The African Studies Program is inspired and guided by the Wisconsin Idea to share the expertise, talents, and scholarship of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to promote the study of Africa in schools and communities across Wisconsin. With nearly fifty years of experience, we are proud of our legacy as pioneers in African Studies outreach in the Upper Midwest, and we look forward to great future partnerships with educators, business leaders, and communities.
Outreach Projects
- Children’s African Story Hour (CASH): explore award-winning children’s literature with food, music, and hands-on activities in partnership with Madison Public Library and the Africa Center for Community Development, Inc. For more K-12 related contents, see Other Educational Materials below under More Resources.
- Read Africa: donation of African literature to public libraries in the U.S. state of Wisconsin through the U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Centers for Africa in partnership with Brittle Paper, the Children’s Africana Book Award (CABA), and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
- Discovery Boxes: a thematic combination of items related to particular activities, topics, or cultural contexts for hands-on exploration in the classroom. These boxes are FREE lending (and shipping) resources for schools and educators.
- Africa Talks: advanced graduate student affiliates of the African Studies Program at UW-Madison present a one-hour talk in off-campus community centers.
- Day in Africa: a gathering of high school students from different parts of Wisconsin to explore the languages and cultures of Africa in sessions led by UW-Madison faculty, students, and staff.
Outreach Materials
The African Studies Program curates a large collection of African books, films, and cultural items available to teachers, schools, and community groups for free. Browse our Outreach Materials page to find these resources. You can also explore our Publication Archive and other African-based collections in the UW-Libraries system.
Outreach Scholars Program
The Outreach Scholars program comprises affiliate graduate and undergraduate students with extensive experience living, working, or studying in Africa. These scholars share their area studies expertise, African-based living experiences, and technical skills to enrich school curricula and community events throughout Wisconsin while dispelling harmful myths and stereotypes about Africa and Africans. Learn more on how to meet and invite our Outreach Scholars to your classroom or event today!
More Resources
Browse more Africa-related resources within and beyond UW-Madison featuring lesson plans, news sites, research, and much more.
Other Educational Materials
Browse links to Online Resources on various topics and issues related to different regions of Africa; these links are particularly useful for teachers and students
Local Resources
Learn about resources around Madison that might enhance your experience and understanding of Africa.
UW-Libraries
Free access to the UW African Studies collections containing over 10.13 million volumes and serials, 40 percent of which are in languages other than English. The UW General Library System boasts as one of the top three Africa collections in the country.
Research Highlights
Explore cutting-edge Africanist research taking place on campus.