Pan-African Studies

Major

Due to University Updates, Course Numbers for all Departments have Changed. Please reference the Courses Tab for new Course Numbers.

Requirements for the Major (40 Credits)

All majors are required to take at least one course that focuses on Africa and one that focuses on the African-American experience. A minimum of 16 credits of work toward the major must be completed at Drew. The courses for the major are to be distributed among required and elective courses in the following manner

I. Required Interdisciplinary Core Courses (12 Credits)

• PANAF 10/Introduction to Pan-African Studies (4)
• PANAF 80/Experiential Learning Seminar in Pan-African Studies (2-4) or an internship INTR 50/ (2-4)
• PANAF 180/Pan-African Studies Seminar (4)

II. Elective Courses (28 Credits)

At least seven additional courses (28 credits), three of which must be upper-level (not including PANAF 180), chosen from the following list of departmental and interdisciplinary courses and foreign studies programs. At least two courses must be from different departments in the social sciences and at least two of the courses must be from different departments in the humanities and arts.

A. Social Sciences

• ANTH 4/Cultural Diversity (when topic appropriate) (4)
• ANTH 51/Arts of Africa and the Diaspora (4)
• ANTH 55/PANAF 11/Peoples of Africa (4)
• ANTH 16/Folklore (with appropriate content) (4)
• ANTH 119/Religions of Africa (4)
• ANTH 135/Selected Topics in Cultural Anthropology (when topic appropriate) (4)
• ECON 40/Economics of the Third World (4)
• ECON 62/Poverty and Policy (4)
• ECON 136/Political Economy of Race, Class and Gender (4)
• PSYC 113/Principles and Methods of Social Psychology (4)
• PSCI 196/Constitutional Law and Civil Rights (4)
• PSCI 198/Race and Politics (4)
• PSCI 199/Africa in International Politics (4)
• SOC 19/Sociology of Inequality (4)
• SOC 26/Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (4)
• SOC 106/Urban Sociology (4)

B. Humanities & Arts

• ENG 34/Topics in American Ethnic, Immigrant or Regional Literature (when topic appropriate) (4)
• ENG 35/African-American Literature (4)
• ENG 132/Women’s Literary Tradition (when topic appropriate) (4)
• ENG 134/Advanced Studies in American Ethnic Literatures (when topic is appropriate) (4)
• FREN 120/Class, Ethnicity and Culture (4)
• FREN 121/North African Francophone Literature (4)
• FREN 122/North African Francophone Literature (4)
• FREN 123/Modern West African Literature (4)
• FREN 124/Modern West African Literature (4)
• FREN 125/166/French Caribbean Literature (4)
• FREN/126 French Caribbean Literature (4)
• FREN 173/174/African Francophone Literature (4)
• HIST 15/From Slavery to Freedom: African-American History from African Origins to 1877 (4)
• HIST 16/The Struggle for Equality: African-American History from 1860 to the Present (4)
• HIST 61/Modern Sub-Saharan Africa (4)
• HIST 102/Colonial America (4)
• HIST 105/The American Civil War (4)
• HIST 115/African-American Intellectual and Social History (4)
• HIST 190/History of Inequality (4)
• HUM 17/Africa, America , and African-Americans (4)
• MUS 33/Music of the Whole Earth (4)
• MUS 34/American Popular Music & All That Jazz (4)
• REL 36/Introduction to Islam (4)
• REL 48/Religion and Society in Modern Egypt (4)
• REL 142/The Black Church in America (4)
• REL 143/PANAF 119/Religions of Africa (4)
• SPAN 149/Hispanic Cultures in the United States (4)
• SPAN 156/Ethnicity, Class, and Gender in Hispanic American Society (4)

C. Additional General Electives

• PANAF 20/Pan-African Choral Performance
• PANAF 111/The Literature and Cultures of Africa (4)
• PANAF 170/Selected Topics in Pan-African Studies (2-4)
• PANAF 190/Independent Study in Pan-African Studies (2-4)
• WMST 52/Global Feminisms (4)

D. Study Abroad Programs (Electives)

• PANAF 15/Drew International Seminars (with appropriate content and location) (4)

Drew in West Africa: Mali

• ANTH 152/Introduction to the Cultures of Mali (4)
• ART 115/Traditions and Techniques of West African Arts (4)
• ARTHST 116/History of African Art and Architecture: Mali (4)

Semester in Ghana

• PANAF 160/Life, Culture and Language of Eritrea/Ghana (4)
• PANAF 161/Gender and Development (4)
• PANAF 162/Selected Topics in Nation Building (4)
• PANAF 163/Independent Research/Internship (4)

E. Honors Thesis (4-8 credits). Recommended for students planning to pursue graduate studies.

Students should consult the list published each semester by the Pan-African Studies program for additional courses. Other courses may be applied to the major if they are proposed to and approved by the Pan-African Studies Committee.

Minor

Due to University Updates, Course Numbers for all Departments have Changed. Please reference the Courses Tab for new Course Numbers.

Requirements for the Minor (20 Credits)

I. Required (8 Credits)

• PANAF 10/Introduction to Pan-African Studies (4)

At least one additional Pan-African Studies course chosen from the following list:

• PANAF 80/Experiential Learning Seminar in Pan-African Studies (2-4)
• PANAF 170/Selected Topics in Pan-African studies (2-4)
• PANAF 180/Experiential Learning Seminar in Pan-African Studies (2-4)
• PANAF 190/Independent Study in Pan-African studies (2-4)

II. Electives (12 credits)

At least twelve credits in intermediate- or upper-level courses from among Pan-African Studies, departmental and interdisciplinary courses.

Faculty

Faculty

• Director: Lillie Johnson Edwards, Professor of History
• Associate Professor: E. Obiri Addo (adjunct)

Courses

Courses Offered

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PAST 101 - Formerly PANAF 10 - Introduction to Pan-African Studies (4)

A broad, cross-disciplinary introduction to the study of Africa and the African diaspora. Explores the various historic and contemporary approaches, arguments, and theories on the study of Africans and people of the African diaspora within several disciplines, including anthropology, economics, literature, history, music, religion, sociology, art, and political science. Seeks to encourage students to think critically about a variety of issues related to the lives of Africans and people of the African diaspora.
Enrollment priority: given to Pan-African studies majors and minors. Offered fall semester.
Fulfills: BI, DIT

PAST 155 - Formerly PANAF 11 - Peoples of Africa: Cultures and Civilizations (4)

An introduction to the contemporary and historic cultures, art, music, and literature of the peoples of Africa. Explores the evolution of great empires and themes such as community, cohesion, collision, and the impact of outside forces. Examines social and political systems, as well as individual life experiences of specific African peoples.
Same as . Offered in alternate years.

PAST 220 - Formerly PANAF 20 - Pan-African Choral Performance (2)

Study and performance of representative choral music from the Pan-African music traditions of Africa, the Caribbean and the United States. Students will study and perform several genres that may include traditional and contemporary spirituals, hymns and gospel; work songs; blues; jazz; rhythm and blues; freedom and liberation songs; and classical arrangements. Students with skills in playing instruments are given the opportunity to participate as soloists and as accompanists.
The course is open for credit or non-credit to all students, faculty and staff without audition. Students seeking credit for this course must register each semester in which they seek credit. May be repeated for up to four credits for PAST - Formerly PANAF or music major. The instructor may require auditions for soloists and touring ensembles.
Fulfills: BA

PAST 201 - Formerly PANAF 80 - Experiential Learning Seminar in Pan African Studies (2-4)

A study of issues, problems, and ideas in Africa or the African diaspora. An experimental learning approach will expose students to people and activities outside of the classroom and off campus; these experiences might include, but would not be limited to, presentations by outside speakers and field trips.
This seminar was endowed by a gift from William Freeman C'74 and his wife Ellen. Course may be repeated. Enrollment priority: Given to Pan African Studies Majors and Minors. Recommended: PAST - Formerly PANAF 10 Offered spring semester.

PAST 208 - Formerly PANAF 119 - Religions of Africa (4)

An introduction to the basic themes within the traditional religions of Africa, including the nature of God, the significance of creation myths, the role of ancestors, the importance of religious leaders, and the problem of evil, sickness, and death. Explores the problematic Christian encounter with African religions, the Semitic connection and African Islam, and the role and function of the Independent African-Christian Churches.
Same as: ANTH 208 - Formerly 119 - and REL 208 - Formerly 143 - . Offered Annually.
Fulfills: BI, DIT, WI

PAST 305 - Formerly PANAF 170 - Selected Topics Pan African Studies (4)

An examination of one or more selected topics in Pan-African studies not covered in the regular course offerings. Topics vary in accordance with student interests and faculty expertise.
May be repeated for credit as topic changes. Offered every semester.

PAST 400 - Formerly PANAF 180 - Pan African Studies Seminar (4)

Using the classroom as a forum for the discussion of methods, theories, arguments, and data on Pan African topics, students produce a major research paper. The course seeks to facilitate learning among students through research and discussion. Faculty representing the several disciplines within the Pan African studies program and guest lecturers participate in class discussions.
Prerequisite: PAST 101 - Formerly PANAF 10 - and four additional courses satisfying the Pan African Studies Major or minor. Offered spring semester.
Fulfills: WM

PAST 300 - Formerly PANAF 190 - Independent Study in Pan African Studies (1-4)

A special program of study planned by the student, as approved by a faculty sponsor.
Course may be repeated. Written proposal. Offered every semester.

Off Campus Programs

PAST 380 - Formerly PANAF 160 - Life, Culture and Languages of Eritrea/Ghana

An interdisciplinary seminar that explores the history of Eritrea or Ghana with attention to how that history affects the nation's contemporary politics, society, economy, culture, arts, and languages. As part of this course, students will be taught the basics of a local language with an emphasis on oral and reading skills.

PAST 381 - Formerly PANAF 161 - Gender and Development (4)

This course focuses on the complex role gender plays in Eritrea or Ghana's struggle for social and economic development. Using the theoretical frameworks that have developed on the topic in the past 30 years, this course will look at the role of women and gender in the host country's development project. Feminist critiques of development theory and institutions will be used to examine the social, political and economic aspects of development in the host country. This course will pay attention to women as clients of, and policy makers in, the development system.
Same as:

PAST 382 - Formerly PANAF 162 - Selected Topics in Nation Building (4)

Given the broad nature of the program theme, the focus of this course will vary to meet the interests of students and the expertise of faculty. Any chosen topic will focus on how the particular issue under study has played out in the host country. Possible topics could include: Healthcare and the Politics of Development; Development and the Environment; Women in African Politics; Creating Civil Society; Negotiating Transitions to Political Independence; Women, War and Armed Insurrection; Agriculture and Rural Development; Africa and the World: Ignorant, Ambivalent, Responsible?
Same as:

PAST 383 - Formerly PANAF 163 - Independent Research/ Internship (4)

Students will design an independent research proposal to explore a topic of interest related to the program theme. When appropriate and beneficial for all involved parties, a student's research project could be developed in conjunction with a local organization working on the topic the student is interested in. In order to assist the students in developing a research proposal, the Program Director will assign readings and spend time discussing methods of field research, including how to gather, organize and analyze the information they find.
Same as: Same as:

See appropriate departments for the following courses

ENGL 371 - Formerly 171 - Studies in Poetry: Seminar (4)

A study of selected major works of poetry or a school of poetry. For example, Caribbean poetry, New York School poets, or modern American poetry.
Course may be repeated. Open to a maximum of 15 juniors and seniors. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: a/b and 21 a/b and at least one Approaches course. Offered Annually.