StudyQA — Master: African Studies

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This one-year interdisciplinary master offers you the opportunity to take an in-depth look at the African continent from a variety of perspectives.

In this programme you will study the major historical, cultural, socio-economical and political factors currently affecting the continent. This will give you a solid knowledge base upon which to build post-graduate study. The renowned academic staff, excellent library, museum facilities and interesting opportunities for fieldwork in Africa define this MA as a truly interesting programme. The programme is well connected to both African linguistics and to Africanist social science, which will give you a unique opportunity to study African languages and cultures in a wider perspective. You will have the opportunity to develop your own profile, both in the coursework and in writing your master's thesis. During this programme you eventually choose to focus on one of two main disciplines: African History or African Literature.

The programme is divided into two semesters, made up of both general courses and specialised courses. At the start of the programme you will select one of two main disciplines: African History or African Literature.

African History
Are you aware of the enormous diversity to be found within African society? Regardless of whether you are African or non-African, it is impossible to take a course in African History and exit with the idea that Africa is in some way uniformeither in space or looking across generations. Rather, African history is a celebration of diversity, and thus of possibilities. You will be challenged toconstructivelybring your own prejudices about your own society, and Africa, out into the open.

African Literature
The main aim is to provide you with a deeper understanding of the literary and anthropological approaches to African literature in its broadest context. Concentrating on the many faces of African literaturefrom orality to modern media and from traditional lore to writings of the African diasporayou will learn that African literature is as diverse as all other cultural aspects of the continent.

Programme Structure
Fall semester (September)
The first semester is devoted to group teaching and is both a broadening and deepening of your knowledge of African Languages and Cultures as well as a preparation for the MA-thesis. After this first, quite intensive, block of courses, youll follow three more courses.

Spring semester (February)
There are no courses in the first half of the spring semester. This enables you to conduct research in Africa or elsewhere or take courses at another university. From April onwards, when you have returned from the field, you will start writing your MA thesis. In addition, you will select two so-called regional courses, on particular regions of Africa.

* BA in African Languages and Cultures or an equivalent or * BA in History, Cultural Anthropology or Literature with a relevant specialisation from a Dutch university * relevant certificates from other universities * A good command of English as demonstrated evidenced by an appropriate test.This requirement does not apply if you have: * completed your education in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia, or * an International Baccalaureate, or * a Dutch VWO diploma.Students who have a BA in African Languages and Cultures from Leiden University do not have to apply for admission. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 TOEFL paper-based test score : 570 TOEFL iBT® test: 100

Scholarships / Grants:
Leiden University:For additional information: Website