New African Studies Center Director Announced
The Dean of International Studies and Programs, Prof. Jeffrey Riedinger, and Professor Robert Hitchcock, chairperson of the Department of Anthropology, are pleased to announce that Prof. James Pritchett, now at Boston University, has accepted Michigan State University's offer for appointment as Director of its African Studies Center and full professor in the Department of Anthropology. Professor Pritchett will assume these positions effective 1 January 2009.
Founded in 1960, the MSU African Studies Center (ASC) is one of nine Title VI National Resource Centers on Africa designated by the U.S. Department of Education. The Center’s strength is based upon the 160 MSU faculty who provide broad research, teaching, and service on the continent. MSU can offer instruction in 30 African languages, with 9-12 languages taught each year. Two Ph.D. African studies librarians staff the third largest Africana library in the nation. African Studies at MSU has been distinguished by its focus on Africa’s human needs - poverty alleviation, food security, education for development, environment and development, tropical disease, ethics of development, and gender equity.
For almost two decades, MSU graduate students have produced more Ph.D. dissertations on Africa than any other U.S. university, especially in history, social sciences, economics and agricultural economics, and education. Supported by Title VI FLAS Fellowships, MSU Africa studies graduate students are immensely successful in national competitions for dissertation research awards such as in the Fulbright, Fulbright-Hays DDRA, and other competitions.
Africa Resources @ MSU
MSU Directories and Databases
The African Media Program Database
The African Media Program (AMP) offers an online, comprehensive database of more than 14,000 films, videos, and other audio-visual materials concerning Africa. Designed especially for teachers at all levels, it includes links to distributors.
MSU Scholarship Online
Afrobarometer
The Afrobarometer is an MSU-based project collaborating with African social scientists to conduct surveys in 18 African countries on sociopolitical and economic attitudes in Africa. Its data is shared with decision-makers, civic educators, journalists, and African communities in an effort to increase democratization and civic participation.
MSU Libraries and Publications
African e-Journals Project
The African e-Journals Project offers free access to back issues of 10 African journals, a database of more than 1,900 journals on Africa, tables of contents of contemporary journals, and links to current African journals online.
