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Black Studies Minor

Historical experiences of peoples in Africa and the Black Diaspora

The minor in Black Studies allows students to explore a wide range of topics related to the experiences of African Americans and of people throughout the Black Diaspora, for example: folklore, slavery, colonization, liberation movements, literary traditions, rise/fall of ancient African civilizations, the arts, educational disparity, healthcare, mass incarceration, and identity politics.

The minor reflects the dual focus of the Center for Black Studies, which promotes classroom instruction and service-learning opportunities that increase students’ knowledge and community involvement with a critical awareness of race, systemic racism, and social justice. 

 

What Will I learn?

Taking courses across the disciplines, students will learn about:

• Cultural histories that link the present socioeconomic and political conditions of Black people to past experiences

• The creation of a Black Diaspora by forces of migration, immigration, slavery, and colonization

• The relationship between African Americans and other ethnic groups

• Race as a form of structural inequality that systematically affects Black people and other racial minorities

Course Spotlight

BLKS 491 explores the intersection of knowledge and community through theory and practice. You will engage in a community service-learning project, in partnership with a local agency, that aims to address systemic inequalities and enhance living conditions for Black communities and beyond. Each course collaborates with Community Partners to facilitate meaningful engagement.

Career Pathways

A minor in Black Studies can be paired with any major and can be achieved by integrating your studies with careful planning of the curriculum.  

• It helps you broaden your perception of cultural diversity and gain a deeper understanding of how race relates to class, gender and sexuality, nationality, ethnicity and other social structures.
• USM alums with a minor in Black Studies have launched their careers in teaching, journalism, criminal justice, and politics, among other areas. They were well-prepared to meet the challenges of graduate studies at top-ranked institutions in the nation.

 

Availability