African/African Diaspora Studies ProgramAcademics
About the Department
Pan-African Perspectives
For thousands of years, African people and their descendants have made significant, impactful contributions to cultures worldwide. Presently, the African continent is a growing epicenter for innovation and commerce. Additionally, there is a large diaspora (people living outside of their homeland) of African and people of African descendant contributing all over the world. The Gustavus African/African Diaspora Studies program explores the entire African experience on the continent and beyond.
In our global economy and highly connected world, an African Studies minor is a strong complement to other majors and can be beneficial to many career paths such as law, public health, psychology, education, human services, and business. Graduates find employment in government, international development agencies, counseling, foreign service, and the Peace Corps, among others.
Making Local and Global Connections
As an African/African Diaspora Studies student at Gustavus Adolphus, you can build relationships with other students and faculty, including many from Africa. Located in Saint Peter, MN, the beautiful Gustavus campus is an inclusive, supportive, and transformative community with proximity to big-city opportunities and cultural activities. You're minutes away from the medium-sized city of Mankato and an hour from the dynamic Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Discover your path:
Majors, Minors, and Related Programs
As an African Studies and African Diaspora minor, your study will focus on the wealth and diversity of cultures and experiences of African peoples and nations. The courses offered come from areas such as geography, literature, history, music, and politics. For example: “Introduction to Africa” provides students with insights into the diverse dimensions of the African continent and its peoples; “African American Film” traces the history of African American representation through film and explores the social, political, and economic contributions of African Americans to film; and in “World Literature: Black Worlds” students read contemporary graphic novels, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, always with questions of race and Blackness in mind.
The minor is highly customizable, as you choose all classes besides the required introductory course. Your faculty advisor can help you ensure courses from a study-away semester count for the minor.
Related Programs
Immerse Yourself Through Study Away
Learn more about yourself and the world by studying away. Picture yourself observing the influence of African culture in the Caribbean, the melting pot of cultures in Morocco, ecology in the mountains of Tanzania, Rwanda's post-genocide transformation and reconciliation efforts, South Africa's complex history of apartheid and its subsequent transition to democracy, or the vibrant arts of Senegal. Directly engage with local communities, learn from local scholars, and experience the everyday life and cultural practices of the African and African diaspora populations.
Opportunities in African/African Diaspora Studies
Opportunities for Experiential Learning
As an African Studies and Diaspora minor, learning branches out far from the classroom. Throughout the year, the program hosts conversations with guest speakers and performers from across the globe. The Gustavus Pan African Student Organization (PASO) promotes cultures of the African continents and diaspora. Explore the following opportunities to engage with African/African Diaspora Studies across campus and around the world.
Explore Opportunities in African Studies
- Pan African Student Organization (PASO) — PASO serves as an important hub for cultural engagement, awareness, and celebration of African cultures and the African diaspora at Gustavus.
- Events — Gustavus hosts visiting speakers, artists, writers, and performers throughout the year, highlighting a variety of viewpoints.
- Research and Internships — Research, internships, and fieldwork enhance your academic learning and help you gain practical skills for your career.
- Professional Organizations and Conferences — The African Studies Association and the African Literature Association are professional organizations that help you hone skills and connections.
- Study Away — Studying away in African countries or communities with significant African diaspora populations can be a transformative experience.
Gusties
will
Shine
African/African Diaspora Studies students and faculty are inclusive, energetic, and globally minded. Learn more about their incredible contributions to their disciplines and communities.
Allison Held ’25
African/African Diaspora Minor
“As a future elementary teacher, I feel as though I have a comprehensive understanding of how to teach bottom-up American history to my students with special consideration of how the voices so often left out of the narrative don’t just fill in the gaps but actually tell a much more comprehensive and compelling story altogether.” […]
Keep in Touch with the African/African Diaspora Studies Program
The African Studies/African Diaspora Studies minor is an outstanding complement to a wide variety of majors, providing a well-rounded understanding of the African and African diaspora populations from multiple perspectives. At Gustavus, you get a high-caliber academic experience with plenty of ways to engage outside the classroom as a leader in a student organization, competitor in athletics, or performer in the fine arts. Find your path at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Contact African/African Diaspora Studies
Email: afs-dept@gustavus.eduPhone: 507-933-7413
Beck Academic Hall, 252
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082