The mission of the Department of African Cultural Studies is to research and teach the languages and expressive cultures of Africa and Africans around the world. Our faculty specialize in literature, music, film, critical applied linguistics, drama, diaspora studies, and new media. Our undergraduate program emphasizes the development and application of analytical, linguistic, and methodological tools that enable students to work effectively and imaginatively across regions, languages, cultural forms, methodologies, and disciplines. A student majoring in African Cultural Studies is prepared for careers across the globe!
Undergraduates study one of six languages offered by the department — Arabic, Hausa, Swahili, Wolof, Yoruba, and Zulu — and combine their language study with popular courses in the humanities, literature, and ethnic studies. The department offers a wide range of course topics, including African literature and theater, contemporary cinema and music, Afro-Futurism, gender and sexuality, and internet and media studies.
Majors are encouraged to study abroad in Africa during their undergraduate careers. Study abroad programs sponsored by UW–Madison include semesters or full years in Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, and other African nations. Other programs are available through different institutions. See International Academic Programs and visit the Majors Advising Page.
For more information, students should feel free to contact the Department of African Cultural Studies.
People
Please visit the African Cultural Studies website for a complete list of faculty, instructional, and academic staff.