Black Studies Program

The curriculum of the Black Studies Program focuses on the U.S. as it is relates specifically
to the Africa and African diaspora societies.  With this focus, students study the historical,
sociological, and cultural aspects of these various worlds and their relationship with one
another and controlling forces among them.  Highlighted are Black achievements and the
creative contributions in all fields throughout the world.  With this background, both
Black students and students from other cultures and races can gain a new-found appreciation
for this heritage as well as a better understanding of the framework in which ongoing struggles
are still taking place.

The Black Studies Program (BLST) is concerned with Africa and the African diaspora
communities, with a special focus on the U.S. as it is related to the Black world. The learning
outcomes based on the program’s curriculum for majors are knowledge of the main
theories, events, and/or issues associated with 

• the history, sociocultural dynamics, and problems and possibilities in the Black world
• theories of oppression based on race, color, socioeconomic class, gender, and
  sexuality along with their interrelationships, as well as practical ways to struggle
  against these types of oppression
• the history and future of science and technology originating inside and outside of the
  Black world
• the political economies of Black world societies in the global context
• personal finance, entrepreneurship, strategies for success, and strategies for
  defining success
• the history of black achievement
• the history and creative output of black peoples in the literary, visual, musical, and
  performing arts

With these outcomes, the program’s mission is twofold:

• to provide an intellectual setting in which students from the Black world can grow and
  develop into productive lifelong learners, citizens, and activists seeking to improve
  their communities, their nations, and the world

• to provide an intellectual setting in which students from all communities can gain a
  knowledge of the Black world, assisting them in confronting diversity in their
  development into productive, lifelong learners, citizens, and activists seeking to
  improve their communities, their nations, and the world

Subject Matter Areas

•      Black World Development
•      Business, Science & Technology
•      African American Society
•      Latin American & Caribbean Cultures
•      Special Topics & Independent Studies

Geopolitical Areas

•      Africa
•      The Americas
•      The Caribbean