The African American & Black Diaspora Studies program provides an introduction to the study of peoples of African descent as well as the cultural products and insights gained from their experiences. The courses focus on Black people in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the circum-Atlantic world. Courses are designed to make students aware of the complexities of these experiences and to explore connections and differences between peoples of African descent, other Americans, and global populations. It provides a broad interdisciplinary and comparative perspective to deepen understandings of Black life, cultures, and histories; the historical development and societal impact of racial thought; the place of Black people in modern society and political economy; genealogies of Black thought, political action, and expressive culture; and the imbrication of Black people within grids of racialization, gender, sexuality, social class, and nation, both historically and today.
Requirements
The minor requires a total of six 4-credit courses, completed with a grade of C or higher. Students are allowed to count two AA courses towards another concentration. Use this planning sheet to keep track of your required coursework.
Three required courses:
- CAS AA 112 Black Power in the Classroom: The History of Black Studies
- CAS AA 207 A1 Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
- CAS AA 371 African American History
Three elective courses:
- Three additional courses in African American Studies (AA) or approved electives. See Bulletin for course listings.
For more information on becoming a minor in African American Studies, please contact Dr. Mary Anne Boelcskevy, Director of Undergraduate Studies by email mboelcsk@bu.edu