African Studies Students' Association

African Studies Students' Association

The African Studies Students’ Association (ASSA) are proud representatives of the African Studies Program at McGill University, dedicated to fostering meaningful dialogue, enriching scholarship, and nurturing a strong sense of community. Our mission is to amplify the voices of Afro-diasporic communities, advocating for their perspectives and contributions to global knowledge. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to create spaces for intellectual exchange, cultural celebration, and mutual respect, while championing the richness of African and Afro-descendant histories and experiences.

Hence, we are proud to present the African Studies Program’s esteemed academic journal, UHURU. This journal stands as a testament to the unwavering determination, resilience, and passion of the editorial team, McGill student body, and larger Montreal community. The McGill African Studies Student Association is honored to continue the legacy of those who paved the way for us by bringing forward meaningful and thought-provoking content on Africa and its diasporas. We hope that UHURU will make you feel seen, heard, and connected, inviting you to become part of this journey of storytelling, critical reflection, and celebration. Together, may we continue to honor the voices, histories, and futures that shape Africa and its global diasporas.

For more information on ASSA | For more information on UHURU

The African Studies Program

Established in 1969, the African Studies Program at McGill University was the first of its kind in Canada. The Program offers courses across the disciplines leading to a Minor and Major Concentration and a Joint Honors Program, allowing students many exciting opportunities to explore a wide range of political, historical, social, economic, and environmental issues pertaining to Africa. The underlying conception of the African Studies Program emanates from the basic premise that African Studies is a foundational field of study and a global intellectual enterprise, rather than one constrained by territorial boundaries.

For students pursuing a Major or Minor concentration in African Studies, the plan of study begins with an introductory course that explores African issues from an interdisciplinary and global perspective and ends with an advanced research seminar. In addition to facilitating opportunities for students to travel and study in Africa, the Program also offers a course in Swahili, which greatly enhances knowledge of African culture and society and can, along with other courses offered, pave the path towards exciting future career and travel opportunities in Africa. The African Studies Program also sponsors a variety of other types of scholarly and cultural activities throughout the academic year related to Africa and the African diaspora, many of which are initiated by its undergraduate student organization, the African Studies Students Association (ASSA), most notably the UHURU Journal.