Black Studies Curriculum
Black Studies Curriculum
(Jones, Loïs Mailou. Les Fétiches. 1938. Oil on linen. Smithsonian American Art Museum)
Majoring in Black Studies
The Black Studies major has two required courses, BLS 101: Introduction to Black Studies and BLS 480: Seminar in Black Studies. Students are also required to take eight additional Black Studies electives with at least two each in each of three areas of concentration, Culture, Language, Literature and the Arts; Historical Inquiry; and Social and Structural Analysis.
The electives cover the history of Black peoples in Africa, the African Diaspora, including the U.S., the Black cultural expression of those peoples, and the social structures that have oppressed and/or represented a path to liberation of those in Black communities around the world.
Minoring in Black Studies
- Required credits – eighteen (18). Each student completes six (6) courses
- Each student is required to complete Introduction to Black Studies
- Five additional courses complete the minor. Students select the five electives from three thematic tracks. Each student must complete at least one elective from each thematic track.
Thematic Tracks
Black Studies and Core Proficiencies
- To view the Black Studies courses that are approved for Core Curriculum credit, please click here.
Declaring a Minor
- Make an appointment to meet with the Director of Black Studies.
- Complete the Academic Program Adjustment Form.
Courses and Additional Program Information
For a listing of course descriptions and degree requirements, please see the course catalog.
Black Studies Courses Organized by Thematic Area
Thematic Area: Culture, Language, Literature and the Arts
BLS 122 – Black Cinema
BLS 213 – The African-American Artist
BLS 215 – Dimensions of Contemporary Black Life
BLS 225 – The African World View
BLS 227 – History of Jazz
BLS 265 -Twentieth-Century African-American Literature
BLS 314 – Black Feminisms
BLS 371 – Global and Postcolonial Literatures
BLS 376 – Toni Morrison
Thematic Area: Historical Inquiry
BLS 207 – African American History 1619 to Present
BLS 225 – The African World View
BLS 304 – Social Movements
BLS 316 – Civil War and Reconstruction
BLS 321 – AIDS, Race & Gender In the Black Community
BLS 344 – Colonialism and Nationalism in Modern Africa
BLS 347 – The Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.: 1955-75
BLS 416 – Race and Politics in the Americas
Thematic Area: Social & Structural Analysis
BLS 211 – Urban Education
BLS 215 – Dimensions of Contemporary Black Life
BLS 230 – Faith and Spirit in the Black Family and Community
BLS 303 – Urban Politics in the United States
BLS 304 – Social Movements
BLS 307 – Urban Sociology
BLS 311 – Equity Issues in Education
BLS 314 – Black Feminisms
BLS 321 – AIDS, Race & Gender In the Black Community
BLS 327 – Race, Class, and Gender: Intersections and Inequalities
BLS 334 – African Politics
BLS 411 – Sociology of Disaster
BLS 416 – Race and Politics in the Americas
BLS 425 – African American Women
Special Topics Series
May meet requirements for any one of the thematic tracks, depending on topic.
BLS 270 – Special Topics in Black Studies
BLS 370 – Special Topics in Black Studies
BLS 470 – Special Topics in Black Studies
BLS 480 – Seminar in Black Studies
BLS 490 – Independent Reading in Black Studies
BLS 491 – Directed Research Project in Black Studies
Dr. Anthony Affigne
Interim Department Chair
Howley Hall 316
401-865-2569
affigne@providence.edu
Katherine Lynch
Administrative Coordinator
Howley Hall 119
401.865.2125
klynch25@providence.edu
