Programs
The African Studies Program (BA)
The African Studies Program is interdisciplinary in its approach. Students are expected to acquire the analytical and methodological competence to take an interdisciplinary approach to the study of African societies and economies by combining theories and concepts from different disciplines. The objectives of the program are to:
- transmit and advance, through teaching and research, knowledge about Africa’s indigenous knowledge, socio-economic, institutional, political, environmental and developmental conditions and issues;
- produce competent scholars who are capable of understanding and analyzing Africa’s socio-economic, institutional, political, and developmental conditions from an interdisciplinary perspective;
- develop critical analysis and communication skills that enables learners to effectively present views and to analyze and critique the views of others for knowledge generation and policy making;
- share expertise with the community interested in African affairs and maintain a community service component that promotes panel discussions, symposia, forums, and productive partnerships; and contribute to the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual growth of the community;
- prepare learners for active citizenship, developing an ongoing interest in national, regional and global development discourses, and building cooperative efforts with others;
- prepare learners for further studies as well as teaching, research and consultancy careers in African studies.
The Middle Eastern Studies Program (MA)
The main objectives of the MA Program in Middle Eastern Studies are:
- To transmit and advance knowledge through teaching and research about the fundamental issues affecting the Middle East region;
- To train competent scholars who will be capable of understanding and analyzing the economic, social, cultural, political and environmental conditions of the Middle East;
- To produce Middle East experts and professionals (researchers, political advisors and policy analysts) who will work for Ethiopian parastatal organizations such as the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Industry, Mining, Water Resources and Energy as well as for non-governmental organizations;
- To serve as a principal research center that would initiate, promote and coordinate academic as well as policy-oriented research on interdisciplinary basis;
- To encourage different institutions to share their knowledge and expertise on the Middle East in various panel discussions, symposia, and forums to update, deepen and sharpen the intellectual, cultural and spiritual discourses on the Middle East.
PhD in African Studies Program
The objectives of PhD program in African Studies are to
- produce highly qualified professionals in African Studies, who will serve as teachers, researchers, consultants and experts in parastatal, nongovernmental, regional and international organizations;
- cultivate and promote interdisciplinary approaches to studying African historical, political, economic, social and cultural issues;
- provide necessary skills for critically understanding, analyzing and addressing contemporary African problems and suggesting the potential solutions thereof; and
- offer advanced learning possibilities for graduates who have completed their MA degrees in African Studies and related fields in the social sciences and humanities
No. of Graduate Programs
The Center runs three graduate programs in African and Middle Eastern Studies
The MA Program in African Studies (Regular and Extension Programs) is composed of three streams:
- African Intellectual History and Cultural Studies
- Human and Economic Development in Africa
- Citizenship and State in Africa
The MA Program in Middle Eastern Studies (Regular Program) is composed of three streams:
- Geography and Politics in the Middle East
- History, Culture and Identity in the Middle East
- Social and Economic Development in the Middle East
The PhD Program in African Studies is composed of two specializations:
- Mobility and Citizenship Studies in Africa
- Culture, Art and Media Studies in Africa
Admission Requirements
MA Programs
In addition to the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies at the Addis Ababa University, admission to all the three streams in each of the African and Middle Eastern Studies Programs shall be open to those applicants who:
- have completed undergraduate studies in social sciences, humanities, language studies and other related fields;
- successfully pass entrance examination given by the Center and the University
PhD Program
Admission into the PhD Program in African Studies follows the general guidelines set forth by Addis Ababa University. As applicants aspiring to join the PhD Program in African Studies, students should have adequate academic background in African Studies in particular and/or Area Studies in general. The eligibility of applicants would be assessed at the Centre for African and Oriental Studies (CAfOS) by the Centre Graduate Committee (CGC) using relevant criteria that includes, among others.
- Master’s Degree in African studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Area Studies Global Studies, Gender and Economic Development, literature and language studies, Political Science and International Relations and related fields from recognized university or higher academic institutions;
- Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.25 and above in post graduate studies in the fields mentioned in 7.1 above with MA/MSc thesis rated either “very good” or “excellent”;
- An application together with the applicants’ curriculum vitae and official transcripts;
- Submission and presentation of preliminary concept note for the PhD dissertation (not more than five pages);
- Passing an interview and/or entrance exam which will be administrated by the CGC and the University.
Current No. of Students
The center has currently a total of 87 students in both regular MA Programs in African and Middle Eastern Studies. The Center has also 17 PhD students in the first and second year. There is a plan to conduct some promotional activities regarding the programs and activities at the Center by engaging regular and extension students of the Center, including those working for media.
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