May 24, 2025  
2025-2026 Western Washington University Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Western Washington University Catalog

African Studies Minor


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Introduction

The world’s second largest and second most populous continent and home to fifty-four sovereign states, Africa is one of the most diverse and complex regions on the globe. The minor in African Studies is designed to provide students a broad understanding of the African continent, past and present, through disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Students take two core introductory courses (from HUMA 276, HIST 285, HIST 286) as well as elective courses drawn from a wide range of academic disciplines that focus on Africa and its histories, societies, cultures, religious traditions, political and economic realities, artistic and creative expressions, as well as issues relating to conflict, the environment, health and development in Africa in the context of a globalizing world. For advising or more information regarding the minor, contact the Program Advisor (Prof. Jonathan Miran) or the Global Humanities and Religions Department Office.

Student Resources

Department Website: Global Humanities and Religions

Contact information:

  • Minor Advisor: Jonathan Miran, Bond Hall 166, 360-650-4867, miranj@wwu.edu
  • Academic Department Manager: Maureen Christman, Bond Hall 152, 360-650-3030, chris41@wwu.edu

Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.

Career Services Center: Connect major to a career

Sample Careers: Attorney, Teacher, Professor, Librarian, Writer, Business Administrator, Historian, Non-Profit Organization Administrator, Congressional Aide, Research Assistant, Editor, Lobbyist

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

There are no prerequisites for declaring the minor. In Global Humanities and Religions, faculty advise all major and minor programs and students declare with faculty advisement. To declare, students should contact Program Advisor Prof. Jonathan Miran to initiate a declaration form. Students are encouraged to meet with the advisor as early as possible in order to have the most up-to-date information about course offerings and options for electives under advisement. The department also posts a list of all offered electives for that academic year.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements (26 credits)


Required Courses (10 credits)


❑ Select two introductory courses from:

Elective Courses (16 credits)


❑ Select at least 16 additional credits of electives, either from the list below or other electives under advisement. The elective courses must be taken in at least three different departments or interdisciplinary programs. Only one course at the 200 level can be counted in this category.

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