MA in Global African Studies

The program requires a total of 36 credit hours for completion. To be recommended for graduation with an MA in Global African Studies, students must satisfactorily complete formal courses in the following categories: 6 credit hours of Common Core required courses, 18 credit hours of Specialization Core courses from their chosen track, and 6 credit hours of Electives, selected in consultation with their advisor.

The curriculum also requires students to achieve a ‘Pass’ grade in elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels of the language courses, as well as in the internship program. Additionally, students must complete 6 credit hours of thesis research, submit a written thesis evaluated by an examination committee, and successfully defend their thesis in a viva format.

The major components of the MA in Global African Studies program are summarized in the table below:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this program the graduate will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of key historical and theoretical foundations, while critically engaging with the most pressing and current debates in Global African Studies.
• Demonstrate proficiency in interdisciplinary research principles, approaches, and methods, with the ability to generate new, interconnected insights in African and African diaspora studies.
• Critically evaluate intellectual and artistic productions and representations of Africa and its diaspora, moving beyond dominant area studies models.

Skills

On successful completion of this program the graduate will be able to:

• Develop advanced critical thinking and interdisciplinary research skills by analyzing and synthesizing complex cultural, historical, and political issues of Africa and its multifaceted connections with the world.
• Communicate research findings, whether one’s own or others’, effectively to academic colleagues, peers, and the general public, through both spoken and written means, in-person or digitally.

Competence

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

a. Autonomy and Responsibility

Function autonomously and take responsibility for designing and managing interdisciplinary research projects.

b. Self-development

Self-evaluate and take responsibility for critically assessing their own research work as well as that of others.

c. Role in Context

Collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse disciplinary and cultural backgrounds, while demonstrating leadership and effective communication in complex settings.

The Africa Institute (GSU) has developed a set of foundational courses and common experiences. All MA students are required to take the following courses:

• GAS 601: Theory and Method I (3 credits)

This compulsory seminar is the first of a two-semester program that highlights the study of Africa and its diaspora through diverse academic disciplines. The course is intended to introduce graduate students to the structures and institutions and to the social, political, cultural, and artistic formations that constitute the dynamic worlds of Africa and its diasporas, past and present. The course also introduces students to theories that engage social relations and social change, the economy, the inequalities of culture, and knowledge production. While the course proceeds from Africa and its encounters, its orientation is global.

Topics include themes drawn from the humanities and the social sciences and will be taught by a rotating faculty or guest speaker who will share their unique disciplinary perspective and methodological approach to studying Africa and its diaspora. The course will explore the relationship between theory and methods in addition to introducing students to the mixed-method approach to research. There is a long tradition of debate in the history and philosophy of the social sciences and humanities about the relationship between theory and methods, between explanation and interpretation, and over the techniques used to generate conceptually informed observations. These controversies have influenced and shaped the way that research is designed and which particular analytical strategies are adopted. The course will therefore afford students a wide exposure to the works and research programs of different scholars working within the field of African studies and with scholars in critical theory of the social sciences and the humanities.

• GAS 602: Theory and Method II (3 credits)

This course is a continuation of Theory and Method I. This compulsory seminar is the second of a two-semester program that highlights the study of Africa and its diaspora through diverse academic disciplines. The course is intended to introduce graduate students to the structures and institutions and to the social, political, cultural, and artistic formations that constitute the dynamic worlds of Africa and its diaspora, past and present. The course also introduces students to theories that engage social relations and social change, the economy, the inequalities of culture, and knowledge production. While the course proceeds from Africa and its encounters, its orientation is global.

Topics include themes drawn from the humanities and the social sciences and will be taught by a rotating faculty or guest speaker who will share their unique disciplinary perspective and methodological approach to studying Africa and its diaspora. The course will explore the relationship between theory and methods in addition to introducing students to the mixed-method approach to research. There is a long tradition of debate in the history and philosophy of the social sciences and humanities about the relationship between theory and methods, between explanation and interpretation, and over the techniques used to generate conceptually informed observations. These controversies have influenced and shaped the way that research is designed and which particular analytical strategies are adopted. The course will therefore afford students a wide exposure to the works and research programs of different scholars working within the specified field and with scholars in critical theory of the social sciences and the humanities.

In addition to the Common Core courses, graduate students of the program are required to take 6 courses (18 credit hours) of Specialization Core courses that are dedicated to each concentration/program area. The list of Specialization Core courses for each concentration/program area are:

1. Museum and Critical Heritage Studies

Program Description

Museum and Critical Heritage Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the contemporary theory and practice of museum and heritage studies. It provides practical training across a broad range of institutions and organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, both in Africa, the Arab world, and internationally.

Leveraging the strategic location in Sharjah—one of the cultural centers of the Gulf and home to thriving cultural institutions—the program’s curriculum focuses on various aspects of museum history and theory, histories and politics of exhibition practice, collection management, museum management, and heritage management. It also covers conservation, preservation, and heritage policy, professional practice and organizations.

The program emphasizes a transdisciplinary approach, engaging with scholars, community leaders, artists, activists, legislators, museums, heritage managers, NGOs, and international organizations (e.g., UNESCO, World Bank), as well as governments.

Specialization Core Courses (18 Credit Hours)

*Each of the following courses is worth 3 credits:

Afro-Arab Relations

Program Description

The courses in this program area offer a critical assessment of the historical socio-cultural relations between Africa and the Arab world. It addresses their diverse historical connections and overlapping histories of solidarity and cooperation, such as the common struggles against colonialism and the emancipatory philosophies and movements that Africa and the Arab world shared. Departing from the disciplinary methods of political science that divide African studies, which evolved from the legacies of European colonialism, and Middle Eastern studies, which grew out of European Orientalism, the program area explores the entangled association of Africa and the Arab world through the interdisciplinary engagement of diverse courses that cover a wide range of themes, such as shared non-state ideologies, the interconnectedness of cultural dynamics, and the international and regional transformations in the twentieth century, among others.

Specialization Core Courses (18 Credit Hours)

*Each of the following courses is worth 3 credits:

Diplomacy and Africa’s International Relations

Program Description

This program provides in-depth knowledge of Africa’s historical significance, global role, and international interactions. It places a special emphasis on Africa’s connections with the Middle East and its position within the broader Indian Ocean world. The program explores themes such as economic structures, political governance, migration history, and the evolution of African diplomatic relations, highlighting the importance of understanding Africa’s global engagement.

By examining historical contexts, contemporary challenges, and emerging trends, students will gain a comprehensive view of Africa’s role in the evolving global landscape. The program aims to dissemble narratives that suggest an absence of the African voice in international relations, offering an opportunity to develop a critical and nuanced understanding of the ideas, debates, and theories shaping the study of Africa’s international relations. Topics of interest include the intellectual currents influencing historic positions on global matters such as Pan-Africanism and Pan-Arabism.

Specialization Core Courses (18 Credit Hours)

*Each of the following courses is worth 3 credits:

Beyond the Common and Specialization Cores, MA students take at least two elective courses (6 credit hours) from the list below or, as relevant, from the courses listed in the Specialization Common Cores of the other two areas, as approved by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).

*Each of the following courses is worth 6 credits:

To ensure coherence and a clear academic path forward, all Elective Courses must be chosen in consultation with the advisor and approved by the DGS. Efforts must be made to ensure coherence and a clear plan to justify every course selected so that each curricular step builds toward an integrated whole.

Students are required to select and complete one of the four African language courses, each of which comprises elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels spanning three semesters, and are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.

Amharic

• AMH 100: Amharic Elementary Level
• AMH 200: Amharic Intermediate Level
• AMH 300: Amharic Advanced Level

Arabic

• ARL 100: Arabic Elementary Level
• ARL 200: Arabic Intermediate Level
• ARL 300: Arabic Advanced Level

Hausa

• HAU 100: Hausa Elementary Level
• HAU 200: Hausa Intermediate Level
• HAU 300: Hausa Advanced Level

Kiswahili

• KSW 100: Kiswahili Elementary Level
• KSW 200: Kiswahili Intermediate Level
• KSW 300: Kiswahili Advanced Level

The admission requirements for the Master’s program emphasize academic qualifications, CGPA, and English language proficiency. The key criteria are as follows:

• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0, or equivalent from an independently accredited university.
• The university should be recognized by both the UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division and the institution you are applying to.
• Applicants must submit official transcripts and graduation certificates for their bachelor’s degree, both attested by the UAE Ministry of Education.
• If the bachelor’s degree was obtained outside the UAE, applicants must submit an equivalency certificate of their degree from the UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division. This is to ensure that the foreign degree is recognized within the UAE. Please refer to the details on how to apply for this certificate, which can be found on the Ministry of Education website under “Certificate Equivalency Information” and “Required Documents for Equivalency.”
• Admission interviews will be conducted in person or online via the Zoom application for shortlisted students. Once the applicant meets the standards for admission to the graduate program, they will be interviewed by the student recruitment committee, which is composed of faculty and academic affairs staff, taking into consideration faculty specialization in areas related to the prospective student’s academic interests.
• Application fee AED 365 (non-refundable)

Students who have been dismissed from other academic institutions for academic integrity violations, as noted on their official transcripts, will not be accepted at GSU.

Admission offers are only valid for one academic year. If a student does not enroll within that time frame, they must reapply. Applications with missing documents after the deadline will receive rejection letters, but students may reapply once they have submitted all required documents.

• Valid passport copy
• Emirates ID and visa (if applicable)
• One passport-sized photo with a white background
• Valid English proficiency score: IELTS 6.5 or IBT TOEFL 91
• CV/Resume
• Recommendation letters (two referees)
• Statement of Interest: A personal statement of 1,000 to 1,500 words is required and should encompass two key sections:
• Section I: Focuses on the applicant, detailing their personal journey, motivations, and aspirations. This includes:
  • An introduction that showcases the applicant’s background and interests.
  • The motivation behind pursuing a graduate program in their area of interest.
  • A highlight of accomplishments and skills that demonstrate their suitability for the program. This can include volunteer work, professional experiences, and personal or academic achievements, articulating how these experiences align with the field of intercultural communication.
• Section II: Focuses on the applicant’s research interests and their reasons for choosing one of the three tracks/topics within the program. This includes:
  • A detailed explanation of specific research interests within the field of Global African Studies.
  • The reasons for interest in this area.
  • An overview of how past academic and professional experiences (if applicable) have prepared the applicant to pursue research in this field.
  • A discussion of the potential impact the applicant hopes to achieve through their research and how it aligns with future career objectives.
  • A brief proposal outlining the research projects intended to be pursued during studies in the program.

Applicants need to demonstrate proficiency in English through one of the standardized tests: a valid English proficiency level of an IELTS score of 6.5 or an iBT TOEFL (internet-based test) score of 91.

Subject to review and approval, the English test score requirement may be waived for an applicant who is:

• A native English speaker who has completed their bachelor’s/master’s qualification in an English-medium institution.
• A graduate from an English-medium institution who can provide evidence of acquiring a minimum overall academic IELTS score of 6.5 or a minimum TOEFL score of 91 iBT (or equivalent) at the time of admission to the completed bachelor’s/master’s degree program.
• Even if an applicant is eligible for an exemption, they must provide proof of fulfilling the English language requirements by uploading the relevant document with their application.

Meeting the specified English language proficiency requirement ensures that applicants have the language skills necessary to succeed in an English-language academic environment. Applicants should carefully review the specific requirements of the master’s program to which they are applying, as they can vary by program. Ensuring that all documents and qualifications meet the specifications is crucial for a successful application.

It’s crucial to adhere to the below deadlines when preparing and submitting your application. Missing the deadlines may affect your eligibility for financial aid and admission. Make sure to review the specific requirements and deadlines for the program you are interested in, as they may vary by program.

Admissions for Spring Semester 2025
Application deadline: November 11, 2024

First day of Classes
January 20, 2025

Add & Drop
January 20 – 23, 2025