BA offered by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Are you fascinated by Africa and its diasporas, and passionate about its history and culture? focuses on academic inquiry into issues of social, political, economic, and cultural development, from pre-colonial Africa to the present day. It also invites students to engage in African culture through learning Swahili, the African Oral tradition, music and dance classes, and more. Opportunities for hands on learning abound, through The Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas, International talks and seminars and aligned programs, and events organized by student associations numerous African student organizations/clubs.
Career Options in African Studies
Here are just some of the career options related to this major. As all degrees offer transferable skills, some jobs are more closely linked to this field, than others. Check for regional requirements.
Please note that most of these roles are typically practiced in organizations focused on Africa and its diasporas, as well as African arts, issues, and rights. However, the transferable skills gained from this degree can also be applied in organizations targeting other regions and issues as well.
- Activist
- Ambassador
- Author/Writer
- Business Consultant
- Business Development Officer
- Charity Director
- Communications specialist
- Community Worker
- Conservationist
- Consumer Advocate
- Content Creator/Social Media Manager
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Coordinator/Ethics Advisor
- Cultural critic or commentator
- Documentary Filmmaker
- Economic Analyst
- Editor
- Educator/Professor
- Event Coordinator
- Film researcher or production assistant
- Foreign Correspondent
- Foreign Services Officer
- Foundation Director
- Fundraiser
- Global Health Program Coordinator
- Global Health Researcher
- Government Administrator
- Historical Researcher
- Human Rights Advocate
- Institutional Researcher
- International Development Worker
- Journalist
- Labour Relations Specialist
- Lawyer
- Legal researcher
- Legal Secretary/Researcher
- Legislative Aid
- Lobbyist
- Market Research Analyst
- Marketing Consultant
- Marketing coordinator
- Media Correspondent
- Mediator
- Museum Curator or Educator
- Paralegal
- Paralegal or legal assistant
- Policy Advisor
- Policy Advisor/Researcher
- Political Advisor
- Politician
- Population Studies Analyst
- Program Coordinator or Manager (Non Profit, NGO)
- Public Policy Analyst
- Public Relations Specialist
- Research analyst at think tanks
- Reviewer or writer for publications
- Scriptwriter
- Sustainability Consultant
- Teacher
- Tour Guide/Travel Consultant
- Translator/Interpreter
Some career choices may require further education, such as graduate studies or professional courses and exams. For detailed career descriptions and specific requirements, please check .
Entry-Level Positions in African Studies
An undergraduate degree is typically sufficient for these positions, though some locations may require additional qualifications. For region-specific information, please check .
- Administrative Assistant
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Content Writer For organizations, websites, or publications
- Cultural Affairs Assistant (museums or cultural centers)
- HR Assistant
- International Development Assistant
- Interpreter/Translator
- Marketing Assistant (Businesses, Non-Profits and NGOs)
- Program Assistant (Non-Profit and NGOs)
- Public Relations Assistant
- Research Assistant (Academic)
- Social Media Coordinator
- Teaching Assistant
- Travel Consultant
- Volunteer Coordinator
For career descriptions, visit . Some occupations may also be found on ; for login information, navigate to the Career Centre’s homepage in .Ìý
Skills Developed through a Degree in African Studies
Core Skills
- Draw on informed understandings of Africa and its diasporas’ richly diverse histories, economies, politics and cultures to effectively communicate and represent Africa
- Recognize, appreciate and highlight/learn/examine Africans’ and their diasporas’ roles in addressing socioeconomic and political challenges, from both historical and contemporary perspectives
- Examine and appreciate Africa’s contributions to contemporary arts (including music, film, fashion, literature, dance, theatre, painting etc.)
- Learn the importance of re-imagining the futures of Africa and its diasporas through the exciting, global Pan African creative phenomenon of Afrofuturism (which is inclusive of cultural production at the intersections between race and technology, including religion, architecture, communications, visual arts, philosophy etc.)
Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills
- Interdisciplinary Communication: Emphasis is on synthesizing complex, cross-disciplinary ideas, which is crucial for effective communication in diverse professional settings
- Writing and Presentation Skills: Assignments often involve academic writing and oral presentations, fostering the ability to communicate findings clearly and persuasively
- Research Skills: Courses on professional skills for international development emphasize qualitative and quantitative research methods, enabling students to gather and analyze data from various sources
- Analytical Frameworks: Students learn to apply theoretical and practical frameworks to assess cultural, social, and economic issues, critical for effective data interpretation
- Project Management: Coursework in international development and advanced studies includes elements of planning, organizing, and executing projects, particularly in multicultural and global contexts
- Cultural Context Navigation: Understanding diverse cultural frameworks aids in organizing initiatives that are culturally informed and contextually relevant, a key organizational skill
Management and Teamwork Skills
- Leadership in Development Contexts: Learn project management, resource allocation, and leadership in diverse and international settings
- Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration: The program's focus on connecting African Studies with co-majors or minors (e.g., psychology or health sciences) develops the ability to work across disciplines
- Group Dynamics and Negotiation: Engagement with cultural studies and social science methods equips students with negotiation and problem-solving abilities, essential for teamwork
- Strategic Planning: Courses like Introduction to African Studies introduce planning skills for addressing socio-economic and political challenges on the continent
- Cultural Competence and Mediation: By studying African history, culture, and governance, students gain cultural sensitivity crucial for team cohesion and effective management
- Networking and Mentorship Opportunities: Access to mentorship programs and community-based learning enhances practical teamwork and management capabilities.
Professional Associations
Professional associations offer valuable insights into qualifications, industry trends, and career opportunities. They provide networking events, workshops, mentorship programs, and internships, as well as job boards and career development resources. Additionally, some associations offer professional licensing and regulatory oversight.
- (ACHA): An entirely volunteer-driven organization formerly known as the Black Heritage Program that provides African-Canadian children with an opportunity to learn about their African heritage, history, and values.
- (ACPA): The ACPA focuses on supporting and promoting the development of performing arts within the African-Canadian community. It provides platforms for artists to showcase their talents, fosters cultural expression, and encourages the preservation of African traditions through the arts. Specific details about this organization may require further research.
- (NACA): Focused on promoting and preserving Black and Afro-Canadian heritage, NACA supports community programs in education, cultural preservation, economic development, and policy advocacy.
- (BBPA): Although not exclusively for African Studies graduates, this organization supports Black professionals and entrepreneurs in Canada through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities.
- (OBHS): Dedicated to preserving and promoting the contributions of Black Canadians, the OBHS offers educational resources and opportunities for engagement, which could align with interests in African and diaspora studies.
- (IDRC): While not exclusively African-focused, IDRC works on development issues in Africa and could be an important network for those pursuing careers in development or policy analysis.