Grew out of the excitement emanating from the decolonization of the continent in the mid‐1960’s and the awareness of the important role Africa could play in world affairs. Today the interdisciplinary nature of the program allows the student to build a course of study reflecting Africa’s contemporary reality. Themes include the socioeconomic development of the continent in the context of Africa’s grand cultural and historical traditions. Students may also view the study of Africa as an excellent case study of the process of social change in the developing world.