The Department of Black Studies offers students a BA degree and a minor with a concentration in either African Studies or Black Studies.  Providing students the opportunity to study the histories, philosophies, religions, economies, politics, aesthetics and social experiences of Africa and her diaspora, Black Studies unapologetically facilitates the creation of a self conscious body of capable and committed intellectuals who choose to use their knowledge in the service of the African American community, and by consequence and extention, in the interest of a new and better society and world.  

A degree in Black Studies therefore equips students not only with the skills to contribute to augmenting humanity’s understanding of itself, using the African experience as a pragmatic example of human struggle and achievement, but the agency to critique, resist and reverse one of the greatest problems of our time, the progressive Europeanization of human consciousness. 

Black Studies Core Requirements for B.A.

Black Studies majors must complete 30 hours of coursework in the discipline. BLST 3980 and BLST 4900 may each be selected twice and applied to the appropriate focus. At least 18 hours must be taken at the upper division level. The Black Studies major may be earned by completing the following requirements:

BLST 1000 Introduction to Black Studies

BLST 2100 Black American Culture

BLST 1260 Survey of Black Literature

BLST 2410 African American History to 1865 or

BLST 2420 Afro American History Since 1865

The remaining 18 hours of upper division courses (3000-4000 level) shall be elected by students in accordance with their interests.

African Studies Core Requirements for B.A.

The Black Studies major may earn an emphasis in African Studies by completing the following requirements:

BLST 1000 Introduction to Black Studies

BLST 1050 Ancient African Civilization

BLST 1340 Introduction to Contemporary Africa

BLST 4700 African Philosophy

The remaining 18 hours of upper division courses (3000-4000 level) shall be elected by students in accordance with their interests.

Black Studies Minor

A Black Studies minor may be obtained by successful completion of 15 credit hours, of which at least 9 hours must be upper division (3000-4000 level).