Black Studies Minor

To change the world, first you must understand it. The interdisciplinary field
of Black Studies focuses on the work, history, and experiences of African-
descended people—a global majority whose diverse perspectives and
contributions have long been underrepresented. Whether you take one
course or pursue a minor, you will gain insight into Black history and culture
in the United States and Africa, and throughout the African diaspora in all
parts of the world.

Black Studies Minor Requirements: 5 courses, 20 credits

Core Requirements (2 courses, 8 credits)

BLKST-100	Introduction to Black Studies I: Survey of the Discipline	4
BLKST-101	Introduction to Black Studies II Research and Writing	4

Electives (3 courses, 12 credits)

Choose three electives from among two categories.

Students in an Honors Program have the option of completing the Honors version of a course.

Category 1

Choose at least one elective from the list below.

BLKST-225	West African History Through Film and Literature	4
BLKST-226	Race, Economics, and Politics in Boston: 1950s to the Present	4
BLKST-228	The African American Experience in Literature and Film	4
BLKST-395	The History of Panafricanism	4

Category 2

Choose remaining electives from the list below.

Courses that are not included on the approved list may be considered for credit on a case-by-case basis.

CJN-303	Current Issues in Documentary	4
CJN-H303	Honors Current Issues in Documentary	4
CJN-315	Conflict, Negotiation, and Mediation	4
CJN-336	Social Identity and Intergroup Relations	4
CJN-482	Cultural Theory and Social Justice	4
CJU-204	Communities and Crime	4
CJU-207	Police and Society	4
CJU-233	Pathways Through the Criminal Justice System	4
CJU-H233	Honors Pathways Through the Criminal Justice System	4
ENG-151	Introduction to African-American Literature	4
ENG-221	Tactical Rhetoric: Advocacy & Activism, Propaganda & Power	4
ENG-355	African-American Nonfiction	4
ENG-357	African-American Literature	4
ENVS-211	Environmental and Human Health	3
ENVS-L211	Environmental and Human Health Laboratory	1
ENVS-301	Issues in Environmental Justice	4
HST-149	Empires and Globalization in World History I	4
HST-150	Empires and Globalization in World History II	4
HST-181	American Life to the Civil War Era	4
HST-182	American Life Since the Civil War Era	4
HST-271	African-American History 1619-1860	4
HST-272	African-American History from 1860	4
HST-319	The History of Black Music in America	4
PHIL-251	Philosophy of Race and Gender	4
PHIL-330	Africana Philosophy	4
POLS-181	Introduction to Comparative Politics	4
POLS-H181	Honors Introduction to Comparative Politics	4
POLS-225	U.S. Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties	4
POLS-279	Race, Ethnicity, and Politics	4
POLS-322	Race and the Law	4
POLS-361	Voting Rights and Election Law	4
POLS-H361	Honors Voting Rights and Election Law	4
POLS-383	African Politics	4
PSYCH-341	Sociocultural Perspectives on Behavior and Experience	4
SF-178	Sacred Hoops and Sneaker Pimps: Understanding the American Hoop Dream	4
SF-1190	Black Lives Matter: Past, Present, Future	4
SF-H1190	Honors Black Lives Matter: Past, Present, Future	4
SF-1197	The History of Rap, Hip Hop and Popular Culture	4
SF-1213	I Fought the Law and I Won: Debating 21st Century Civil Rights in the Law	4
SOC-221	Environment and Society	4
SOC-227	Race in American Society	4

Residency Requirement Policy: In the College of Arts and Sciences, a two-course (8 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for completion of a minor and a four-course (16 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for the completion of a major.

Minor Programs Policy: A student declaring a minor may use no more than two courses from a major or double major combination to fulfill the requirements for the minor. No more than one course from one minor may count toward the fulfillment of a second minor. Students may not minor in a subject in which they are also completing a major. For more information, see the Minor Programs section of the CAS Degree Requirements page.

About the Black Studies Minor

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this minor.

View the Program Page