Black Studies Curriculum
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 225 The African World View
BLS 227 History of Jazz
BLS 265 Twentieth-Century African-American Literature
BLS 371 Global and Postcolonial Literature
BLS 376 Toni Morrison
BLS 470 T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E.
BLS 470 Afro-Latinidad(es)
BLS 470 Black Girl Magic
Thematic Area: Historical Inquiry
BLS 207 African American History 1619 to Present
BLS 225 The African World View
BLS 270 Racial Health Disparities
BLS 304 Social Movements
BLS 344 Colonialism and Nationalism in Modern Africa
BLS 425 African-American Women
BLS 470 Racial Capitalism
BLS 470 Global Migration
BLS 470 AIDS, Race & Gender In the Black Community
BLS 470 Black Brazil: Racism & Resistance
Thematic Area: Social & Structural Analysis
BLS 211 – Urban Education
BLS 230 – Faith and Spirit in the Black Family and Community
BLS 270 Racial Health Disparities
BLS 280 Violence Against Women
BLS 303 Urban Politics in the US
BLS 304 Social Movements
BLS 305 Race and Racism
BLS 307 Urban Sociology
BLS 311 Equity Issues in Education
BLS 348 American Political Theory
BLS 355 Comparative Race & Inequality
BLS 401 Political Economy of Race
BLS 413 The Power of Whiteness
BLS 416 Race and Politics in the Americas
BLS 425 African-American Women
BLS 444 The Global Food System
BLS 470 AIDS, Race & Gender In the Black Community
BLS 470 Race and Punishment
BLS 470 Inequality in the U.S.
BLS 470 Race, Class, and Gender: Inequalities and Intersections
BLS 470 Black Feminisms
BLS 470 Black Brazil: Racism & Resistance
