Black Studies Academic Programs

All of the following courses must come from the approved list in the catalog or be approved by the Africana/ Black Studies coordinator.  They must all be grounded in the field of Africana/ Black Studies.  Look for the approved courses every semester.  See Africana/ Black Studies coordinator for advising (Maria Lima, English and Susana Castillo-Rodriguez, Global Languages and Cultures).

Black Studies Major

Requirements (39 credits):

At least two courses course each in History and English; at least one course in Anthropology; at least one class with an additional prefix (other than English, History, Anthropology); at least three classes at the 300-level; and a six-credit (two-semester) directed study capstone.

Disciplinary distribution:                

  • Anthropology
  • History
  • History
  • English
  • English

Additional African Studies courses:

  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Additional prefix
  • Blks399: Capstone
  • Blks399: Capstone: subtitle


Course level distribution: (Identify three 300-level courses.  Can come from those listed above, except for capstone.  Capstone courses cannot count toward the required three 300-level courses.)

  • 300-Level Elective
  • 300-Level Elective
  • 300-Level Elective

Africana Studies Minor

At least one course each in Anthropology, History, and English; at least four courses at the 200-level; at least one course at the 300 or 400-level; at least one course with an African or African Diaspora focus outside the U.S.; and at least one class with an African-American focus.

(Because courses can fit more than one category, there will be duplication between the top and bottom lists):

Disciplinary distribution

  • Anthropology
  • History
  • English

Additional Africana courses:

  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Course level distribution:       

  • 200-Level Elective
  • 200-Level Elective
  • 200-Level Elective
  • 200-Level Elective
  • 300 or 400-Level Elective

Geographical distribution: