Master of Arts in African Studies

Ghent University’s Master in African Studies is the only Master’s programme of its kind in Belgium, and has a unique academic focus on the African continent. The programme starts from a truly interdisciplinary perspective as its course units take an in-depth perspective on Africa’s peoples, cultures, literatures and languages, with an emphasis on Central and Eastern Africa.

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Master's Programme

1 year 60 credits

Faculty of Arts and Philosophy

English

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1 General Courses 15

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Language, History and Identity in Central and Eastern Africa	1	sem 1	en	Koen Bostoen	5

Literature, Media and the Arts in Central and Eastern Africa	1	sem 1	en	Olorunshola Adenekan	5

Conflict and Society in Central and Eastern Africa	1	sem 1	en	Peer Schouten	5

2 Elective Courses 30

2.1 Limited Choice

20

Subscribe to 20 credit units from the following list.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Anthropology of Affect and Materiality	1	sem 2	en	Koenraad Stroeken	5

Anthropology of the Body and Performance in Africa	1				5

Poverty, Development and Inequality in Modern African History	1	sem 1	en	Felicitas Maria Becker	5

History and Theory of African Urbanism and Architecture	1	sem 2	en	Johan Lagae	5

Bantu Corpus Linguistics and Lexicography	1	sem 1	en	Gilles-Maurice de Schryver	5

Comparative Bantu Grammar	1	sem 2	en	Sebastian Dom	5

Gender and Identity in African Literatures	1	sem 2	en	Inge Brinkman	5

Postcolonial Literature in English	1			Elisabeth Bekers	5

African Archaeology	1	sem 1	en	Peter Coutros	5

2.2 Free Choice

10

Subscribe to 10 credit units

Students can choose 10 credits, either from the Africa-specific courses in 2.1, or from UGent's course offer (including the Ghent University Elective Courses), such as the courses Swahili, Lingála and Afrikaans, and Research Seminar: History of Africa.

3 Master's Dissertation 15

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation		1	year	en	Gilles-Maurice de Schryver	15

Learning outcomes

To critically analyze the interaction between language, culture and society in Africa and the diaspora.

To critically analyze cultural manifestations of contemporary African societies and the African diaspora.

To have advanced insight into the structures, diversity, history and ideologies of African languages.

To thoroughly analyze and contextualize the literatures of Africa and the diaspora.

To critically reflect on historiographical theories and schools in Africa, and on the recent debates on this topic.

To critically reflect on the theory and practice of antropology in general, and in Africa in particular.

To critically analyze the establishment of theories on postcolonialism and globalization.

To incorporate literature and current debates in African studies and in related disciplines into one's own research questions and problem definitions, while maintaining a critical view.

To develop a creative attitude towards comparative methodologies and theories within African studies, including comparison with linguistics and/or social sciences outside Africa.

To formulate a specific research question, to define a problem in African studies and to incorporate this into a coherent research project.

To develop an awareness of the reflective character of the research process, an of its intercultural dimensions in particular.[

To develop the skills to report on the analysis and interpretation of one's own research in a scientifically correct way (in a report, thesis or article).

To reflect critically and independently on Africa and its diaspora, and on their representation.

To form a well-considered, balanced opinion on complex situations in Africa and its diaspora, while being aware of existing values.

To develop a reflective attitude characterized by curiosity, cultural sensitivity, and cultural relativism, and to display a commitment to lifelong learning.

To show the ability to interact with colleagues at a scientific level, both orally and in writing.

To conduct research in a team, in an interdisciplinary context, and to report on this research (e.g. in papers, reports, lectures).

To interact and cooperate in a team; depending on the context, the student assumes the role of inspirator, advisor or leader.

To be able to explain international structures and developments, social phenomena and the representation of Africa and its diaspora, assuming an advisory or a leading role.

To develop an awareness the dialectical relationship between the social context and science.

To incorporate ethical aspects, social responsibility and commmitment into African studies, in particular concerning intercultural and postcolonial issues, and problems involving North-South relations.