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African Studies

African Studies

Established in 1969, the African Studies Program at Թ was the first of its kind in Canada. The Program offers courses across the disciplines leading to a Minor and Major Concentration and a Joint Honors Program, allowing students many exciting opportunities to explore a wide range of political, historical, social, economic, and environmental issues pertaining to Africa. The underlying conception of the African Studies Program emanates from the basic premise that African Studies is a foundational field of study and a global intellectual enterprise, rather than one constrained by territorial boundaries.

For students pursuing a Major or Minor concentration in African Studies, the plan of study begins with an introductory course that explores African issues from an interdisciplinary and global perspective and ends with an advanced research seminar. In addition to facilitating opportunities for students to travel and study in Africa, the Program also offers a course in Swahili, which greatly enhances knowledge of African culture and society and can, along with other courses offered, pave the path towards exciting future career and travel opportunities in Africa. The African Studies Program also sponsors a variety of other types of scholarly and cultural activities throughout the academic year related to Africa and the African diaspora, many of which are initiated by its undergraduate student organization, the African Studies Students Association (ASSA), as well as the Թ African Students Society (MASS).

Please visit for more information.

To register for an African Studies program, you must have been offered admission into the Bachelor of Arts program at Թ. Please refer to this link for further information: /undergraduate-admissions/

Major Concentration African Studies (36 Credits)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Major Concentration African Studies (36 Credits)

Program Requirement

The Major Concentration African Studies provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the African continent.

Students wishing to major in African Studies should consult the Program Advisor at the beginning of their first academic year. In the African Studies Major concentration, students will be encouraged to identify an area within a discipline of the Faculty, taking as many relevant courses as possible in that field.

During Winter 2020, the S/U option applied to all courses. For Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 terms, you could have used the S/U option for a total of 6 credits over the two terms that were taken to satisfy a program requirement.

Important note: If you have taken or intend to take a course that has at least 30% African material and your project/final paper is related to African studies, please contact us to have it assessed.

Required Courses (6 Credits)

AFRI 200. Introduction to African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The African experience and current approaches to African studies, through adopting multidisciplinary perspectives on topics that include political conflict, governance and democratization, environment and conservation, economic development, rural life and urbanism, health and illness, gender, social change, popular culture, literature, film, and the arts.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


AFRI 598. Research Seminar in African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

An interdisciplinary research seminar on topics of common interest to staff and students of the African Studies Program. As part of their contribution, students will prepare a research paper under the supervision of one or more members of staff.
  • Prerequisite: an introductory course in any of the disciplines studying Africa
  • Restriction: Open to final year Program students, and to others by permission of Program Adviser

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Group A (9 credits from)

ANTH 322. Social Change in Modern Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The impact of colonialism on African societies; changing families, religion, arts; political and economic transformation; migration, urbanization, new social categories; social stratification; the social setting of independence and neo-colonialism; continuity, stagnation, and progressive change.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: ANTH 202, or ANTH 204, or ANTH 205, or ANTH 206, or ANTH 209, or ANTH 212, or ANTH 227 or permission of instructor

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


HIST 200. Introduction to African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

This course stresses the interactions of the peoples of Africa with each other and with the worlds of Europe and Islam from the Iron Age to the European Conquest in 1880.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


HIST 201. Modern African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

While covering the general political history of Africa in the twentieth century, this course also explores such themes as health and disease, gender, and urbanization.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


POLI 324. Comparative Politics of Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The government and politics of African states south of the Sahara with reference to the ideological and institutional setting as influenced by the forces of tradition and the impact of Western colonialism.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in Comparative Politics or a course on the region or written permission of the instructor
  • Note: The field is Comparative Politics.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


POLI 352. International Policy/Foreign Policy: Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

A study of international politics in Africa; including Africa in the U.N., the Organization of African Unity, African regional groupings and integration, Africa as a foreign policy arena and African inter-state conflict and diplomacy.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in International or African politics or written consent of the instructor
  • Note: The field is International Politics.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Group B (21 credits from)

21 credits from the Group B course lists below drawn from at least 3 disciplines with no more than 9 credits from any one discipline

African Studies

AFRI 401. Swahili Language and Culture.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Basic knowledge of the Swahili language and culture with emphasis on handling circumstances that might be encountered in field research: everyday conversation, developing aural and oral skills and mastering basic grammar rules, understanding cultural norms and practices, issues of culture sensitivity and appropriateness.
  • Note: Priority to students in the African Studies Program and/or participants of the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program and to students with a demonstrable need related to internship or research. Approval by African Studies Program Adviser required.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


AFRI 480. Honours Thesis.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Supervised reading, research and preparation of an undergraduate thesis under the direction of a staff member.
  • Prerequisite: the completion of all available courses relevant to the topic, and permission of the instructor and Program Adviser prior to registration
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Joint Honours students.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


AFRI 481. Special Topics 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Supervised reading in advanced special topics in African Studies under the direction of a member of staff.
  • Prerequisite: the completion of all available courses relevant to the topic, and permission of the instructor and Program Adviser prior to registration

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


AFRI 499. Arts Internships: African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Internship with an approved host institution or organization.
  • Note: U2 and U3 students in good standing, normally after completing 30 credits of a 90-credit program or 45 credits of a 96-120 credit program, a minimum CGPA of 2.7, and permission from the departmental Internship Adviser. This course will normally not fulfill program requirements for seminar or 400-level courses.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


Anthropology

ANTH 212. Anthropology of Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Processes of developmental change, as they affect small communities in the Third World and in unindustrialized parts of developed countries. Problems of technological change, political integration, population growth, industrialization, urban growth, social services, infrastructure and economic dependency.
  • Winter

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

ANTH 315. Society/Culture: East Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Overview of the history, languages and cultures of the region. Examination of the social institutions, cultural patterns, subsistence practices and environmental settings of major social groups, including hunter-foragers, fishers, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and cultivators. Discussion of current theoretical and ethnological issues in the study of culture and social change.
  • Winter
  • Restriction: Open only to students in the Study in Africa program, a full-term field study program in East Africa

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


ANTH 322. Social Change in Modern Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

The impact of colonialism on African societies; changing families, religion, arts; political and economic transformation; migration, urbanization, new social categories; social stratification; the social setting of independence and neo-colonialism; continuity, stagnation, and progressive change.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: ANTH 202, or ANTH 204, or ANTH 205, or ANTH 206, or ANTH 209, or ANTH 212, or ANTH 227 or permission of instructor

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

ANTH 411. Primate Studies and Conservation.

ANTH 411
Primate Studies and Conservation.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Critical evaluation of theories in primate behaviour, ecology, and conservation that emphasizes direct observations, research design, and developing field methods.
  • Winter
  • Prerequisite: One course in Anthropology, Geography or Environmental Studies, Introductory Biology, or permission of the instructor.
  • Restriction: Students must have completed at least two full semesters at their home university. Only open to students in the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program.

ANTH 416. Environment/Development: Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Study of environmental effects of development in East Africa, especially due to changes in traditional land tenure and resource use across diverse ecosystems. Models, policies and cases of pastoralist, agricultural, fishing, wildlife and tourist development will be examined, across savanna, desert, forest, highland and coastal environments.
  • Winter
  • Restriction: Open only to students in the Study in Africa program, a full-term field study program in East Africa
  • Prerequisite: One prior course in Anthropology, Geography or Environmental Studies

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Architecture

ARCH 355. Architectural History 4.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Architecture (Faculty of Engineering)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The study of cities and world architecture from 1900 to the present.
  • (2-1-6)
  • Prerequisites: ARCH 250 and ARCH 251

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Biology

BIOL 428. Biological Diversity in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Biological diversity as exemplified by a particular taxonomic group chosen by the instructor, using field setting in East Africa to impart training in species identification, field research, and principles embodied in the phylogeny, systematics, biogeography, ecology, physiology and/or behaviour of the organisms concerned.
  • Winter
  • Student must be enrolled in the Africa Field Study Seminar
  • Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
  • Corequisite(s): NRSC/BIOL 451 and ANTH/GEOG 451

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


BIOL 429. East African Ecology.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Field settings (Uganda, Kenya, and/or Tanzania) are used to impart training in ecological principles critical to tropical conservation with an emphasis on research design and field research exercises.
  • Winter
  • The course is to be taught in Africa as a component of the Africa Field Study Semester. Students must register for the Africa Field Study Semester.
  • Prerequisite: BIOL 215 or equivalent.
  • Corequisite: NRSC/BIOL 451 and ANTH/GEOG 451
  • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken BIOL 329.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


BIOL 451. Research in Ecology and Development in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Development of observation and independent inquiry skills through: 1) participation in short-term project modules in collaboration with existing researchers; 2) participation in interdisciplinary team research on topics selected to allow comparative analysis of field sites; 3) active and systematic observation, documentation, and integration of field experience in ecology and development issues.
  • Winter
  • Open only to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
  • Corequisite(s): ANTH 451 or GEOG 451
  • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 451.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Canadian Studies

CANS 415. Black Canada.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Institute for Study of Canada (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The significant presence of people of African descent in Canada that dates back to the 17th century. Migration and immigration will be situated as part of the renewal of Canadian identity while examining the intellectual, historical and political presence of people of African descent.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CANS 401 when topic was "Caribbean Canadians" or "Black Diaspora".

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Economics

ECON 208. Microeconomic Analysis and Applications.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027
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Description

A university-level introduction to demand and supply, consumer behaviour, production theory, market structures and income distribution theory.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MGCR 293, ECON 230 or ECON 250

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


ECON 313. Economic Development 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027
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Description

Microeconomic theories of economic development and empirical evidence on population, labour, firms, poverty. Inequality and environment.
  • Prerequisite: ECON 208 and either ECON 209 or one development course.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


ECON 416. Topics in Economic Development 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

This course gives students a broad overview of the economics of developing countries. The course covers micro and macro topics, with particular emphasis on the economic analysis at the micro level.
  • Prerequisite(s): ECON 230 or ECON 250 and ECON 227D1/D2 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Education

-in winter 2024: African Social Movements

EDEC 575. Special Topics in Education.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed (Faculty of Education)
Terms offered: Summer 2026
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Description

In-depth study of current topic(s) in the field of education.
  • Restrictions: Open only to higher-level Undergraduate students and Master's students.
  • **Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fifth lecture day.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

English

* Note: Course is counted only when African materials are taught.

*
*

ENGL 421. African Literature.

Credits: 3
Offered by: English (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

A study of African literature.
  • For the most detailed and up-to-date descriptions of course and seminar offerings please see the Department of English website at .
  • Winter

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

French

FREN 380. Littératures francophones 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: French Language & Literature (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Étude d’une ou de plusieurs littératures francophones autres que les littératures québécoise et française.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

FREN 381. Littératures francophones 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: French Language & Literature (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Étude d’œuvres, d’auteurs ou de courants d’une ou de plusieurs littératures francophones autres que les littératures québécoise et française.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Gender, Sexuality, Feminist, and Social Justice Studies

*

* Note: Course is counted only when African materials are taught.

Geography

GEOG 216. Geography of the World Economy.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The course introduces the geography of the world economic system. It describes the spatial distribution of economic activities and examines the factors which influence their changing location. Case studies from both "developed" and "developing" countries will test the different geographical theories presented in lectures.
  • Fall
  • 3 hours

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


GEOG 403. Global Health and Environmental Change.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Major themes and contemporary case studies in global health and environmental change. Focus on understanding global trends in emerging infectious disease from social, biophysical, and geographical perspectives, and critically assessing the health implications of environmental change in different international contexts.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 205 or GEOG 221 or GEOG 321 or GEOG 303 or permission from the instructor
  • Restriction: Course not open to students who were registered for GEOG 303 in Winter 2008.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


GEOG 404. Environmental Management 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Practical application of environmental planning, analysis and management techniques with reference to the needs and problems of developing areas. Special challenges posed by cultural differences and traditional resource systems are discussed. This course involves practical field work in a developing area (Kenya or Panama).
  • Winter
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 302 or permission of instructor

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


GEOG 408. Geography of Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Examines the geographical dimensions of development policy, specifically the relationships between the process of development and human-induced environmental change. Focuses on environmental sustainability, struggles over resource control, population and poverty, and levels of governance (the role of the state, non-governmental organizations, and local communities).
  • Fall
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 210 or GEOG 216 or permission of instructor

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


GEOG 410. Geography of Underdevelopment: Current Problems.

GEOG 410
Geography of Underdevelopment: Current Problems.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An examination of the cultural, political, and economic mechanisms and manifestations of contemporary underdevelopment and the response to it from different regional and national peripheral societies within the dominant world economic system.
  • Winter
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 216 or permission of instructor

GEOG 416. Africa South of the Sahara.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

A synthetic overview of physical and cultural geography examining particularly the relation of African peoples to their landscapes, the causes and consequences of environmental changes, and the idea of sustainable development as it applies to African landscapes, resource systems and economies.
  • Winter
  • Offered in Kenya as part of the African Field Studies semester.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

GEOG 423. Dilemmas of Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Africa seems beset by development problems. Some of these appear to have no clear answer. Such dilemmas present significant barriers to moving forward with durable, effective development in Africa. This course will examine two primary and frequently interlocked dilemmas in East Africa with wide ranging impact - food security, and conflict.
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 310 or GEOG 408 or GEOG 410, or equivalent
  • Restriction: Open to students in the African Field Study Semester (AFSS) only

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

GEOG 451. Research in Society and Development in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Three intersecting components: 1) core development themes including culture change, environmental conservation, water, health, development (urban and rural), governance and conflict resolution, 2) research techniques for topics related to core themes, including ethics, risk, field methods and data analysis, 3) field documentation, scientific recording and communication.
  • Winter
  • Prerequisite: Open to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
  • Corequisite: NRSC 452.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken, or are taking ANTH 451.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

History

HIST 200. Introduction to African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

This course stresses the interactions of the peoples of Africa with each other and with the worlds of Europe and Islam from the Iron Age to the European Conquest in 1880.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

HIST 201. Modern African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

While covering the general political history of Africa in the twentieth century, this course also explores such themes as health and disease, gender, and urbanization.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

HIST 206. Indian Ocean World History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An introduction to the “global” system connecting eastern Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and the Far East, from the earliest times to c. 1900.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

HIST 210. Introduction to Latin American History .

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Historical development of Latin America’s peoples through the pre-Columbian, colonial and national periods, c. 1300-2000. Introduces key historiographical debates of the subfield and emphasizes the interpretation of primary source texts (in translation).

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

HIST 298AB. Introduction to Caribbean History

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An introduction to a topic or theme in History.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


HIST 381. Colonial Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An overview of the history of foreign intervention and anticolonial resistance in 19th and 20th century Africa. Topics include: theories of colonialism, the scramble for Africa, colonialism and disease, indirect rule, labour, nationalism and resistance, and changing gender roles.
  • Prerequisite(s): HIST 200, HIST 201, HIST 206 or AFRI 200 recommended.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


HIST 382. History of South Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

History of South Africa from precolonial times to the present. Topics include: precolonial societies; British and Dutch colonialism; slavery in colonial South Africa; the Zulu kingdom; mining capitalism; the Boer War; Afrikaner nationalism; apartheid; the anti-apartheid struggle; music, religion, and art; challenges of the post-apartheid state.
  • Prerequisite(s): HIST 200, HIST 201, HIST 206 or AFRI 200 recommended.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

HIST 389AA. Topics: African Country Survey

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

In depth survey of a single African country (other than South Africa), including the pre-colonial history of the region, colonialism, and post-colonial economic, cultural and political history.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

HIST 411. Topics in African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

In depth examination of a specific topic or individual in African or African diasporic history.
  • Prerequisite: A previous course in African history or permission of instructor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


HIST 528. Indian Ocean World Slave Trade.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The origins, structure and impact of the Indian Ocean World slave trade from early times to the present day. Enslavement, the trading structure, slave functions, reactions to slavery, emancipation and 'slave' diaspora. Comparisons will be made to the Atlantic slave system.
  • Prerequisites: HIST 200 or HIST 213 or permission of instructor.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken HIST 467.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

2025-2026 only:

HIST 560D1. World History: Seminar.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Readings on and discussion of a theme in world history.
  • Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
  • Restrictions: Restricted to Graduate Students and Honours students or advanced students with permission of instructor. Not open to students who have taken HIST 561.
  • Students must register for both HIST 560D1 and HIST 560D2
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both HIST 560D1 and HIST 560D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • 560D1 and HIST 560D2 together are equivalent to HIST 560

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

HIST 560D2. World History: Seminar.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Readings on and discussion of a theme in world history.
  • Prerequisite: HIST 560D1
  • Restrictions: Restricted to Graduate Students and Honours students or advanced students with permission of instructor. Not open to students who have taken HIST 561.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both HIST 560D1 and HIST 560D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • 560D1 and HIST 560D2 together are equivalent to HIST 560

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Islamic Studies

ISLA 360. Islam and Politics.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Assessment of the relationship between Islam and politics in the contemporary Middle East and Africa through various analytic themes, including political economy, social movement and gendered analysis.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 210 or AFRI 200.

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ISLA 375. Sufi Women

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The lives and contributions of famous female Muslim mystics. Historical and literary analysis of gender discourse in male-authored representations of these mystical Sufi women, as well as developments in theologies of the cosmic feminine in Sufi philosophical texts.
  • Prerequisites: ISLA 200
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 305 when the topic was: "Sufi Women".

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ISLA 410. History: Middle-East 1798-1918.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

A study of the Middle East from Napoleon's invasion of Egypt to the end of WWI. Emphasis will be on the emergence of nationalisms in the context of European imperialism; political, social, and economic transformation; religion and ideology; and changing patterns of alliances.
  • 3 hours

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ISLA 530. Advanced Sufism

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Advanced explorations of various specialized texts and topics in Sufi history and thought. Focus on specific Sufi thinkers, Sufi texts and literary works in the original and translation, Sufism and gender, aspects of Sufi practice.
  • Prerequisites: ISLA 330 or ISLA 375.
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 581 when topic was: "Advanced Sufism".

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ISLA 221D1. Introductory Arabic.

Credits: 4.5
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic, including pronunciation and reading and writing of the Arabic script; and speaking and comprehension of basic sentences, commands, statements in the present tense.
  • Prerequisites: Permission of the Institute required.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA521D1/D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 221D1 and ISLA 221D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Students must register for both ISLA221D1 and ISLA 221D2.

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ISLA 221D2. Introductory Arabic.

Credits: 4.5
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

See for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 221D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 221D1 and ISLA 221D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Students must register for both ISLA221D1 and ISLA 221D2.

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Natural Resources Sciences

WILD 375. Issues: Environmental Sciences.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Principles and trends in global ecology as they pertain to agricultural and natural ecosystems and the impact of environmental change on food production.
  • Winter
  • 3 lectures

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Philosophy

PHIL 327. Philosophy of Race.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

An introduction to issues in the philosophy of race, for example: the metaphysical status of race; the biology of racial categories; the social construction of race; the relationship between race and racism; the phenomenology of racialized subjectivity; or, intersections of race, gender, and other identity categories.

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Political Science

POLI 227. Introduction to Comparative Politics - Global South.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

An introduction to politics across the Global South. A comparative examination of the legacies of colonialism, the achievement of independence, and political and socio-economic development in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Topics include modernization, dependency, state-building, political violence, revolution, the role of the military, authoritarianism, and democratization.
  • Note: The field is Comparative Politics.

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POLI 324. Comparative Politics of Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The government and politics of African states south of the Sahara with reference to the ideological and institutional setting as influenced by the forces of tradition and the impact of Western colonialism.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in Comparative Politics or a course on the region or written permission of the instructor
  • Note: The field is Comparative Politics.

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POLI 522. Seminar: Comparative Politics 1 .

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Seminar on comparative politics.
  • Prerequisite: At least one upper-level course in comparative politics.
  • Restriction: Open to graduate students, final year honours students, and other advanced undergraduates with permission of the instructor.
  • Note: The field is comparative politics

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Religious Studies

In 2025-2026 only:

RELG 318. Special Topics in Religion 3.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Topics of current interest in, or between, world religions.
  • Fall and Summer
  • Prerequisites: RELG 204 or RELG 252 or RELG 253.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken RELG 496.

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RELG 319. Special Topics in Religion 4.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Topics of current interest in, or between, world religions.
  • Summer
  • Prerequisites: RELG 204 or RELG 252 or RELG 253
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken RELG 496

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Sociology

SOCI 254. Development and Underdevelopment.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Competing theories about the causes of underdevelopment in the poor countries. Topics include the impact of geography, the population explosion, culture and national character, economic and sexual inequalities, democracy and dictatorship. Western imperialism and multi-national corporations, reliance on the market, and development through local participation, cooperation, and appropriate technology.
  • Summer

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SOCI 365. Health and Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Main concepts and controversies linking health to broader social and economic conditions in low income countries. Topics include the demographic and epidemiological transitions, the health and wealth conundrum, the social determinants of health, health as an economic development strategy, and the impact of the AIDS pandemic.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 234 or SOCI 254

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SOCI 370. Sociology: Gender and Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Exploration of the main development theories and discussion of how gender is placed within them, analysis of the practical application of development projects and discussion of how they affect gender dynamics, and examination of power relations between development agencies and developing countries. Examples from Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America are used.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 210

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SOCI 446. Colonialism and Society.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Forms that colonialism took, its impact on colonial societies, and its modern legacies, focusing on overseas colonialism between 1600 and the 1970s.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 210 or permission from instructor.

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SOCI 484. Emerging Democratic States.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Focus on the sociological aspects of recent transitions to democracy within developing countries - particularly within Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Exploration of why democratization has taken place, to what extent it has been successful and the implications of democratization.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 210

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SOCI 513. Social Aspects HIV/AIDS in Africa.

SOCI 513
Social Aspects HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Examination of the social causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Gender inequality, sexual behaviours, marriage systems, migration, and poverty are shaping the pandemic as well as how the pandemic is altering social, demographic and economic conditions across Africa.
  • Prerequisites: SOCI 225 or SOCI 309 or Permission of Instructor.

SOCI 550. Developing Societies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Comparison of alternative explanations of underdevelopment: the impact of social stratification, relations of domination and subordination between countries, state interference with the market. Alternative strategies of change: revolution, structural adjustment, community development and cooperatives. Students will write and present a research paper, and participate extensively in class discussion.

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For more information, see Programs, Courses and University Regulations.

Minor Concentration African Studies (18 Credits)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration African Studies (18 Credits)

Program Requirement

The Minor Concentration African Studies is available for those students majoring in a discipline of the Faculty of Arts who wish to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge of Africa.

This program may be expanded to the Major Concentration African Studies.

During Winter 2020, the S/U option applied to all courses. For Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 terms, you could have used the S/U option for a total of 6 credits over the two terms that were taken to satisfy a program requirement.

Important note: If you have taken or intend to take a course that has at least 30% African material and your project/final paper is related to African studies, please contact us to have it assessed.

Required Courses (6 Credits)

AFRI 200. Introduction to African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The African experience and current approaches to African studies, through adopting multidisciplinary perspectives on topics that include political conflict, governance and democratization, environment and conservation, economic development, rural life and urbanism, health and illness, gender, social change, popular culture, literature, film, and the arts.

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AFRI 598. Research Seminar in African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

An interdisciplinary research seminar on topics of common interest to staff and students of the African Studies Program. As part of their contribution, students will prepare a research paper under the supervision of one or more members of staff.
  • Prerequisite: an introductory course in any of the disciplines studying Africa
  • Restriction: Open to final year Program students, and to others by permission of Program Adviser

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Group A (3 credits from)

ANTH 322. Social Change in Modern Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The impact of colonialism on African societies; changing families, religion, arts; political and economic transformation; migration, urbanization, new social categories; social stratification; the social setting of independence and neo-colonialism; continuity, stagnation, and progressive change.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: ANTH 202, or ANTH 204, or ANTH 205, or ANTH 206, or ANTH 209, or ANTH 212, or ANTH 227 or permission of instructor

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HIST 200. Introduction to African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

This course stresses the interactions of the peoples of Africa with each other and with the worlds of Europe and Islam from the Iron Age to the European Conquest in 1880.

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HIST 201. Modern African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

While covering the general political history of Africa in the twentieth century, this course also explores such themes as health and disease, gender, and urbanization.

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POLI 324. Comparative Politics of Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The government and politics of African states south of the Sahara with reference to the ideological and institutional setting as influenced by the forces of tradition and the impact of Western colonialism.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in Comparative Politics or a course on the region or written permission of the instructor
  • Note: The field is Comparative Politics.

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POLI 352. International Policy/Foreign Policy: Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

A study of international politics in Africa; including Africa in the U.N., the Organization of African Unity, African regional groupings and integration, Africa as a foreign policy arena and African inter-state conflict and diplomacy.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in International or African politics or written consent of the instructor
  • Note: The field is International Politics.

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Group B (9 credits from)

9 credits from the Group B course lists below drawn from at least 2 disciplines with no more than 6 credits from any one discipline.

African Studies

AFRI 401. Swahili Language and Culture.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Basic knowledge of the Swahili language and culture with emphasis on handling circumstances that might be encountered in field research: everyday conversation, developing aural and oral skills and mastering basic grammar rules, understanding cultural norms and practices, issues of culture sensitivity and appropriateness.
  • Note: Priority to students in the African Studies Program and/or participants of the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program and to students with a demonstrable need related to internship or research. Approval by African Studies Program Adviser required.

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AFRI 480. Honours Thesis.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Supervised reading, research and preparation of an undergraduate thesis under the direction of a staff member.
  • Prerequisite: the completion of all available courses relevant to the topic, and permission of the instructor and Program Adviser prior to registration
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Joint Honours students.

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AFRI 481. Special Topics 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Supervised reading in advanced special topics in African Studies under the direction of a member of staff.
  • Prerequisite: the completion of all available courses relevant to the topic, and permission of the instructor and Program Adviser prior to registration

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AFRI 499. Arts Internships: African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Internship with an approved host institution or organization.
  • Note: U2 and U3 students in good standing, normally after completing 30 credits of a 90-credit program or 45 credits of a 96-120 credit program, a minimum CGPA of 2.7, and permission from the departmental Internship Adviser. This course will normally not fulfill program requirements for seminar or 400-level courses.

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Anthropology

ANTH 212. Anthropology of Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Processes of developmental change, as they affect small communities in the Third World and in unindustrialized parts of developed countries. Problems of technological change, political integration, population growth, industrialization, urban growth, social services, infrastructure and economic dependency.
  • Winter

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ANTH 315. Society/Culture: East Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Overview of the history, languages and cultures of the region. Examination of the social institutions, cultural patterns, subsistence practices and environmental settings of major social groups, including hunter-foragers, fishers, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and cultivators. Discussion of current theoretical and ethnological issues in the study of culture and social change.
  • Winter
  • Restriction: Open only to students in the Study in Africa program, a full-term field study program in East Africa

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ANTH 322. Social Change in Modern Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The impact of colonialism on African societies; changing families, religion, arts; political and economic transformation; migration, urbanization, new social categories; social stratification; the social setting of independence and neo-colonialism; continuity, stagnation, and progressive change.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: ANTH 202, or ANTH 204, or ANTH 205, or ANTH 206, or ANTH 209, or ANTH 212, or ANTH 227 or permission of instructor

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ANTH 411. Primate Studies and Conservation.

ANTH 411
Primate Studies and Conservation.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Critical evaluation of theories in primate behaviour, ecology, and conservation that emphasizes direct observations, research design, and developing field methods.
  • Winter
  • Prerequisite: One course in Anthropology, Geography or Environmental Studies, Introductory Biology, or permission of the instructor.
  • Restriction: Students must have completed at least two full semesters at their home university. Only open to students in the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program.

ANTH 416. Environment/Development: Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Study of environmental effects of development in East Africa, especially due to changes in traditional land tenure and resource use across diverse ecosystems. Models, policies and cases of pastoralist, agricultural, fishing, wildlife and tourist development will be examined, across savanna, desert, forest, highland and coastal environments.
  • Winter
  • Restriction: Open only to students in the Study in Africa program, a full-term field study program in East Africa
  • Prerequisite: One prior course in Anthropology, Geography or Environmental Studies

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Architecture

ARCH 355. Architectural History 4.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Architecture (Faculty of Engineering)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The study of cities and world architecture from 1900 to the present.
  • (2-1-6)
  • Prerequisites: ARCH 250 and ARCH 251

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Biology

BIOL 428. Biological Diversity in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Biological diversity as exemplified by a particular taxonomic group chosen by the instructor, using field setting in East Africa to impart training in species identification, field research, and principles embodied in the phylogeny, systematics, biogeography, ecology, physiology and/or behaviour of the organisms concerned.
  • Winter
  • Student must be enrolled in the Africa Field Study Seminar
  • Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
  • Corequisite(s): NRSC/BIOL 451 and ANTH/GEOG 451

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BIOL 429. East African Ecology.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Field settings (Uganda, Kenya, and/or Tanzania) are used to impart training in ecological principles critical to tropical conservation with an emphasis on research design and field research exercises.
  • Winter
  • The course is to be taught in Africa as a component of the Africa Field Study Semester. Students must register for the Africa Field Study Semester.
  • Prerequisite: BIOL 215 or equivalent.
  • Corequisite: NRSC/BIOL 451 and ANTH/GEOG 451
  • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken BIOL 329.

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BIOL 451. Research in Ecology and Development in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Development of observation and independent inquiry skills through: 1) participation in short-term project modules in collaboration with existing researchers; 2) participation in interdisciplinary team research on topics selected to allow comparative analysis of field sites; 3) active and systematic observation, documentation, and integration of field experience in ecology and development issues.
  • Winter
  • Open only to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
  • Corequisite(s): ANTH 451 or GEOG 451
  • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 451.

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Canadian Studies

CANS 415. Black Canada.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Institute for Study of Canada (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The significant presence of people of African descent in Canada that dates back to the 17th century. Migration and immigration will be situated as part of the renewal of Canadian identity while examining the intellectual, historical and political presence of people of African descent.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CANS 401 when topic was "Caribbean Canadians" or "Black Diaspora".

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Economics

ECON 208. Microeconomic Analysis and Applications.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027
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Description

A university-level introduction to demand and supply, consumer behaviour, production theory, market structures and income distribution theory.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MGCR 293, ECON 230 or ECON 250

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ECON 313. Economic Development 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027
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Description

Microeconomic theories of economic development and empirical evidence on population, labour, firms, poverty. Inequality and environment.
  • Prerequisite: ECON 208 and either ECON 209 or one development course.

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ECON 416. Topics in Economic Development 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

This course gives students a broad overview of the economics of developing countries. The course covers micro and macro topics, with particular emphasis on the economic analysis at the micro level.
  • Prerequisite(s): ECON 230 or ECON 250 and ECON 227D1/D2 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

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Education

-in winter 2024: African Social Movements

EDEC 575. Special Topics in Education.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed (Faculty of Education)
Terms offered: Summer 2026
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Description

In-depth study of current topic(s) in the field of education.
  • Restrictions: Open only to higher-level Undergraduate students and Master's students.
  • **Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fifth lecture day.

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English

* Note: Course is counted only when African materials are taught.

*
*

ENGL 421. African Literature.

Credits: 3
Offered by: English (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

A study of African literature.
  • For the most detailed and up-to-date descriptions of course and seminar offerings please see the Department of English website at .
  • Winter

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French

FREN 380. Littératures francophones 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: French Language & Literature (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Étude d’une ou de plusieurs littératures francophones autres que les littératures québécoise et française.

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FREN 381. Littératures francophones 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: French Language & Literature (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Étude d’œuvres, d’auteurs ou de courants d’une ou de plusieurs littératures francophones autres que les littératures québécoise et française.

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Gender, Sexuality, Feminist, and Social Justice Studies

*

* Note: Course is counted only when African materials are taught.

Geography

GEOG 216. Geography of the World Economy.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The course introduces the geography of the world economic system. It describes the spatial distribution of economic activities and examines the factors which influence their changing location. Case studies from both "developed" and "developing" countries will test the different geographical theories presented in lectures.
  • Fall
  • 3 hours

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GEOG 403. Global Health and Environmental Change.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Major themes and contemporary case studies in global health and environmental change. Focus on understanding global trends in emerging infectious disease from social, biophysical, and geographical perspectives, and critically assessing the health implications of environmental change in different international contexts.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 205 or GEOG 221 or GEOG 321 or GEOG 303 or permission from the instructor
  • Restriction: Course not open to students who were registered for GEOG 303 in Winter 2008.

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GEOG 404. Environmental Management 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Practical application of environmental planning, analysis and management techniques with reference to the needs and problems of developing areas. Special challenges posed by cultural differences and traditional resource systems are discussed. This course involves practical field work in a developing area (Kenya or Panama).
  • Winter
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 302 or permission of instructor

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GEOG 408. Geography of Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Examines the geographical dimensions of development policy, specifically the relationships between the process of development and human-induced environmental change. Focuses on environmental sustainability, struggles over resource control, population and poverty, and levels of governance (the role of the state, non-governmental organizations, and local communities).
  • Fall
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 210 or GEOG 216 or permission of instructor

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GEOG 410. Geography of Underdevelopment: Current Problems.

GEOG 410
Geography of Underdevelopment: Current Problems.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An examination of the cultural, political, and economic mechanisms and manifestations of contemporary underdevelopment and the response to it from different regional and national peripheral societies within the dominant world economic system.
  • Winter
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 216 or permission of instructor

GEOG 416. Africa South of the Sahara.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

A synthetic overview of physical and cultural geography examining particularly the relation of African peoples to their landscapes, the causes and consequences of environmental changes, and the idea of sustainable development as it applies to African landscapes, resource systems and economies.
  • Winter
  • Offered in Kenya as part of the African Field Studies semester.

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GEOG 423. Dilemmas of Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Africa seems beset by development problems. Some of these appear to have no clear answer. Such dilemmas present significant barriers to moving forward with durable, effective development in Africa. This course will examine two primary and frequently interlocked dilemmas in East Africa with wide ranging impact - food security, and conflict.
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 310 or GEOG 408 or GEOG 410, or equivalent
  • Restriction: Open to students in the African Field Study Semester (AFSS) only

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GEOG 451. Research in Society and Development in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Three intersecting components: 1) core development themes including culture change, environmental conservation, water, health, development (urban and rural), governance and conflict resolution, 2) research techniques for topics related to core themes, including ethics, risk, field methods and data analysis, 3) field documentation, scientific recording and communication.
  • Winter
  • Prerequisite: Open to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
  • Corequisite: NRSC 452.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken, or are taking ANTH 451.

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History

HIST 200. Introduction to African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

This course stresses the interactions of the peoples of Africa with each other and with the worlds of Europe and Islam from the Iron Age to the European Conquest in 1880.

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HIST 201. Modern African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

While covering the general political history of Africa in the twentieth century, this course also explores such themes as health and disease, gender, and urbanization.

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HIST 206. Indian Ocean World History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An introduction to the “global” system connecting eastern Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and the Far East, from the earliest times to c. 1900.

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HIST 210. Introduction to Latin American History .

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Historical development of Latin America’s peoples through the pre-Columbian, colonial and national periods, c. 1300-2000. Introduces key historiographical debates of the subfield and emphasizes the interpretation of primary source texts (in translation).

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HIST 298AB. Introduction to Caribbean History

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An introduction to a topic or theme in History.

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HIST 381. Colonial Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An overview of the history of foreign intervention and anticolonial resistance in 19th and 20th century Africa. Topics include: theories of colonialism, the scramble for Africa, colonialism and disease, indirect rule, labour, nationalism and resistance, and changing gender roles.
  • Prerequisite(s): HIST 200, HIST 201, HIST 206 or AFRI 200 recommended.

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HIST 382. History of South Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

History of South Africa from precolonial times to the present. Topics include: precolonial societies; British and Dutch colonialism; slavery in colonial South Africa; the Zulu kingdom; mining capitalism; the Boer War; Afrikaner nationalism; apartheid; the anti-apartheid struggle; music, religion, and art; challenges of the post-apartheid state.
  • Prerequisite(s): HIST 200, HIST 201, HIST 206 or AFRI 200 recommended.

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HIST 389AA. Topics: African Country Survey

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

In depth survey of a single African country (other than South Africa), including the pre-colonial history of the region, colonialism, and post-colonial economic, cultural and political history.

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HIST 411. Topics in African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

In depth examination of a specific topic or individual in African or African diasporic history.
  • Prerequisite: A previous course in African history or permission of instructor.

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HIST 528. Indian Ocean World Slave Trade.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The origins, structure and impact of the Indian Ocean World slave trade from early times to the present day. Enslavement, the trading structure, slave functions, reactions to slavery, emancipation and 'slave' diaspora. Comparisons will be made to the Atlantic slave system.
  • Prerequisites: HIST 200 or HIST 213 or permission of instructor.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken HIST 467.

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[2025-2026 only:

HIST 560D1. World History: Seminar.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Readings on and discussion of a theme in world history.
  • Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
  • Restrictions: Restricted to Graduate Students and Honours students or advanced students with permission of instructor. Not open to students who have taken HIST 561.
  • Students must register for both HIST 560D1 and HIST 560D2
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both HIST 560D1 and HIST 560D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • 560D1 and HIST 560D2 together are equivalent to HIST 560

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HIST 560D2. World History: Seminar.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Readings on and discussion of a theme in world history.
  • Prerequisite: HIST 560D1
  • Restrictions: Restricted to Graduate Students and Honours students or advanced students with permission of instructor. Not open to students who have taken HIST 561.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both HIST 560D1 and HIST 560D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • 560D1 and HIST 560D2 together are equivalent to HIST 560

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Islamic Studies

ISLA 360. Islam and Politics.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Assessment of the relationship between Islam and politics in the contemporary Middle East and Africa through various analytic themes, including political economy, social movement and gendered analysis.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 210 or AFRI 200.

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ISLA 410. History: Middle-East 1798-1918.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

A study of the Middle East from Napoleon's invasion of Egypt to the end of WWI. Emphasis will be on the emergence of nationalisms in the context of European imperialism; political, social, and economic transformation; religion and ideology; and changing patterns of alliances.
  • 3 hours

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ISLA 221D1. Introductory Arabic.

Credits: 4.5
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic, including pronunciation and reading and writing of the Arabic script; and speaking and comprehension of basic sentences, commands, statements in the present tense.
  • Prerequisites: Permission of the Institute required.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA521D1/D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 221D1 and ISLA 221D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Students must register for both ISLA221D1 and ISLA 221D2.

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ISLA 221D2. Introductory Arabic.

Credits: 4.5
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

See for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 221D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 221D1 and ISLA 221D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Students must register for both ISLA221D1 and ISLA 221D2.

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Natural Resources and Sciences

WILD 375. Issues: Environmental Sciences.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Principles and trends in global ecology as they pertain to agricultural and natural ecosystems and the impact of environmental change on food production.
  • Winter
  • 3 lectures

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Philosophy

PHIL 327. Philosophy of Race.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

An introduction to issues in the philosophy of race, for example: the metaphysical status of race; the biology of racial categories; the social construction of race; the relationship between race and racism; the phenomenology of racialized subjectivity; or, intersections of race, gender, and other identity categories.

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Political Science

POLI 227. Introduction to Comparative Politics - Global South.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

An introduction to politics across the Global South. A comparative examination of the legacies of colonialism, the achievement of independence, and political and socio-economic development in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Topics include modernization, dependency, state-building, political violence, revolution, the role of the military, authoritarianism, and democratization.
  • Note: The field is Comparative Politics.

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POLI 324. Comparative Politics of Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The government and politics of African states south of the Sahara with reference to the ideological and institutional setting as influenced by the forces of tradition and the impact of Western colonialism.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in Comparative Politics or a course on the region or written permission of the instructor
  • Note: The field is Comparative Politics.

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POLI 522. Seminar: Comparative Politics 1 .

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Seminar on comparative politics.
  • Prerequisite: At least one upper-level course in comparative politics.
  • Restriction: Open to graduate students, final year honours students, and other advanced undergraduates with permission of the instructor.
  • Note: The field is comparative politics

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Religious Studies

In 2025-2026 only:

RELG 318. Special Topics in Religion 3.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Topics of current interest in, or between, world religions.
  • Fall and Summer
  • Prerequisites: RELG 204 or RELG 252 or RELG 253.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken RELG 496.

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RELG 319. Special Topics in Religion 4.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Topics of current interest in, or between, world religions.
  • Summer
  • Prerequisites: RELG 204 or RELG 252 or RELG 253
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken RELG 496

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Sociology

SOCI 254. Development and Underdevelopment.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Competing theories about the causes of underdevelopment in the poor countries. Topics include the impact of geography, the population explosion, culture and national character, economic and sexual inequalities, democracy and dictatorship. Western imperialism and multi-national corporations, reliance on the market, and development through local participation, cooperation, and appropriate technology.
  • Summer

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SOCI 365. Health and Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Main concepts and controversies linking health to broader social and economic conditions in low income countries. Topics include the demographic and epidemiological transitions, the health and wealth conundrum, the social determinants of health, health as an economic development strategy, and the impact of the AIDS pandemic.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 234 or SOCI 254

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SOCI 370. Sociology: Gender and Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Exploration of the main development theories and discussion of how gender is placed within them, analysis of the practical application of development projects and discussion of how they affect gender dynamics, and examination of power relations between development agencies and developing countries. Examples from Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America are used.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 210

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SOCI 446. Colonialism and Society.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Forms that colonialism took, its impact on colonial societies, and its modern legacies, focusing on overseas colonialism between 1600 and the 1970s.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 210 or permission from instructor.

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SOCI 484. Emerging Democratic States.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Focus on the sociological aspects of recent transitions to democracy within developing countries - particularly within Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Exploration of why democratization has taken place, to what extent it has been successful and the implications of democratization.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 210

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SOCI 513. Social Aspects HIV/AIDS in Africa.

SOCI 513
Social Aspects HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Examination of the social causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Gender inequality, sexual behaviours, marriage systems, migration, and poverty are shaping the pandemic as well as how the pandemic is altering social, demographic and economic conditions across Africa.
  • Prerequisites: SOCI 225 or SOCI 309 or Permission of Instructor.

SOCI 550. Developing Societies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Comparison of alternative explanations of underdevelopment: the impact of social stratification, relations of domination and subordination between countries, state interference with the market. Alternative strategies of change: revolution, structural adjustment, community development and cooperatives. Students will write and present a research paper, and participate extensively in class discussion.

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For more information, see Programs, Courses and University Regulations.

Joint Honours Component World Islamic & Middle East Studies (36 Credits)

Program Requirements

The Joint Honours program in African Studies provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the African continent and its diaspora.

Students wishing to study at the Honours level in two disciplines can combine Joint Honours program components in any two Arts disciplines. Joint Honours students should consult an adviser in each department to discuss their course selection and their interdisciplinary Honours thesis (if applicable).

Joint Honours students are expected to maintain a program GPA of 3.30 and, according to Faculty regulations, a minimum CGPA of 3.00, in general. ForFirst-Class Honours, the CGPA at graduation must be 3.50 or better.

At least 9 of the 36 credits must be at the 400 level or above.

During Winter 2020, the S/U option applied to all courses. For Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 terms, you could have used the S/U option for a total of 6 credits over the two terms that were taken to satisfy a program requirement.

Important note: If you have taken or intend to take a course that has at least 30% African material and your project/final paper is related to African studies, please contact us to have it assessed.

Required Courses (9 Credits)

AFRI 200. Introduction to African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The African experience and current approaches to African studies, through adopting multidisciplinary perspectives on topics that include political conflict, governance and democratization, environment and conservation, economic development, rural life and urbanism, health and illness, gender, social change, popular culture, literature, film, and the arts.

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AFRI 480. Honours Thesis.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Supervised reading, research and preparation of an undergraduate thesis under the direction of a staff member.
  • Prerequisite: the completion of all available courses relevant to the topic, and permission of the instructor and Program Adviser prior to registration
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Joint Honours students.

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-*

AFRI 598. Research Seminar in African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

An interdisciplinary research seminar on topics of common interest to staff and students of the African Studies Program. As part of their contribution, students will prepare a research paper under the supervision of one or more members of staff.
  • Prerequisite: an introductory course in any of the disciplines studying Africa
  • Restriction: Open to final year Program students, and to others by permission of Program Adviser

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* Students must meet the specific requirements regarding Thesis credits of their second program in addition to the AFRI 480 Honours Thesis.

Group A (9 credits from)

ANTH 322. Social Change in Modern Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The impact of colonialism on African societies; changing families, religion, arts; political and economic transformation; migration, urbanization, new social categories; social stratification; the social setting of independence and neo-colonialism; continuity, stagnation, and progressive change.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: ANTH 202, or ANTH 204, or ANTH 205, or ANTH 206, or ANTH 209, or ANTH 212, or ANTH 227 or permission of instructor

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HIST 200. Introduction to African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

This course stresses the interactions of the peoples of Africa with each other and with the worlds of Europe and Islam from the Iron Age to the European Conquest in 1880.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


HIST 201. Modern African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

While covering the general political history of Africa in the twentieth century, this course also explores such themes as health and disease, gender, and urbanization.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

HIST 352. African Diaspora Post-Emancipation.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Exploration of the ways that diasporic Africans in the Atlantic World imagined freedom after European empires nominally abolished chattel enslavement in the mid-nineteenth century, including resistance, migrations, mass social movements, trans-Atlantic organizing, as well as imperialism, colonialism, and neo-colonialism from the nineteenth century to the contemporary period.
  • HIST 224 is recommended.

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ISLA 360. Islam and Politics.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Assessment of the relationship between Islam and politics in the contemporary Middle East and Africa through various analytic themes, including political economy, social movement and gendered analysis.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 210 or AFRI 200.

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POLI 324. Comparative Politics of Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The government and politics of African states south of the Sahara with reference to the ideological and institutional setting as influenced by the forces of tradition and the impact of Western colonialism.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in Comparative Politics or a course on the region or written permission of the instructor
  • Note: The field is Comparative Politics.

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POLI 352. International Policy/Foreign Policy: Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

A study of international politics in Africa; including Africa in the U.N., the Organization of African Unity, African regional groupings and integration, Africa as a foreign policy arena and African inter-state conflict and diplomacy.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in International or African politics or written consent of the instructor
  • Note: The field is International Politics.

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Group B (18 credits from)

18 credits from the Group B course lists below drawn from at least 3 disciplines with no more than 9 credits from any one discipline.

African Studies

AFRI 401. Swahili Language and Culture.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Basic knowledge of the Swahili language and culture with emphasis on handling circumstances that might be encountered in field research: everyday conversation, developing aural and oral skills and mastering basic grammar rules, understanding cultural norms and practices, issues of culture sensitivity and appropriateness.
  • Note: Priority to students in the African Studies Program and/or participants of the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program and to students with a demonstrable need related to internship or research. Approval by African Studies Program Adviser required.

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AFRI 481. Special Topics 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Supervised reading in advanced special topics in African Studies under the direction of a member of staff.
  • Prerequisite: the completion of all available courses relevant to the topic, and permission of the instructor and Program Adviser prior to registration

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AFRI 499. Arts Internships: African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Internship with an approved host institution or organization.
  • Note: U2 and U3 students in good standing, normally after completing 30 credits of a 90-credit program or 45 credits of a 96-120 credit program, a minimum CGPA of 2.7, and permission from the departmental Internship Adviser. This course will normally not fulfill program requirements for seminar or 400-level courses.

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Anthropology

ANTH 212. Anthropology of Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Processes of developmental change, as they affect small communities in the Third World and in unindustrialized parts of developed countries. Problems of technological change, political integration, population growth, industrialization, urban growth, social services, infrastructure and economic dependency.
  • Winter

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ANTH 315. Society/Culture: East Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Overview of the history, languages and cultures of the region. Examination of the social institutions, cultural patterns, subsistence practices and environmental settings of major social groups, including hunter-foragers, fishers, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and cultivators. Discussion of current theoretical and ethnological issues in the study of culture and social change.
  • Winter
  • Restriction: Open only to students in the Study in Africa program, a full-term field study program in East Africa

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ANTH 322. Social Change in Modern Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The impact of colonialism on African societies; changing families, religion, arts; political and economic transformation; migration, urbanization, new social categories; social stratification; the social setting of independence and neo-colonialism; continuity, stagnation, and progressive change.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: ANTH 202, or ANTH 204, or ANTH 205, or ANTH 206, or ANTH 209, or ANTH 212, or ANTH 227 or permission of instructor

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Canadian Studies

CANS 415. Black Canada.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Institute for Study of Canada (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The significant presence of people of African descent in Canada that dates back to the 17th century. Migration and immigration will be situated as part of the renewal of Canadian identity while examining the intellectual, historical and political presence of people of African descent.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CANS 401 when topic was "Caribbean Canadians" or "Black Diaspora".

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Economics

ECON 208. Microeconomic Analysis and Applications.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027
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Description

A university-level introduction to demand and supply, consumer behaviour, production theory, market structures and income distribution theory.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MGCR 293, ECON 230 or ECON 250

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ECON 313. Economic Development 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027
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Description

Microeconomic theories of economic development and empirical evidence on population, labour, firms, poverty. Inequality and environment.
  • Prerequisite: ECON 208 and either ECON 209 or one development course.

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ECON 314. Economic Development 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Economics (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Macroeconomic development issues, including theories of growth, public finance, debt, currency crises, corruption, structural adjustment, democracy and global economic organization.
  • Prerequisite: ECON 313

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English

ENGL 421. African Literature.

Credits: 3
Offered by: English (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

A study of African literature.
  • For the most detailed and up-to-date descriptions of course and seminar offerings please see the Department of English website at .
  • Winter

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Geography

GEOG 216. Geography of the World Economy.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The course introduces the geography of the world economic system. It describes the spatial distribution of economic activities and examines the factors which influence their changing location. Case studies from both "developed" and "developing" countries will test the different geographical theories presented in lectures.
  • Fall
  • 3 hours

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GEOG 403. Global Health and Environmental Change.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Major themes and contemporary case studies in global health and environmental change. Focus on understanding global trends in emerging infectious disease from social, biophysical, and geographical perspectives, and critically assessing the health implications of environmental change in different international contexts.
  • Fall
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 205 or GEOG 221 or GEOG 321 or GEOG 303 or permission from the instructor
  • Restriction: Course not open to students who were registered for GEOG 303 in Winter 2008.

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GEOG 408. Geography of Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Examines the geographical dimensions of development policy, specifically the relationships between the process of development and human-induced environmental change. Focuses on environmental sustainability, struggles over resource control, population and poverty, and levels of governance (the role of the state, non-governmental organizations, and local communities).
  • Fall
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 210 or GEOG 216 or permission of instructor

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History

HIST 200. Introduction to African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

This course stresses the interactions of the peoples of Africa with each other and with the worlds of Europe and Islam from the Iron Age to the European Conquest in 1880.

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HIST 201. Modern African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

While covering the general political history of Africa in the twentieth century, this course also explores such themes as health and disease, gender, and urbanization.

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HIST 206. Indian Ocean World History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An introduction to the “global” system connecting eastern Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and the Far East, from the earliest times to c. 1900.

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HIST 224. Introduction to the African Diaspora.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

African history is global history. Introduction to African civilizations, starting in the medieval period, the emergence of proto-Black racial consciousness, colour/race prejudice and anti-blackness, institutions of resilience (such as spiritual systems and kinship networks), enslavement in North Africa, Mediterranean, Levant, Arabia, Indian Ocean, and Americas, and revolutionary resistance against racial tyranny.
  • Prerequisites: HIST 204 or consent of instructor

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HIST 340. History of Modern Egypt.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Explores the history of Egypt from the 18th Century to today. Topics include: Ottoman Egypt, the impact of French and British Colonialism, Nasserism, Camp David and economic liberalization, and the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.
  • Prerequisite(s): HIST 201, HIST 240 or ISLA 210 recommended.

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HIST 352. African Diaspora Post-Emancipation.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Exploration of the ways that diasporic Africans in the Atlantic World imagined freedom after European empires nominally abolished chattel enslavement in the mid-nineteenth century, including resistance, migrations, mass social movements, trans-Atlantic organizing, as well as imperialism, colonialism, and neo-colonialism from the nineteenth century to the contemporary period.
  • HIST 224 is recommended.

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HIST 381. Colonial Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An overview of the history of foreign intervention and anticolonial resistance in 19th and 20th century Africa. Topics include: theories of colonialism, the scramble for Africa, colonialism and disease, indirect rule, labour, nationalism and resistance, and changing gender roles.
  • Prerequisite(s): HIST 200, HIST 201, HIST 206 or AFRI 200 recommended.

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HIST 382. History of South Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

History of South Africa from precolonial times to the present. Topics include: precolonial societies; British and Dutch colonialism; slavery in colonial South Africa; the Zulu kingdom; mining capitalism; the Boer War; Afrikaner nationalism; apartheid; the anti-apartheid struggle; music, religion, and art; challenges of the post-apartheid state.
  • Prerequisite(s): HIST 200, HIST 201, HIST 206 or AFRI 200 recommended.

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HIST 389AA. Topics: African Country Survey

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

In depth survey of a single African country (other than South Africa), including the pre-colonial history of the region, colonialism, and post-colonial economic, cultural and political history.

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HIST 411. Topics in African History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

In depth examination of a specific topic or individual in African or African diasporic history.
  • Prerequisite: A previous course in African history or permission of instructor.

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HIST 527. Topics: Indian Ocean World History.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

This course studies pivotal topics in Indian Ocean World (IOW) history. Topics may include (i) the rise and development of the IOW global economy; (ii) The Swahili Civilisation and the IOW; (iii) Islam and the IOW; (iv) Imperialism in the IOW; (v) IOW Slavery and Slave Trades; (vi) History of Madagascar.
  • Prerequisite: Any 200 or 300 level history course or any course on Africa, Asia, global or labour studies or permission of instructor

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HIST 528. Indian Ocean World Slave Trade.

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The origins, structure and impact of the Indian Ocean World slave trade from early times to the present day. Enslavement, the trading structure, slave functions, reactions to slavery, emancipation and 'slave' diaspora. Comparisons will be made to the Atlantic slave system.
  • Prerequisites: HIST 200 or HIST 213 or permission of instructor.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken HIST 467.

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Islamic Studies

ISLA 360. Islam and Politics.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Assessment of the relationship between Islam and politics in the contemporary Middle East and Africa through various analytic themes, including political economy, social movement and gendered analysis.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 210 or AFRI 200.

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ISLA 375. Sufi Women

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The lives and contributions of famous female Muslim mystics. Historical and literary analysis of gender discourse in male-authored representations of these mystical Sufi women, as well as developments in theologies of the cosmic feminine in Sufi philosophical texts.
  • Prerequisites: ISLA 200
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 305 when the topic was: "Sufi Women".

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ISLA 221D1. Introductory Arabic.

Credits: 4.5
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic, including pronunciation and reading and writing of the Arabic script; and speaking and comprehension of basic sentences, commands, statements in the present tense.
  • Prerequisites: Permission of the Institute required.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA521D1/D2.
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 221D1 and ISLA 221D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Students must register for both ISLA221D1 and ISLA 221D2.

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ISLA 221D2. Introductory Arabic.

Credits: 4.5
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

See for course description.
  • Prerequisite: ISLA 221D1
  • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 221D1 and ISLA 221D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
  • Students must register for both ISLA221D1 and ISLA 221D2.

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ISLA 530. Advanced Sufism

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Advanced explorations of various specialized texts and topics in Sufi history and thought. Focus on specific Sufi thinkers, Sufi texts and literary works in the original and translation, Sufism and gender, aspects of Sufi practice.
  • Prerequisites: ISLA 330 or ISLA 375.
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 581 when topic was: "Advanced Sufism".

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Political Science

POLI 227. Introduction to Comparative Politics - Global South.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

An introduction to politics across the Global South. A comparative examination of the legacies of colonialism, the achievement of independence, and political and socio-economic development in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Topics include modernization, dependency, state-building, political violence, revolution, the role of the military, authoritarianism, and democratization.
  • Note: The field is Comparative Politics.

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POLI 324. Comparative Politics of Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The government and politics of African states south of the Sahara with reference to the ideological and institutional setting as influenced by the forces of tradition and the impact of Western colonialism.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in Comparative Politics or a course on the region or written permission of the instructor
  • Note: The field is Comparative Politics.

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POLI 352. International Policy/Foreign Policy: Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

A study of international politics in Africa; including Africa in the U.N., the Organization of African Unity, African regional groupings and integration, Africa as a foreign policy arena and African inter-state conflict and diplomacy.
  • Prerequisite: A basic course in International or African politics or written consent of the instructor
  • Note: The field is International Politics.

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POLI 522. Seminar: Comparative Politics 1 .

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Seminar on comparative politics.
  • Prerequisite: At least one upper-level course in comparative politics.
  • Restriction: Open to graduate students, final year honours students, and other advanced undergraduates with permission of the instructor.
  • Note: The field is comparative politics

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Religious Studies

RELG 212. Introduction to African Religions and Cultures

Credits: 3
Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Introduction to the varied and diverse peoples and cultures of Africa, taking religion as the starting point for understanding their ways of life. Focus on themes and categories such as cosmology, family and social structure, history, arts, gender and sexuality, and mythology. Examination of the ways traditional forms of religion, Christianity, and Islam have played a fundamental role in shaping the realities of African societies as well as African diaspora traditions.

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Sociology

SOCI 365. Health and Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Main concepts and controversies linking health to broader social and economic conditions in low income countries. Topics include the demographic and epidemiological transitions, the health and wealth conundrum, the social determinants of health, health as an economic development strategy, and the impact of the AIDS pandemic.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 234 or SOCI 254

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SOCI 370. Sociology: Gender and Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Exploration of the main development theories and discussion of how gender is placed within them, analysis of the practical application of development projects and discussion of how they affect gender dynamics, and examination of power relations between development agencies and developing countries. Examples from Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America are used.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 210

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SOCI 446. Colonialism and Society.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Forms that colonialism took, its impact on colonial societies, and its modern legacies, focusing on overseas colonialism between 1600 and the 1970s.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 210 or permission from instructor.

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SOCI 484. Emerging Democratic States.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Focus on the sociological aspects of recent transitions to democracy within developing countries - particularly within Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Exploration of why democratization has taken place, to what extent it has been successful and the implications of democratization.
  • Prerequisite: SOCI 210

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SOCI 513. Social Aspects HIV/AIDS in Africa.

SOCI 513
Social Aspects HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Examination of the social causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Gender inequality, sexual behaviours, marriage systems, migration, and poverty are shaping the pandemic as well as how the pandemic is altering social, demographic and economic conditions across Africa.
  • Prerequisites: SOCI 225 or SOCI 309 or Permission of Instructor.

SOCI 550. Developing Societies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Comparison of alternative explanations of underdevelopment: the impact of social stratification, relations of domination and subordination between countries, state interference with the market. Alternative strategies of change: revolution, structural adjustment, community development and cooperatives. Students will write and present a research paper, and participate extensively in class discussion.

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Other courses that could count

This is a non-exhaustive list of courses that could count when, minimally. a third of their content covers African materials and, if applicable, the student's written assignments are on topics related to African Studies. Please email info.islamics [at] mcgill.ca (the Student Affairs Coordinator) to start the review of a course by the Chair and/or a member of the Program Curriculum.

Architecture

ARCH 355. Architectural History 4.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Architecture (Faculty of Engineering)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

The study of cities and world architecture from 1900 to the present.
  • (2-1-6)
  • Prerequisites: ARCH 250 and ARCH 251

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ARCH 651. Architectural History and Theory Seminar 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Architecture (Graduate Studies)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Seminar on the thematic study of modern architecture and its theoretical underpinnings as a response to technological, cultural,environmental, and philosophical challenges. Historiographic and design approaches to architectural problems encountered from the pre-industrial age to contemporary post-industrial expansion.
  • (3-0-6)

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-Fall 2026 counts for terminal-year students.

Education

EDEC 249. Global Education and Social Justice.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed (Faculty of Education)
Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027
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Description

A cross-curricular, interdisciplinary approach to teaching/creating learning experiences for students. It will foster critical thinking and nurture lifelong global understanding, active engagement and participation in relation to questions of social, economic, and environmental justice, by infusing these issues in the classroom.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking EDEC 248.

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- Fall 2026 counts

EDEC 575. Special Topics in Education.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed (Faculty of Education)
Terms offered: Summer 2026
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Description

In-depth study of current topic(s) in the field of education.
  • Restrictions: Open only to higher-level Undergraduate students and Master's students.
  • **Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fifth lecture day.

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English

ENGL 319. Literary and Cultural Criticism

Credits: 3
Offered by: English (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

A survey of recent literary and cultural criticism.
  • For the most detailed and up-to-date descriptions of course and seminar offerings please see the Department of English website at .
  • Winter
  • Restriction: Limited to students in English Major and Honours Programs

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- Fall 2026 counts.

ENGL 320. Postcolonial Literature.

Credits: 3
Offered by: English (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

A study of postcolonial literature.
  • For the most detailed and up-to-date descriptions of course and seminar offerings please see the Department of English website at .
  • Winter

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ENGL 352. Theories of Difference.

Credits: 3
Offered by: English (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Introduction to a selection of theories that have influenced thinking about difference across the humanities and social sciences, including gender, sexuality, race, class and hierarchical structures, language, religion, ethnicity, and personal identity.
  • For the most detailed and up-to-date descriptions of course and seminar offerings please see the Department of English website at .
  • Fall
  • Restriction: Limited to students in English Major and Honours Programs.

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French

FREN 311. Cinéma francophone.

Credits: 3
Offered by: French Language & Literature (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Étude d’oeuvres ou de courants du cinéma francophone.

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FREN 380. Littératures francophones 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: French Language & Literature (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Étude d’une ou de plusieurs littératures francophones autres que les littératures québécoise et française.

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- Winter 2027 counts.

FREN 381. Littératures francophones 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: French Language & Literature (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Étude d’œuvres, d’auteurs ou de courants d’une ou de plusieurs littératures francophones autres que les littératures québécoise et française.

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Gender, Sexuality, Feminist, and Social Justice Studies

GSFS 304. Postcolonial Feminist Theories.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Inst for Gender, Sex & Fem St (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Critically examines bodies of postcolonial feminist theories from a variety of cross-disciplinary and transnational perspectives.
  • Prerequisite(s): GSFS 200 OR GSFS 250
  • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken WMST 401 when topic was “Women and the State in India: Colonial and Postcolonial Perspectives”.

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Geography

GEOG 217. Cities in the Modern World.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

An introduction to urban geography. Uses a spatial/geographic perspective to understand cities and their social and cultural processes. Addresses two major areas. The development and social dynamics in North American and European cities. The urban transformations in Asian, African, and Latin American societies that were recently predominantly rural and agrarian.
  • Note: Winter
  • Note: 3 hours

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- Does not count in 26-27.

GEOG 325. New Master-Planned Cities.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

This course examines the origins, designs, motivations and cultural politics of planned cities, focusing primarily on those currently under construction in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. A variety of themes will be explored including design responses to urban pollution and over-crowding, 'new' cities from earlier decades, totalitarianism and the city, utopianism, 'green' cities, and 'creative' cities. The course examines the various motivations underlying the design and construction of planned cities and how they are shaped by power, religion, and political ideologies. There will be a focus on evolving concepts used in city design as well as the continuities and cultural revivalism expressed through urban design and architecture. Students interested in urban and cultural geography, cities, architecture and planning in different cultural contexts will enjoy this course.
  • Prerequisite(s): GEOG 217, or permission of the instructor.
  • Restrictions: Open to U2 and above students.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

- Does not count in 26-27.

GEOG 410. Geography of Underdevelopment: Current Problems.

GEOG 410
Geography of Underdevelopment: Current Problems.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An examination of the cultural, political, and economic mechanisms and manifestations of contemporary underdevelopment and the response to it from different regional and national peripheral societies within the dominant world economic system.
  • Winter
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 216 or permission of instructor

History

HIST 210. Introduction to Latin American History .

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Historical development of Latin America’s peoples through the pre-Columbian, colonial and national periods, c. 1300-2000. Introduces key historiographical debates of the subfield and emphasizes the interpretation of primary source texts (in translation).

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

- Does not count in 26-27.

HIST 298AB. Introduction to Caribbean History

Credits: 3
Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An introduction to a topic or theme in History.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Indigenous Studies

INDG 400. Seminar: Indigenous Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Institute for Study of Canada (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

This advanced course is designed to examine specific topics and themes in Indigenous Studies. Possible examples: Indigenous research methodologies. Topics vary from year to year.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Philosophy

PHIL 242. Introduction to Feminist Theory.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

An introduction to feminist theory as political theory. Emphasis is placed on the plurality of analyses and proposals that constitute contemporary feminist thought. Some of the following are considered: liberal feminism, marxist and socialist feminism, radical feminism, postmodern feminism, francophone feminism, and the contributions to feminist theory by women of colour and lesbians.
  • Note: Since this course is being taught abroad, the Victoria Day statutory holiday will not be taken into consideration. Therefore, students are expected to attend their lecture on Monday, May 19, 2014.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

PHIL 327. Philosophy of Race.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

An introduction to issues in the philosophy of race, for example: the metaphysical status of race; the biology of racial categories; the social construction of race; the relationship between race and racism; the phenomenology of racialized subjectivity; or, intersections of race, gender, and other identity categories.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

PHIL 427. Topics in Critical Philosophy of Race.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

An advanced discussion of topics in the critical philosophy of race.
  • PHIL 327 or permission of the instructor.
  • Topics vary from year to year.

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Political Science

POLI 442. International Relations of Ethnic Conflict.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Issues related to the internationalization of ethnic conflict, including diasporas, contagion and demonstration effects, intervention, irredentism, the use of sanctions and force. Combination of theory and the study of contemporary cases.
  • Prerequisite: POLI 243 or POLI 244 or permission of the instructor.
  • Note: The field is International Relations

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


POLI 458. (De-) Coloniality.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Explores the theorization of colonialism, including settler colonialism, as a political phenomenon. Explores the connection between colonialism and political thought, with both an historical and contemporary focus. Explores how political thinkers have and are responding to, resisting, and undermining coloniality.
  • Prerequisite(s): one 300-level course in political theory
  • Note: This course is in the Political Theory field.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Religious Studies

RELG 318. Special Topics in Religion 3.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Topics of current interest in, or between, world religions.
  • Fall and Summer
  • Prerequisites: RELG 204 or RELG 252 or RELG 253.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken RELG 496.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

- Fall 2026 counts.

Sociology

SOCI 254. Development and Underdevelopment.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Sociology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Competing theories about the causes of underdevelopment in the poor countries. Topics include the impact of geography, the population explosion, culture and national character, economic and sexual inequalities, democracy and dictatorship. Western imperialism and multi-national corporations, reliance on the market, and development through local participation, cooperation, and appropriate technology.
  • Summer

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

East Africa Field Study Semester

ANTH 411. Primate Studies and Conservation.

ANTH 411
Primate Studies and Conservation.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Critical evaluation of theories in primate behaviour, ecology, and conservation that emphasizes direct observations, research design, and developing field methods.
  • Winter
  • Prerequisite: One course in Anthropology, Geography or Environmental Studies, Introductory Biology, or permission of the instructor.
  • Restriction: Students must have completed at least two full semesters at their home university. Only open to students in the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program.

ANTH 416. Environment/Development: Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Study of environmental effects of development in East Africa, especially due to changes in traditional land tenure and resource use across diverse ecosystems. Models, policies and cases of pastoralist, agricultural, fishing, wildlife and tourist development will be examined, across savanna, desert, forest, highland and coastal environments.
  • Winter
  • Restriction: Open only to students in the Study in Africa program, a full-term field study program in East Africa
  • Prerequisite: One prior course in Anthropology, Geography or Environmental Studies

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

- Could count under Group A.

ANTH 451. Research in Society and Development in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Instruction focuses on three goals: 1) existing research in selected core thematic areas, 2) participating in interdisciplinary team research, 3) developing powers of observation and independent inquiry. Students will be expected to develop research activities and interdisciplinary perspectives, and to become conversant with advances in local research in their field.
  • Winter
  • Prerequisite: Open to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
  • Corequisite: NRSC 452.
  • Restriction: Open only to AFSS students during the year of participation in the field. Not open to students who have taken GEOG 451.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

-Could count under Group A.

BIOL 428. Biological Diversity in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Biological diversity as exemplified by a particular taxonomic group chosen by the instructor, using field setting in East Africa to impart training in species identification, field research, and principles embodied in the phylogeny, systematics, biogeography, ecology, physiology and/or behaviour of the organisms concerned.
  • Winter
  • Student must be enrolled in the Africa Field Study Seminar
  • Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
  • Corequisite(s): NRSC/BIOL 451 and ANTH/GEOG 451

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

BIOL 429. East African Ecology.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Field settings (Uganda, Kenya, and/or Tanzania) are used to impart training in ecological principles critical to tropical conservation with an emphasis on research design and field research exercises.
  • Winter
  • The course is to be taught in Africa as a component of the Africa Field Study Semester. Students must register for the Africa Field Study Semester.
  • Prerequisite: BIOL 215 or equivalent.
  • Corequisite: NRSC/BIOL 451 and ANTH/GEOG 451
  • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken BIOL 329.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

BIOL 451. Research in Ecology and Development in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Biology (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Development of observation and independent inquiry skills through: 1) participation in short-term project modules in collaboration with existing researchers; 2) participation in interdisciplinary team research on topics selected to allow comparative analysis of field sites; 3) active and systematic observation, documentation, and integration of field experience in ecology and development issues.
  • Winter
  • Open only to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
  • Corequisite(s): ANTH 451 or GEOG 451
  • Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking NRSC 451.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

GEOG 404. Environmental Management 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Practical application of environmental planning, analysis and management techniques with reference to the needs and problems of developing areas. Special challenges posed by cultural differences and traditional resource systems are discussed. This course involves practical field work in a developing area (Kenya or Panama).
  • Winter
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 302 or permission of instructor

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

GEOG 416. Africa South of the Sahara.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

A synthetic overview of physical and cultural geography examining particularly the relation of African peoples to their landscapes, the causes and consequences of environmental changes, and the idea of sustainable development as it applies to African landscapes, resource systems and economies.
  • Winter
  • Offered in Kenya as part of the African Field Studies semester.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

-Could count under Group A.

GEOG 423. Dilemmas of Development.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Africa seems beset by development problems. Some of these appear to have no clear answer. Such dilemmas present significant barriers to moving forward with durable, effective development in Africa. This course will examine two primary and frequently interlocked dilemmas in East Africa with wide ranging impact - food security, and conflict.
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 310 or GEOG 408 or GEOG 410, or equivalent
  • Restriction: Open to students in the African Field Study Semester (AFSS) only

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


GEOG 451. Research in Society and Development in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Three intersecting components: 1) core development themes including culture change, environmental conservation, water, health, development (urban and rural), governance and conflict resolution, 2) research techniques for topics related to core themes, including ethics, risk, field methods and data analysis, 3) field documentation, scientific recording and communication.
  • Winter
  • Prerequisite: Open to U2 or later students in the AFSS.
  • Corequisite: NRSC 452.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken, or are taking ANTH 451.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

-Could count under Group A.

GEOG 493. Health and Environment in Africa.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Geography (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Exploration of key diseases of development, as well as patterns and determinants of health and disease in East Africa. Topics will focus on population and environmental health.
  • Prerequisite: GEOG 221, GEOG 303 or permission of instructor
  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken GEOG 403. Open to students in the African Field Study Semester (AFSS) only.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

WILD 375. Issues: Environmental Sciences.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Natural Resource Sciences (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Principles and trends in global ecology as they pertain to agricultural and natural ecosystems and the impact of environmental change on food production.
  • Winter
  • 3 lectures

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

For more information, see Programs, Courses and University Regulations.

Courses

AFRI 200

Introduction to African Studies

AFRI 200 is a required course for the AFRI Major Concentration and Minor Concentration programs.

AFRI 200. Introduction to African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

The African experience and current approaches to African studies, through adopting multidisciplinary perspectives on topics that include political conflict, governance and democratization, environment and conservation, economic development, rural life and urbanism, health and illness, gender, social change, popular culture, literature, film, and the arts.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

AFRI 401

Swahili Language and Culture

AFRI 401 is an optional Complimentary course for the AFRI Major Concentration and Minor Concentration programs.

AFRI 401. Swahili Language and Culture.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Fall 2026
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Description

Basic knowledge of the Swahili language and culture with emphasis on handling circumstances that might be encountered in field research: everyday conversation, developing aural and oral skills and mastering basic grammar rules, understanding cultural norms and practices, issues of culture sensitivity and appropriateness.
  • Note: Priority to students in the African Studies Program and/or participants of the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program and to students with a demonstrable need related to internship or research. Approval by African Studies Program Adviser required.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Note: Priority to students in the African Studies program and/or participants of the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program and to students with a demonstrable need related to internship or research. Approval by African Studies Program Advisor required.

AFRI 401

AFRI 480

Honours Thesis

AFRI 480 is an optional Complimentary course for the AFRI Major Concentration and Minor Concentration programs.

AFRI 480. Honours Thesis.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
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Description

Supervised reading, research and preparation of an undergraduate thesis under the direction of a staff member.
  • Prerequisite: the completion of all available courses relevant to the topic, and permission of the instructor and Program Adviser prior to registration
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Joint Honours students.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Microsoft Office document icon AFRI 480/481 Approval Form

Grades

Grades are due one week after end of classes and will be submitted on Minerva by the thesis supervisor. If there are any issues with submitting the grade please contact the Islamic Studies Student Affairs office at info.islamics [at] mcgill.ca.

AFRI 481

Special Topics 1

AFRI 481 is an optional Complimentary course for the AFRI Major Concentration and Minor Concentration programs.

AFRI 481. Special Topics 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Supervised reading in advanced special topics in African Studies under the direction of a member of staff.
  • Prerequisite: the completion of all available courses relevant to the topic, and permission of the instructor and Program Adviser prior to registration

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Microsoft Office document icon AFRI 480/481 Approval Form

Grades

Grades are due one week after end of classes and will be submitted on Minerva by the thesis supervisor. If there are any issues with submitting the grade please contact the Islamic Studies Student Affairs office at info.islamics [at] mcgill.ca.

AFRI 499
Arts Internship: African Studies

The AFRI 499 African Studies Intership is an optional complimentary course within the African Studies Major Concentration and Minor Concentration programs.

AFRI 499. Arts Internships: African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Internship with an approved host institution or organization.
  • Note: U2 and U3 students in good standing, normally after completing 30 credits of a 90-credit program or 45 credits of a 96-120 credit program, a minimum CGPA of 2.7, and permission from the departmental Internship Adviser. This course will normally not fulfill program requirements for seminar or 400-level courses.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Students who have attained an Internship through the Internships Office are eligible to take the AFRI 499 Internship course.

The following form must be submitted to the Islamic Studies office for approval:

PDF icon AFRI 499 Application Form

Eligibility Requirements

The Arts Internship is only open to U2 and U3 students in good standing, normally after completing 30 credits of a 90 credit program or 45 credits of a 96 to 120 credit program. A minimum CGPA of 2.7 and permission from the departmental Internship Adviser are required. This course will normally not fulfill program requirements for seminar or 400-level courses.

Purpose

The Arts Internship course will provide a vehicle for allowing students who pursue approved internships to gain up to 3 credits towards their degrees. With a university grant, the Faculty of Arts has helped develop departmental data bases listing internship opportunities to be made available on departmental websites, has encouraged the forging of specific internship agreements, and is pursuing fund raising to help finance student internships. Students from each department will be directed to approved internships or will bring other internship opportunities to departmental advisers for approval.

Arts Internships allow students in the Faculty of Arts to gain experience in areas relevant to their fields of study. Arts internships involve a minimum of 150 hours of work in a host institution approved by the student's home department or program.

Work to be Completed

Students must submit the following documentation:

1. Summary of internship activities with a description of the host institution (maximum 5 pages).

2. A letter from the supervisor at the institution attesting to successful completion of the student's tenure.

3. A major topical paper that discusses an aspect of the internship from an academic perspective (maximum 20 pages).

Approval Procedure

The Arts Internship requires approval by the AFRI Program Director. The completed Internship Form must be submitted before the beginning of the internship to the ISID office. The ISID Office will keep a record of approved projects but will leave the responsibility for follow-up and completion with the student and the supervisor. Any changes to topic and/or supervisor must be communicated to a AFRI Program Adviser. Please note that students usually register for AFRI 499, , the term following completion of the internship.

Human Subject Research

Course-based research projects that require students to conduct human subject research must receive ethics review and approval. These projects differ from research in that the intent is for the student to become more knowledgeable about the research process, rather than to contribute to generalizable knowledge. The results of the data are not intended for publication or presentation outside the classroom. The review of these applications may be delegated to the Research Ethics Board (REB) departmental representative and do not normally have to go to the regular REB. This review may not be used for projects carried out as part of a faculty member’s own research. Course projects that involve more than minimal risk, or involve minors or other vulnerable populations, must be reviewed by the REB.

To view the "Policy on the Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Human Subjects" and to complete the necessary paperwork please visit the Research Ethics Board Website.

Please note, no research project, including student research may begin before approval has been obtained from the REB. No research project will be granted retroactive approval.

Approval Procedure

The deadline for submission of term work (i.e., the final paper is submitted to your supervisor for evaluation) is the last day of classes of the term in which you are registered for the course. This is a Faculty of Arts regulation.

Grades are due one week after end of classes and will be submitted by the project supervisor on Minerva. If there are any problems regarding the grade submission, please contact the Islamic Studies office at info.islamics [at] mcgill.ca.

AFRI 598

Research Seminar in African Studies

AFRI 598 is a required course for the AFRI Major Concentration and Minor Concentration programs.

AFRI 598. Research Seminar in African Studies.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Terms offered: Winter 2027
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

An interdisciplinary research seminar on topics of common interest to staff and students of the African Studies Program. As part of their contribution, students will prepare a research paper under the supervision of one or more members of staff.
  • Prerequisite: an introductory course in any of the disciplines studying Africa
  • Restriction: Open to final year Program students, and to others by permission of Program Adviser

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

An interdisciplinary research seminar on topics of common interest to staff and students of the African Studies Program. As part of their contribution, students will prepare a research paper under the supervision of one or more members of staff.

Course outlines:

PDF icon AFRI 598 Winter 2024

PDF icon AFRI 598 Winter 2022

PDF icon AFRI 598 Research Seminar in African Studies Winter 2021

PDF icon AFRI 598 Africa and its Diaspora Winter 2020

PDF icon AFRI 598 Winter 2019

PDF icon AFRI 598 Contested Conceptions and Realities of Africa's Past, Present and Future Winter 2018

PDF icon AFRI 598 Winter 2015

PDF icon AFRI 598 Politics and Power Winter 2013

PDF icon AFRI 598 Images of Africa Winter 2012

People

Program Committee

Program Chair


Associate Professor (Department of Political Science and Institute of Islamic Studies)
PhD (University of California, Berkeley)

Program Committee

Sara Abdel-Latif
Assistant Professor (Institute of Islamic Studies)
PhD (Toronto)

Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey
Associate Professor (Department of History and Classical Studies)
PhD (Yale)

Gwyn Campbell
Professor (Department of History and Classical Studies)
PhD (Wales)

Mbaye Diouf
Assistant Professor (Département des littératures de langue française, de traduction et de création)
PhD (Laval)

Professor Elizabeth Elbourne
Associate Professor (History and Classical Studies)
PhD (Oxford)

Pedro Monaville
Associate Professor (Department of History and Classical Studies)
PhD (Michigan)

R. Nanre Nafziger
Assistant Professor (Faculty of Education)
PhD (Pennsylvania State)

Ayodeji Ogunnaike
Assistant Professor (School of Religious Studies)
PhD (Harvard)

Isabel Pike
Assistant Professor (Department of Sociology)
PhD (Wisconsin - Madison)

Professor Jon Unruh
Professor (Department of Geography)
PhD (Arizona)

Student Affairs Coordinator

Student Affairs Coordinator
Morrice Hall 323
(514)-398-4027
info.islamics [at] mcgill.ca

Liaison Librarian

Anaïs Salamon

Liaison Librarian for African Studies
Head, Islamic Studies Library
Morrice Hall, #109
+1-514-398-4688
Email: anais.salamon [at] mcgill.ca

Student Associations

The African Studies Student's Association (ASSA) of Թ represents the students of the African Studies Program. ASSA has three primary goals:

  1. To support and represent the students to the African Studies Program by voicing concerns with the program and posing suggestions for improvement.
  2. To provide social networking on campus for African Studies students and any others interested in African affairs.
  3. To engage the campus in insightful and interactive discussions on African affairs by organizing events in the form of: panel discussions, conferences, movie screenings and more!

Please assa.mcgill [at] gmail.com (email us) and visit our for more information.

Թ African Students Society (MASS)

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