S.09-49
OF
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VICE-PRISl1)ENI, A:A1)I:\11(. AN1) I'IOVOSl
MEMO
ATTENTION:
Senate
FROM: ?
Jonathan Driver, Vice-President, Academic & Provost, and Chair,
SCUP
RE: ?
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: Full Prograj-roposa1
for
a
Certificate in African Studies in the Departrp2r1f of History and Political Science
(SC UPO9-11)
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March
18, 2009
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At its February 25, 2009 meeting
SOUP
revieed and approved the full program
proposal for a Certificate in African Studies the Department of History
and Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Motion
That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the proposal
for a Certificate in African Studies in the Department of
History
and Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
en c I.
c: J. Busumtwi-Sam
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SCUP 09-11
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OFFICE OF THE
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT ACADEMIC AND ASSOCIATE PROVOST
MEMO
Senate Committee On Universit
y
Priorities
FROM ?
Bill Krane, Chair ?
7
Senate Committee on Underaraduate Studies
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RE ?
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Political Science ISCUS 09-161
DATE ?
February 11. 2009 ?
-__________________________
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies at its
meeting of February
5,
2009 gives rise to the following recommendation:
. ?
Motion:
"that SCUP approve and recommend to Senate the full program
proposal for the Certificate in African Studies."
The relevant documentation for review by SCUP is attached.
SIMON FRASGI1 UNIVERSITY
?
THINKING OF THE WORLD
SCUS 09-16
.1
FACULTY OF
ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
MEMO
TO: ?
Jo Hinchliffe, Secretary
Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
FROM: Paul Budra, Chair
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Curriculum Committee
RE: ?
Certificate in African Studies (FPP)
DATE: January 26, 2009
On January 22, 2009, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Curriculum
Committee approved the full program proposal for the Certificate in African
Studies, as submitted by the Department of Political Science. The Notice of
Intent was forwarded to SCUP on October 7, 2008
Would you please place this item on the agenda of the next meeting of SCUS.
p1
Att.
0
I
Full Program Proposal
CERTIFICATE IN AFRICAN STUDIES
Simon Fraser University
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
To support the broader internationalization goals of the University, and to recognize both growing
student interest and greater academic depth and breadth in the region, we propose the creation of an
undergraduate Certificate in African Studies. This Certificate Program will recognize individual
achievement in the study of Africa and further will crystallize the diversity of current offerings on
Africa into a coherent program and complementary menu of courses
1.
CREDENTIAL TO BE AWARDED
Students will be awarded a Certificate in African Studies that packages a diverse and multidisciplinary
array of Africa-relevant courses and teaching/research expertise into a coherent undergraduate
certificate program.
2.
LOCATION OF PROGRAM
The Certificate in African Studies will be located in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Simon
Fraser University, Burnaby Campus.
3.
DEPARTMENTS OFFERING PROGRAM
The Certificate will be jointly run by the History and Political Science departments, and administered
by a steering committee comprised of faculty members from participating units/departments
4.
ANTICIPATED PROGRAM START DATE
September 2009.
5.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
5.1
Purposes & Objectives
The Certificate in African Studies will allow SFU to:
.Provide students with a strong foundation in the study of Africa, both in the historical and
contemporary contexts
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assist students in determining and developing the skills, international learning outcomes,
and knowledge requirements for citizenship in a multicultural and diverse domestic
environment
• help students to determine and to develop the skills, international learning outcomes and
knowledge requirements for employment in Africa or in areas with relevance to Africa
5.2 Contribution to University's Strategic Plan
The University is expanding its slate of international programming through curricular revision
and the creation of the School for International Studies, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the graduate
Certificate in Development Studies, and the new Faculty of Environment. The programs offer a
focus in various aspects of international development, and an important complement to these
increasingly important programs is a stream that specializes in Africa.
In
The President 's Agenda - SFU at 40 SFU
President Dr Michael Stevenson states his conviction
that a university education in an era of ever-greater global interconnection must provide a
sophisticated understanding of international and intercultural diversity. All students should he
expected to acquire some direct experience of a different culture and society. and they should
be supported in finding ways to do so that will be reflected in academic credit.
Thus, the Certificate in African Studies contributes to the University's strategië plan by:
• Complementing existing Asian, European, Latin American and Middle Eastern
programming and centres that will be crucial in entrenching curricular diversity at SFU and
developing further contacts and expertise in a region of the world demanding our attention
• formally recognizing academic and mobility experience focusing on Africa
• better identifying, formally recognizing and facilitating the learning opportunities provided
in and about Africa
• better delivering international curriculum at SFU complementing the skills and knowledge
gained through academic coursework and international programming
5.3 Target Audience
The Certificate is targeted at students in diverse fields in the arts, social sciences, and humanities, as
well as the various applied sciences (including health science, REM, environmental science) who
are seeking ways to further their education in and knowledge of Africa. The multidisciplinary
Certificate represents an important way for students to bring intellectual coherence to selecting
courses on Africa. By focusing intensely on the African continent (and related environs such as the
Middle East), students develop a keen appreciation of the rich tapestry of African history, politics,
economics, culture, and environment.
5.3.1
?
Evidence of Interest
A combination of factors including changing demographics, evolving events on the world
stage, and institutional changes have created a demand for increased Africa programming at
SFU. With respect to changing demographics, there is a significant (and growing)
constituency of African Canadians and others with an interest in Africa within the Lower
S ?
Mainland. Census and CIC statistics, for example, show the total number of African
Canadians in the GVRD to be
30,095
as of end-2006. Institutionally, an obstacle that
constrained SFU's ability to develop an African studies concentration was the lack of qualified
and interested faculty on Africa. This is no longer the case as SFU now has a sizeable faculty
complement with knowledge and interest in Africa
(see list of faculty members in appendix 2).
Students are seeking greater opportunities to gain greater knowledge of Africa through course
work, research, exchanges, and partnerships. National and international governmental and
non-governmental agencies are seeking people knowledgeable about Africa to help address
the challenges facing that continent. To complement this, SFU has qualified staff notable
African alumni, a positive working relationship with an active African Diaspora, and an
interested Canadian population, which make a fuller engagement with Africa necessary.
desirable, viable and mutually beneficial.
5.4 Content and Graduation Requirements
Prospective students must apply to Simon Fraser University for admission and meet the normal
admission requirements prior to undertaking the Certificate program.
The certificate requires a minimum of
30
credit hours - 18 credit hours at the lower division and 12
credit hours at the upper division.
Certificate courses are drawn from existing courses offered by participating departments/units in the
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FASS. Special topics courses relevant to Africa may be included with the permission of the
certificate program committee.
(See list of courses in appendix I)
5.5 ?
Distinctive Characteristics: Mobility Opportunities
A number of mobility opportunities will be available to support the Certificate, and new ones
will be sought, including:
• Research terms with partner universities
• SFU has one existing Field School in Africa - the West Africa Contemporary Arts and Culture
program in Ghana - and another Field School is under discussion from the History Department,
in the modern history of South Africa.
• Exchange programs exist in South Africa - with the University of Cape Town - and are under
discussion with Stellenbosch University in South Africa and with the University of Ghana in
Legon.
5.6 ?
Completion time
Admission to the program will be open to all undergraduate students registered and in good
academic standing at SFU. Program completion is possible in one year but additional
semesters may be required.
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5.7 ?
Student Evaluation
Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 calculated on all courses
applied to the Certificate. Duplicate courses are counted only once.
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5.8 ?
Program Assessment
The program committee will evaluate the Certificate biennially.
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5.9 ?
Resources
No new resources are required for the Certificate. It draws on existing courses taught by regular
faculty members in participating units.
There would be no fees for the Certificate other than the regular tuition. exchange, field school or
other program fees related to a specific program. There would be no application fee for the
Certificate.
5.11 Related Programs
A number of universities in Canada have African studies programs and more universities are
creating African studies concentrations. In the Lower Mainland, only UBC has a Minor in African
Studies.
6. CONTACT PERSON
Dr. James Busumtwi-Sam, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science
Ph. 778-782-4346, email: jhusumtw(2sfu.ca
0
. 7.
APPENDIX 1— COURSES
The certificate requires a minimum of
30
credit hours - 18 credit hours at the lower division and 12
credit hours at the upper division. Special topics courses relevant to Africa may be included in place of
those listed below (see following List of Courses) with the permission of the certificate program
committee.
Certificate Program Courses
Lower Division Courses (18 credits)
Students must complete six of the following:
ARCH 252-3
Ancient Egypt and Africa
HIST 146-3
Africa after the Transatlantic Slave Trade
HIST 151-3
The Modern Middle East
HIST 23 1-3
History of Africa to the Nineteenth Century: From Ancient Times to the
Slave Trade
HIST 249-3
Classical Islamic Civilization
IS 210-3
Comparative World Politics: Trajectories, Regimes, Challenges
POL 231-3
Comparative Politics
POL 241-3
Introduction to International Politics
. ?
Upper
Division Courses
(12 credits)
Students must complete
three
of the following: (* students need to satisfy course
prerequisites)
HIST 343-4
Africa and the Slave Trade
HIST 344-4
Themes in Modem East Africa
HIST 348-4
A History of twentieth Century South Africa
HIST 354-4
Imperialism and Modernity in the Middle East
HIST 466-4
Religion and Society in Africa, Nineteenth and Twentieth Century
HIST 467-4
Modem Egypt
HIST 473-4
The Making of South African Society
POL 374-4
Africa in the Global Political Economy
POL 470-4
African Social and Political Thought
/I
LIST OF COURSES
1.
Existing African Content Courses
Archaeology
ARCH 252-3 ?
Ancient Egypt and Africa
History
HIST 146-3 ?
Africa after the Transatlantic Slave Trade
HIST 231-3 ?
History of Africa to the l9 Century: From Ancient Times to the Slave Trade
HIST 251-3 ?
Western Imperial Presence in the Middle East and North Africa
HIST 343-4 ?
Africa and the Slave Trade
HIST 344-4 ?
East Africa
HIST 348-4 ?
A History of Twentieth Century South Africa
HIST
354-4 ?
Imperialism and Modernity in the Middle East
HIST 466-4 ?
Religion and Society in Africa, Nineteenth and Twentieth Century
HIST 467-4 ?
Modern Egypt
HIST 473-4 ?
Making of South African Society
Political Science
POL 231-3
Introduction to Comparative Politics and Government
POL 241-3
Introduction to International Politics
POL 374-4
Africa in the Global Political Economy
POL 470-4
African Social and Political Thought ?
Is
2.
Selected Topics Courses that could be on Africa
Geography
GEOG 263-3
Selected Regions
International Studies
IS 427-4
?
Selected Topics - Globalization, Poverty and Inequality
Political Science
POL
359/459-4
Selected Topics in Governance
POL 349/449-4 Selected Topics in International Relations
POL 339/438/439-4 Selected Topics in Comparative Government and Politics
Sociology/Anthropology
SA 363-4 ?
Process of Development and Underdevelopment (S or A)
SA 463-4 ?
Special Topics in Development Studies
3.
Other Emerging World/Development Courses
Communications
CMNS 347-3
?
Communication in Conflict and Intervention
CMNS 444-3
?
Political Economy of International Communication
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CMNS
446-3
?
The Communication of Science and the Transfer of Technology
Economics
ECON 355W-3 Economic Development
Geography
GEOG 422-3
?
Theories and Practices of Development
Health Sciences
HSCI
340-3 ?
Social Determinants of Health
HSCI
486-3 ?
Senior Seminar in Global Health
International Studies
IS 311-4 ?
Democratic Transition in Comparative Perspective
15 410-4 ?
Politics, Institutions and Development
Political Science
POL 342-4 ?
Developing countries in Global Politics
POL 346-4 ?
International Organizations
POL 433-4 ?
Comparative Developing Systems
Sociolo
gy
and Anthropology
.
?
SA 302W-4 ?
Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism (S or A)
SA 3614
?
Gender, Colonialism, Post-Colonialism
SA 418-4 ?
International Health: Global Policies and Local Realities (S or A)
SA 429-4 ?
Sex, Work and International Capital
SA 430-4 ?
States, Cultures and Global Transitions (S or A)
Women's Studies
WS 200-3
?
Women in Cross-Cultural Perspective
WS 309-3 ?
Gender and International Development
WS 314-3 ?
Race, Class and Gender Relations
8. APPENDIX 2: FACULTY
Primary Specialization in Africa
• Alison Ayers (Political Science)
• Felicitas Becker (History)
• James Busumtwi-Sam (Political Science)
• Parrin Dossa (Sociology and Anthropology)
• Sandra MacLean (Political Science)
• Michael Stevenson (Political Science, Univ. President)
• Ed Mills (FHS)
• Robert Hogg (FHS)
• Wayde Compton (Continuing Studies)
• Albert Smith (Contemporary Arts)
Related or Complementary Specialization in Africa/International Development
• Robert Anderson (CMNS)
• Yildiz Atasoy (Sociology and Anthropology)
• John A.C. Brohman (Geography/LAS)
• R. Canac-Marquis (French)
• Kitty Corbett (FHS)
• Maureen Covell (Political Science)
• Catherine D'Andrea (Archaeology)
• Don DeVoretz (Economics)
• John Harriss(SIS)
• Michael Hayes (Health Sciences)
• Eric Hershberg (Political Science/LAS)
• Anil Hira (Political Science/LAS)
• Craig Janes (FHS, Global Health)
• A. Karaivanov (Economics)
• Duncan Knowler (REM)
• Martin Laba (CMNS)
• D. N. MacLean (History)
• Gerardo Otero (Sociology and Anthropology/LAS)
• Stacey Pigg (Sociology and Anthropology)
• Mark Roseland (CSCD)
• Michael Wilson (Archaeology)
• Habiba Zaman (Women's Studies)
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