Dr. Cheikh Babou

Professor

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Biography

Cheikh Babou is a historian specializing in Islam and West African Muslim diaspora. He joined the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 2002. He holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University (2002) and has an extensive background in African history. Babou is the author of several significant works including 'Fighting Greater Jihad: Amadu Bamba and the Founding of the Muridiyya in Senegal, 1853–2013' published by Ohio University Press in 2007, with a French translation released in 2011. His recent book, 'Muridiyya Move: Islam, Migration and Place Making,' was published in 2021. He is a finalist for the Fage-Oliver Prize from the ASA/UK, recognizing outstanding original scholarly work published on Africa. Beyond books, Babou has contributed articles to respected journals such as African Affairs and the Journal of African History. His scholarly focus also encompasses topics like Sufi Islam, Islamic education, and Muslim-Christian relations within African contexts. He served as the editor of the Journal of African History from 2011 to 2016 and teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate courses related to ancient African history, colonial studies, and modern African issues.

Research Interests

Courses

HIST 0300 Africa 1800 HIST 206 Decolonization & Africa HIST 3350 Religion and Colonial Rule in Africa HIST 2350 Immigrants and Refugees in African History HIST 1350 Faces of Jihad in African History HIST 650 Religious Encounters in Africa HIST 560 African Immigrant Lives in West Philadelphia

Requirements for University of Pennsylvania

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.6
GRE General
Verbal
Required:162
Quantitative
Required:162
Overall
Required:162
GMAT
Total Score
Required:728
Overall
Required:728
TOEFL
Total
Required:115
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong quantitative background
Application Checklist
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation (2-3)
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Essays
Specialization Notes

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