Black Studies, B.A.

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This interdisciplinary major requires 39 credits with at least two classes each from departments of History and English; at least one class from the department of Anthropology; at least one class with an additional prefix (other than ENGL, HIST or ANTH); at least three classes at the 300 or 400-level; and a six-credit (two semester) directed study capstone. We strongly encourage students to participate in a Black Studies related internship or study abroad program. See also the listing for an Africana Studies minor .

Courses should be chosen in consultation with a Black Studies program advisor from the following list. (Under advisement, new and one time courses may also be considered for Black Studies credit.)

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the rich complexities of social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural life among African and a variety of African diaspora peoples, past and present
2. Demonstrate the ability to identify and critically assess different disciplinary, methodological, and interpretive approaches to the study of Africans, African Americans, and other people of the African diaspora
3. Be able to analyze and compare different kinds of texts and artifacts-e.g. historical documents, literary texts, films, museum exhibits, monuments, visual art, electronic media, etc.
4. Communicate ideas well in written and oral form, appropriate for an academic setting, including proper citation and revision skills

General Education Requirements (30-46 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 39

Basic Requirements: (39 Credits)

A. Courses whose primary focus is consistent with Black Studies:

ANTH 326 - Race, Racism and Antiracism in the Americas Credit(s): 3
BLKS 200 - Introduction to Black Studies Credit(s): 3
BLKS 220 - Black Lives Matter: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
BLKS 225 - Black Cinema Credit(s): 4
ENGL 318 - Black British Literature and Culture Credit(s): 4
ENGL 337 - African-American Literature Credit(s): 4
HIST 163 - African American History to 1877 Credit(s): 4
HIST 164 - African American History from 1877 Credit(s): 4
HIST 263 - The Civil War and Reconstruction Era: 1830-1890 Credit(s): 4
HIST 266 - Civil Rights Movement in America Credit(s): 4
SOCL 201 - Black Women in American Society Credit(s): 3

B. Slot courses that are sometimes offered with a topic consistent with Black Studies:

(These must be chosen under advisement.)

AMST 201 - Topics in American Studies: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 203 - Reader and Text: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 342 - World Literature Credit(s): 4
ENGL 360 - Post-Colonial Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 424 - The Novel: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 443 - Gender, Sexuality, and Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 458 - Major Authors: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
HIST 203 - Biography: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
HIST 301 - Interpretations in History: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
HIST 302 - Research in History: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
HIST 491 - Senior Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
MUSC 100 - Understanding Music: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
SOCL 381 - Selected Topics: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3

Sample Course Map

For Students who Matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.

Curriculum Map

First Year
- Fall - 14 Credit Hours
  - INTD 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society: DPP - Credit(s): 3
  - World Language 101 - Credit(s): 4
  - Natural Science with lab - Credit(s): 4
- Spring - 14 Credit Hours
  - ENGL 203 - Reader and Text: (subtitle) /Elective - Credit(s): 4
  - World Language 102 - Credit(s): 4
  - Global Society: CAI - Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society: CGC - Credit(s): 3
Second Year
- Fall - 16 Credit Hours
  - SOCL 201 - Black Women in American Society Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society: WCV - Credit(s): 4 credits
  - Global Society: SST - Credit(s): 3 credits
  - Math/Quantitative - Credit(s): 3 credits
  - Elective - Credit(s): 3 credits
- Spring - 15 Credit Hours
  - HIST 163 - African American History to 1877 OR HIST 164 - African American History from 1877 OR Elective - Credit(s): 4
  - BLKS 200 - Introduction to Black Studies OR BLKS 220 - Black Lives Matter: (subtitle) OR BLKS 225 - Black Cinema OR Elective - Credit(s): 3
  - Electives - Credit(s): 8
Third Year
- Fall - 16 Credit Hours
  - BLKS 200 - Introduction to Black Studies OR BLKS 220 - Black Lives Matter: (subtitle) OR BLKS 225 - Black Cinema OR elective - Credit(s): 3
  - ENGL 337 - African-American Literature Credit(s): 4
  - Electives - 9
- Spring - 15 Credit Hours
  - Black Studies Electives - Credit(s): 7
  - Electives - Credit(s): 8
Fourth Year
- Fall - 15 Credit Hours
  - Black Studies Electives - Credit(s): 4
  - ENGL 318 - Black British Literature and Culture Credit(s): 4
  - BKLS Capstone - Credit(s): 3
  - Electives - Credit(s): 4
- Spring - 15 Credit Hours
  - Integrative & Applied Learning - Credit(s): 4
  - Electives - Credit(s): 11

Total Credit Hours: 120

Note: There is considerable flexibility in both the order and specific courses. This sample program has been chosen to provide a possible sequence that emphasizes general education classes that are particularly relevant to Black Studies and quickly introduces students to Black Studies classes in a variety of departments.

Note: Variation in the order of courses is possible, depending upon prereqisties. Consult course information in the bulletin or your academic advisor to customize your eight semester plan.

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

Attributes:

Sub Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
DPP	Diversity, Pluralism, Power
WCV	World Cultures & Values
CGC	Contemporary Global Challenges
CAI	Creativity & Innovation
SST	Sustainability

Learning Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
ARTS	Arts
HUMA	Humanities
SOSC	Social Science