The African Studies Program (ASP), a constituent program of the University of Iowa International Programs, was established in 1979 to promote the interdisciplinary study of Africa at The University of Iowa. It helps students gain a broader understanding of African history and contemporary life in Africa and provides an environment of cooperation and collaboration among students and faculty that leads to increased opportunities for research and teaching.

Academic Programs

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa offers an International Studies B.A., an interdisciplinary program, which allows students to choose a geographic or thematic area as the focus of their studies. Students interested in concentrating on African Studies are encouraged to consider an International Studies major with an emphasis in African Studies.

Contact us

Cory Gundlach

Title/Position
Director, African Studies Program
Curator of African Arts, Stanley Museum of Art

African Studies Program News

Daily Iowan African Studies Article Image

Student curators explore ‘Alternate Paths’ with provenance research

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
‘Alternate Paths: Object Histories from Africa to America’ is the first exhibit at the Stanley Museum of Art to use provenance information and be entirely student-curated.
Cory Gundlach presenting art at the restitution ceremony

Stanley Museum of Art Curator Cory Gundlach on the intersection of art and African studies at Iowa

Tuesday, December 17, 2024
The new director of the African Studies Program is Cory Gundlach, curator of African art at the Stanley Museum of Art. He shares with us his thoughts about the direction of the program moving forward, and how the African art collection at the Stanley Museum plays into this vision.
students participating in the Tadoku Workshop in April 2022

International Programs’ affinity groups contribute to Iowa’s global mission

Monday, July 1, 2024
The faculty-led affinity groups create opportunities for faculty to advance research and teaching through a focus on collegiate issues and perspectives, provide opportunities for faculty and students across disciplines to interact and collaborate, and develop public engagement projects to benefit communities in Iowa and abroad.

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Featured Resource

tanzania in the summer group photo

The African Studies Subject Guide is a starting point for information on sub-Saharan Africa. Students and faculty will find links to primary and secondary resources specific to Africa, as well as broader databases with significant relevant content. The guide is maintained by the UI Libraries' librarian for African studies, Lisa Gardinier.

The guide provides convenient access to a wide range of resources which are useful to undergraduate as well as graduate students. They include the comprehensive portal "Africa South of Sahara," the accessible introductions to many topics found in the "Oxford Research Encyclopedia for African History," and a wealth of full-text versions of classic African novels from the "African Writers Series."