Admission & Financial Aid

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Regulations & Requirements

Regulations & Requirements

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Five College Programs & Certificates

Five College Programs & Certificates

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FIVE COLLEGE AFRICAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

FIVE COLLEGE AFRICAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Students interested in the Five College African Studies Certificate should contact one of the African Studies faculty on their campus and submit a Student Interest Form as soon as possible to begin planning course work.  In the senior year, students complete the Certificate Requirements Checklist Form in consultation with a program advisor on their campus, attaching an unofficial transcript acquired from the registrar.  On the recommendation of the campus advisor, certificate requirements are reviewed and approved by a committee composed of program advisors from each of the five campuses. 

Requirements:  Six courses, chosen from at least four different departments, programs, or disciplines: (Each course should carry at least three semester credits and its content should be at least 50% devoted to Africa per se)

     1. Historical Overview. Minimum of one course providing historical perspective on Africa. Not limited to courses offered in        History. (Normally the course should offer at least a regional perspective.);

     2. Social Science. Minimum of one course on Africa in the social sciences (i.e. Anthropology, Archeology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology);

     3. Arts and Humanities. Minimum of one course on Africa in the fine arts and humanities (i.e. Art, Folklore, History, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Religion).

Language Requirement: Proficiency through the level of the second year in college, in an indigenous or colonial language of Africa other than English. This requirement may be met by examination or course work; such language courses may not count towards the six courses required in Section A.

Further Stipulations:

     1. No more than three courses in any one department or program may count toward the six required in Section A.

     2. A certificate candidate may present courses taken in Africa, but normally at least three of the required courses must be taken in the Five Colleges.

     3. A candidate must earn a grade of B or better in every course for the certificate; none may be taken on a pass/fail basis.

     4. Unusual circumstances may warrant substituting certificate requirements; therefore a candidate through her/his African Studies Faculty Advisor may petition the Faculty Liaison Committee (the Five College committee of certificate program advisors) at least one full semester before graduation for adjustments in these requirements. A successful petition will satisfy the interdisciplinary character of the certificate program.

Recommended Actions:

    1. Students are encouraged to spend a semester or more in Africa. Study abroad opportunities currently available through the Five Colleges include University of Massachusetts programs at the American University in Cairo, Egypt; the University of Fort Hare, South Africa; Mount Holyoke College Program in Senegal at l'Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar; and independent programs approved by each college.

     2. Students are encouraged to complete their certificate program with an independent study project that integrates and focuses their course work in African studies.

Admission to these exchange programs is open to qualified students from all five colleges. Further information about these and other Africa programs is available at each college's study abroad office and at https//www.fivecolleges.edu/african  During 2016-17 the Amherst certificate program advisor is Professor Sean Redding of the History Department.

 

 

 

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