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AFRICAN

African Cultural Studies

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The department at a glance

All recorded grades
average GPA
A / AB grades
letter grades

How grades break down

Grades over time

Red: department · Gray: UW–Madison

About these statistics

GPA and percentages are weighted by recorded letter grades. UW comparisons use the same terms. Cross-listed courses count once within this department and once across UW; department totals should not be added together. Grade counts are not unique students. Offering counts reflect captured records, not a complete historical schedule.

Fall 2026

Recorded this term
courses with offerings
instructors recorded

Grades have not been recorded for this term. Historical results remain in the overview above.

Find your next class

31 courses

Historical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Grade sorting prioritizes courses with at least 100 letter grades.

Introduction to African cultural studies examining literary genres, screen media, music, and popular expression through scholarly methods.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Vlad Dima: Workload consists of weekly quizzes, take-home midterms and finals with short answers, and a two-page essay, requiring preparation through notes and participation.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

Introduction to African Literature surveys African literary traditions and introduces literary analysis.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Workload varies; one review cites heavy reading requirements, while another notes only midterm and final paper require significant effort.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

AFRICAN 202 covers various topics in African cultural and expressive studies, examining political and cultural themes across multiple media and genres.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Reginold Royston: Early reviews suggest manageable workloads with skimmable readings and clear assignments. Recent reviews indicate high difficulty, citing confusing quizzes and strict attendance policies.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

AFRICAN 203 introduces special topics in African literature, focusing on a specific region or genre.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Tobi Idowu: Workload consists of reading three books, daily discussion posts, weekly journal entries, and a single research essay on African immigration and struggle.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

Introductory course covering the diversity of African languages, multilingual societies, and language-society relationships.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

Introduction to the life and culture of Yoruba-speaking people in West Africa and the Americas.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2022 · limited sample

AFRICAN 303 introduces students to the literature and visual culture of Africa across various periods and places.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Vlad Dima: Workload consisted of a midterm paper, final paper, and weekly 1-2 sentence discussion posts, with readings described as not challenging.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025

First Semester Arabic introduces beginning learners to Modern Standard Arabic through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Daily homework is challenging and graded on accuracy rather than completion, requiring consistent effort to stay on top of the material.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025

AFRICAN 323 is the third semester of Arabic, focusing on intermediate proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing Modern Standard Arabic.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Mustafa Mustafa: The course requires daily effort and active participation, including speaking Arabic in class. Reviews note unclear due dates and grading criteria, though feedback is generally prompt and helpful.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sample

FIFTH SEMESTER ARABIC is an advanced course for Modern Standard Arabic learners focusing on proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing within cultural contexts.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2023 · limited sample

FIRST SEMESTER SWAHILI introduces beginning learners to Standard Swahili with an emphasis on communication in cultural context.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Kevin Wamalwa: The instructor is described as very laid back and enthusiastic, fostering an environment where he ensures everyone contributes.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2024 · limited sample

AFRICAN 333 is the third semester of Swahili, focusing on four-skills proficiency through authentic texts, grammar review, and vocabulary expansion.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

No recorded grade history

FIRST SEMESTER YORUBA is a beginner course focusing on Standard Yoruba proficiency and cultural communication.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2023–Fall 2025 · limited sample

AFRICAN 373: THIRD SEMESTER YORUBA covers advanced grammar, conversational practice, and reading contemporary Yoruba literature.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

No recorded grade history

A seminar on self-instructional methods for learning less commonly taught languages, including syllabus design and skill practice.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Fall 2024 · limited sample

AFRICAN 699 is a directed study course allowing students to conduct advanced research projects arranged with a faculty member.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample

AFRICAN 700 teaches academic writing norms and the mechanics of producing original scholarship in African cultural studies.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2024–Fall 2024 · limited sample

AFRICAN 999 is an independent reading and research course for dissertators, focusing on advanced mentored reading, writing, and research.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample

This introductory survey covers African society, culture, polity, and economy from prehistory to contemporary developments using multidisciplinary perspectives.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of James Delehanty, Neil Kodesh: Workload includes heavy reading and essays or exams, but reviewers note these are manageable if students complete the assigned work.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

This course analyzes the retention of African elements in African-American oral, written, and material culture.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2025–Fall 2025 · limited sample

An interdisciplinary seminar exploring African societies and cultures.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2025–Spring 2025 · limited sample

TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA AND BEYOND surveys digital technology and communications culture in Africa and the developing world through development studies.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2026–Spring 2026 · limited sample

Across course levels

Recorded this term

No released grades for this term.

Recorded offerings over time

Offering snapshots currently cover Fall 2026. Earlier grade records do not provide a complete offering history.