Degree Requirements

Black Studies Major

A Black Studies major requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. This 36 credit hours includes all of the required courses and at least four credits earned by completing a senior research project.  The senior research project should be designed in consultation with the director of Black Studies. The senior research project may be either a one semester or a full year project. Because Black Studies is an interdisciplinary field, the senior research may be cross-listed with senior research in another discipline. Field research or field experience may comprise a portion of the senior research project. A wide range of field opportunities in local Black communities is available to students through the Center for Black Studies.

There are five courses required of a major in Black Studies, plus four credits of senior research:

1.  Required courses in Black Studies:

2.  WGST:  A required course in Women's and Gender Studies, preferably on Black women.  While any Women's and Gender Studies Course may be used to fulfill this requirement, students ideally should choose a course that includes a discussion of topics about Black women.

3.  A Required Black Studies course in which the primary subject matter is Africa or the Caribbean and Latin America.

4.  Three Electives:  Students must also take three elective courses in Black Studies.  They may choose any courses offered by or cross-listed in Black Studies.

5.  Senior Research:  In addition to the eight courses (five core courses and three electives), students must complete at least four credits of senior research in the form of a directed study which seeks to correlate Black Studies with some aspect of the student's major field.  To complete senior research students majoring in Black Studies must register for BLST 451 - Senior Research (fall) or BLST 452 - Senior Research (spring).  Year-long projects require students to register for BLST 451 - Senior Research in fall and BLST 452 - Senior Research in spring.

Black Studies Minor

The minor in Black Studies requires a minimum of 24 credit hours.

1.  Students who wish to be awarded a minor in Black Studies must complete the required five courses plus four credits of senior research.  These courses include the three listed below plus a course in Women's and Gender Studies and a course on Africa or Latin America and the Caribbean:

2.  WGST:  A course in Women's and Gender Studies, preferably on Black women.  While any Women's and Gender Studies course may be used to fulfill this requirement, students ideally should choose a course that includes a discussion of topics about Black women.

3.  A Black Studies course in which the primary subject matter is Africa or the Caribbean and Latin America.

4.  Senior Research:  In addition to the five courses above, students must complete at least four credits of senior research in the form of a directed study which seeks to correlate Black Studies with some aspect of the student's major field.  To complete senior research students minoring in Black Studies must register for BLST 361 - Directed Study (fall) or BLST 362 - Directed Study (spring).  Year-long projects require students to register for BLST 361 - Directed Study in fall and BLST 362 - Directed Study in spring.