Indiana University African Studies Program

Indiana University African Studies Program Information about the Indiana University African Studies Program

The African Studies Program has long been recognized as one of the leading centers for the interdisciplinary study of Africa. We are committed to being one of the nation's leading programs for the interdisciplinary study of Africa. Our diverse research, teaching, and outreach activities promote greater understanding and appreciation of the continent and its people. We also promote the study of Afr

ica in global perspective by cooperating with other area-studies programs, international centers, professional schools, and departments inside and outside Indiana University. All of our activities are conducted in accordance with our values stressing integrity, excellence, diversity, community, collaboration, and creativity.

TOMORROW! Join us for the FIRST Cafe Africaine of the semester! Drop by for Ethiopian coffee, a variety of African teas,...
08/31/2026

TOMORROW! Join us for the FIRST Cafe Africaine of the semester! Drop by for Ethiopian coffee, a variety of African teas, music, and conversation! Every first Thursday, 3:30-3:40 in Hamilton Lugar (SGIS), GA 3067! School of Global and International Studies 🌎

Did you know that East Africa had trade into China as early as 500 BCE? That the richest man who ever lived was a King o...
08/18/2026

Did you know that East Africa had trade into China as early as 500 BCE? That the richest man who ever lived was a King of the Empire of Mali? That there are more pyramids located outside of Egypt? That Africa had urban centers long before Britain and areas of Europe? That Africa had written texts as well as rich oral traditions? Or that there were African diplomats residing in Europe during the Renaissance? This course looks at the deep history of Africa and its civilizations, including its early global connections. We will explore the Gold Road and Maritime Silk Road -both linked to the Silk Road you WERE taught about, Timbuktu and the mathematicians and scientists who resided there, the Trans-Saharan trade, Great Zimbabwe, Ile Ife (“the navel of the earth”), the Benin and Ashanti kingdoms and more! Explore something new while fulfilling Case S&H and GCC! School of Global and International Studies 🌎 Hamilton Lugar LLC

Congratulations to the student curators for an outstanding exhibition highlighting apartheid and resistance through anti...
05/07/2026

Congratulations to the student curators for an outstanding exhibition highlighting apartheid and resistance through anti-apartheid posters in the IU Collections. Students from the course are now on their way to South Africa, where they will visit Johannesburg, Soweto, Sharpesville, Cape Town and more. Thank you to Dr. Alex Lichtenstein for creating incredible experience for IU students!

Congratulations to our Seniors! You will be missed, but we can’t wait to see what you will do next! For all our returnin...
05/07/2026

Congratulations to our Seniors! You will be missed, but we can’t wait to see what you will do next! For all our returning students, have a fantastic summer and we will see you in the fall!

THIS THURSDAY! May 7th, 4:00pm to 6:00 pm, join us for the opening of “Protesting South African Apartheid: A Visual Reco...
05/04/2026

THIS THURSDAY! May 7th, 4:00pm to 6:00 pm, join us for the opening of “Protesting South African Apartheid: A Visual Record.” McCalla Gallery, 525 N. Indiana Avenue, Bloomington, IN. Drawing from the significant collection of posters from across Africa, students in Dr. Alex Lichtenstein’s HON-H251 course History & Heritage in South Africa, selected and researched these visual public forms of resistance from the apartheid era. Come join us! Supported by the University Collections, Hutton Honors College, Dr. Alex Lichtenstein, and the IU African Studies Program.

African Studies would like to sincerely thank our Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants for this year, Femi and Louisa!...
04/25/2026

African Studies would like to sincerely thank our Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants for this year, Femi and Louisa! From the moment they arrived, they have been devoted to assisting in not only teaching IU students in Yoruba and Kiswahili, but have volunteered in the broader Bloomington community teaching K-12 students in their respective languages and cultures! IU, Bloomington, and African Studies are better because of them! Thank you so much Louisa Joy and Femi for all you have done! You are extraordinary individuals and we will miss you! Know that you will always be a part of IU African Studies!

African Studies wishes to congratulate PhD candidate Ibrahim Odugbemi on receiving the 2026 ASP Pedagogy Award! This awa...
04/24/2026

African Studies wishes to congratulate PhD candidate Ibrahim Odugbemi on receiving the 2026 ASP Pedagogy Award! This award recognizes outstanding teaching and/or pedagogical research by a graduate student in African Studies. Ibrahim has taught both Yoruba language and the popular Contemporary Africa course. He has received outstanding student evaluations for his teaching and support of students. Ibrahim Odugbemi is in The Media School, focusing on African film. He received an MA in African Studies from Indiana University-Bloomington, and an MA and a BA in English (Literature) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His research bridges Global South cinemas, African cinema, cultural studies, and literary studies. He has taught African Studies, worked with global media platforms, and led creative and knowledge-based initiatives in Nigeria and the United States. Congratulations, Ibrahim! Ibrahim was nominated by Dr. Tavy Aherne, and seconded by Dr. Kazeem Sanuth.

African Studies Program proudly celebrates Abimbola Abiola, one of our two Senior of the Year Awardees!Abimbola graduate...
04/23/2026

African Studies Program proudly celebrates Abimbola Abiola, one of our two Senior of the Year Awardees!
Abimbola graduates with a major in International Law and Institutions and a minor in African Languages (Yorùbá), leaving behind a legacy defined by excellence, leadership, and service. Over the past four years, she has devoted herself to studying Yorùbá, fully embracing the language as well as the culture, community, and connections that come with it.
Beyond the classroom, Abimbola has been deeply involved in numerous events and initiatives. Her presence has been felt across the African Studies Program and throughout Indiana University in ways that will continue long after graduation. As a founding member and the inaugural president of the Yoruba Student Association at Indiana University Bloomington, Abimbola helped build something lasting.
Her impact is enduring, her journey inspiring, and her future incredibly bright.
Congratulations, Abimbola! We are so proud of you!
Abimbola was nominated by Dr. Matthew Ajibade.

African Studies Program proudly celebrates Jacob Miner, one of our two Senior of the Year Awardees! This award recognize...
04/23/2026

African Studies Program proudly celebrates Jacob Miner, one of our two Senior of the Year Awardees! This award recognizes graduating Seniors who distinguish themselves not only through their academics, but through their exceptional involvement with African Studies.

Jacob Minor will graduate with Honors in the Kelly School of Business, Management and International Business, and Dual Minors in African Studies and African Languages (Kiswahili).

Jacob is recognized for his outstanding academic record, sincere commitment to the study of African languages and Africa and its global diaspora, as well as his humility. He was a FLAS 2024-2025 Fellow awardee and finalist for the cancelled 2025-2026 FLAS competition. He has volunteered for the Bridges: Children, Language, World early language program for children in our community for several years now. Moreover, when he learned that Fairview Elementary needed assistance with Kiswahili translation for their “New Arrivals” students [refugee/immigrant families from DRC and Tanzania] and for parent-teacher conferences, Jacob volunteered. He has continued supporting other teachers and families at Fairview, Templeton, Arlington, and taught at both Bloomington North and South High Schools, while recruiting fellow Kiswahili language students to assist with this incredibly important service. He has been active in the ALCC student organization and volunteered with African Studies for other initiatives.

It’s IU Day 2026! Please consider supporting the IU African Studies Student Aid Fund or the ASP Enrichment Fund! Your ge...
04/22/2026

It’s IU Day 2026! Please consider supporting the IU African Studies Student Aid Fund or the ASP Enrichment Fund! Your generosity enables us to provide extraordinary opportunities for students, as well as support them in times of crisis. All donations through today will be matched up to $500.00. That means your funds go further to support your values! Go to https://bit.ly/4sMB8w0.

Address

355 North Jordan Avenue
Bloomington, IN
47405

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Indiana University African Studies Program posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category