomplishments of students.

When you graduate, having completed your baccalaureate degree your official transcript will say, "Completed the requirements for the Five College African Studies Certificate."

Where to enroll in the certificate program: Each campus has African Studies Certificate Program faculty advisors who will help you set up your own personalized certificate program. There is no formal admissions process to the certificate program; all you need to do is to declare with a faculty African Studies advisor on your campus your intent to complete the certificate program. Characteristically, students take one or two courses on Africa and then decide to complete the program with course selection advice from an African Studies

Certificate Program faculty advisor

With your African Studies advisor, you select courses to meet the certificate program requirements; when you complete those courses, the advisor recommends to the Five College African Studies Council that you receive the certificate, and your registrar notes on your transcript that you have completed the Five College African Studies Certificate Program. For the names of advisors, see the Faculty page.

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	Frequently Asked Questions Why an African Studies Certificate? On each of the campuses of the five college consortium, all students are required to develop a major in one particular field and then to complement that with courses drawn from other subjects. Often the choice of those other courses is dictated by college requirements or by what is available at particular times. The African Studies Certificate Program is not another major, but it represents an important way for students to bring intellectual coherence to selecting courses outside their own majors. Further, by focusing intensely on the continent of Africa, students develop a keen appreciation of the rich connections between history, politics, economics, cultures, and the humanities. Those students in the past who have earned the certificate point with pride and satisfaction to having selected a group of courses whose focus is Africa, and they have found the possession of the certificate to be a distinct advantage for getting into graduate school or for employment. What does it take to get a certificate? You will need to complete at least 18 credits in various courses which focus on Africa, and you need to demonstrate that you have a working knowledge of a language of Africa either indigenous or official (other than English, of course). The African Studies Certificate is a Five College Program. What does that mean to me? No campus of the Five Colleges has sufficient teaching resources on Africa to enable you to complete the certificate program, but taken together, the five campuses provide one of the richest resources of African Studies expertise and courses anywhere in America. You will likely need to take courses on at least one campus other than your own in order to complete the certificate program. Since the mid-1980s, faculty in the Five Colleges with Africa interests have been part of the Five College African Studies Council which coordinates offerings of Africa-related courses, supports the certificate program, and plans seminars, study-in-Africa opportunities, and visits to the area by African scholars and artists. One of the more significant achievements of the Council has been the development and management of the certificate program as a way to strengthen the intellectual accomplishments of students. When you graduate, having completed your baccalaureate degree your official transcript will say, "Completed the requirements for the Five College African Studies Certificate." Where to enroll in the certificate program: Each campus has African Studies Certificate Program faculty advisors who will help you set up your own personalized certificate program. There is no formal admissions process to the certificate program; all you need to do is to declare with a faculty African Studies advisor on your campus your intent to complete the certificate program. Characteristically, students take one or two courses on Africa and then decide to complete the program with course selection advice from an African Studies Certificate Program faculty advisor With your African Studies advisor, you select courses to meet the certificate program requirements; when you complete those courses, the advisor recommends to the Five College African Studies Council that you receive the certificate, and your registrar notes on your transcript that you have completed the Five College African Studies Certificate Program. For the names of advisors, see the Faculty page.