BA Level Studies

The completion of the 3-year first cycle course of studies in the field of Oriental Studies with specialty in African Studies provides a graduate with an university education in humanities and substantive knowledge in the field of African culture related to the area of interest (North-East Africa, East Africa, West Africa). Graduates obtain a thorough grounding in the language of the area, which permits them to easily communicate (in Amharic, Swahili, and Hausa respectively) and to interpret socio-cultural aspects of the relevant region.

The knowledge acquired during the above course of studies provides graduates with the understanding of, and ability to discuss, general topics related to both theoretical and practical aspects of African culture in modern African countries. They will be qualified to find employment in cultural institutions and in public administration. Additionally, graduates are qualified to start second cycle studies.

MA Level Studies

Graduates can continue professional and in-depth studies in a two-year MA programme, which offers advanced language courses at the level of fluent communicating in speaking and writing.

The completion of the 2-year second cycle course of studies in the field of Oriental Studies with specialty in African Studies provides a graduate with extended scope of knowledge which allows him or her to understand and interpret specific phenomena of African culture by means of scholarly methodology. A graduate is able to apply research methodology in the fields of:

  • Linguistics, or

  • Literary studies and cultural studies, or

  • Religious studies and philosophy, or

  • Historical, social and political sciences.

Graduates will have mastered the ability to use one of the African languages (Amharic, Hausa, or Swahili) on advanced level, and to read and translate written texts in this language.

The knowledge gained during the 2-year second cycle course of studies in the field of Oriental Studies with specialty in African Studies offers graduates the opportunity to find employment in a wide range of cultural s e institutions (museums, media, publishing houses etc.) and in offices of national, governmental and local governmental administration dealing with foreign affairs, refugee issues and intercultural education. A graduate should possess the habit of continuous learning and be prepared to extend his or her education into third cycle studies.

Ph.D. in African Studies

The staff members are qualified to lead projects within their research areas as well as to supervise doctoral theses. The Department is subsumed under the Faculty’s programme for Ph. D. students. Ph. D. students of the Department write their theses in one of the following areas: African linguistics or African literature.

The Department offers special admission programmes for students from Africa.

 

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Information for candidates

The programme of African studies has three ‘tracks’ which are connected with the main language of the African Studies programme (Amharic, Hausa or Swahili). The choice of the language and the regional specialization is made at the admission stage and is determined by the yearly offer.

In the B.A. programme, the language courses take 8 hours per week. They are differentiated between grammatical drills, practical exercises, and text reading. Native speakers are regularly (in the case of Amharic) or occasionally (Hausa and Swahili) engaged in teaching. A lecture on descriptive grammar of the main language is additionally offered in the second year of studies.

The courses in linguistics, literature, history, and art refer to the whole continent and have a component related specifically to the region of specialization.

The proseminars and seminars are aimed at becoming acquainted with the methodology of research and interdisciplinary skills specific to African studies.

The specialist courses are a variable offer given by staff members, external teachers and guests. The topics range from African linguistics, literature, and history to sociology, political issues and film.

The required courses of general academic education (Cultural Anthropology, Philosophy, Logic and Semiotics, Information Technology) as well as methodological lectures are offered at the Faculty or the University level.

The M.A. programme is open for candidates having a B.A. in African studies. Its aim is twofold: improving language competence in Amharic, Hausa or Swahili and writing an M.A. thesis using the methodological framework of a selected discipline (linguistics, literature, history, cultural studies). The subject and area of research correlate with the degree requirements of Oriental and African studies and are to be accepted by the Faculty Council. In the thesis, it is recommended to use African language data as the source of research.

Holders of B.A. degrees in other disciplines may also apply for M.A. studies at the Department, but the candidates will be asked to take a language test to ascertain their level of proficiency.

The language of instruction at both B.A. and M.A. levels of studies is Polish. If there are foreign students in the class, the staff members are ready to modify the course and switch to English.