African Studies

African studies is the study of Africa, especially the cultures and societies of Africa (as opposed to geology, geography, zoology, etc.). The field includes the study of the culture of Africa, history of Africa (Pre-colonial, colonisation of Africa, decolonization of Africa), anthropology of Africa (ethnic groups in Africa, demographics of Africa), politics of Africa, economy of Africa (poverty in Africa), languages of Africa, and religion in Africa (African traditional religion). A specialist in African studies is often referred to as an "Africanist". A key focus of the discipline is to interrogate epistemological approaches, theories and methods in traditional disciplines using a critical lens that inserts African-centred ways of knowing and references. Typically, study of African studies focuses on sub-Saharan Africa, since North Africa is considered by some to be part of the Arab world. This however, is a matter of contention within the discipline itself and debates concerning identity are central to the thrust of its interdisciplinary paradigm.