Black studies is a truly interdisciplinary program; it includes history, the social sciences, and the humanities. It is also international and therefore allows for the study of Black history and culture not only in Africa or the United States, but throughout the African Diaspora in all parts of the world. As such it is completely inclusive of the Black experience.
The minor program provides students with the opportunity to critically examine the black experience in relationship to both historical and contemporary issues that have shaped and continue to shape the various communities they are a part of: neighborhoods, cities, states, nations and the world. There is no major available in Black studies.
4.00
An interdisciplinary introduction to the basic concepts and literature in the disciplines covered by Black Studies. It includes history, philosophy, psychology and other disciplines, as well as a conceptual framework for the investigation and analysis of Black history and culture.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
This course will provide an introduction to basic research techniques and methods including library use, identifying resources, project development, documenting sources, and writing research papers.
Occasional
Social Science
No more than two courses may be taken from any one department outside of Black Studies.
4.00
This seminar will introduce students to Wolof, the dominant language in Senegal, West Africa. Students will learn about Senegalese culture while acquiring the basics of the language and developing beginning conversational skills.
Offered Spring Term
4.00
This seminar will introduce students to resources and techniques in African American genealogy. During the seminar students will explore methods of applying genealogical research to the larger African American and American story by working on an African American genealogy project. Note: This course is identical to HST 169. Normally offered by request.
Occasional
Humanities & History
4.00
Participants will be introduced to sabar music and dance of Senegal through a study of music, dance, language and history. Each area will be taught by professional practitioners of the sabar tradition to develop a sense of how music and dance are used in both traditional and popular contexts. This course will be directed by Prof. Robert A. Bellinger. Cultural Diversity B
Offered Spring Term
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Social Science
4.00
This is a research seminar designed to give students the opportunity to explore the rich yet difficult history of busing in Boston, and develop their research skills by using material on Bostons school desegregation in the Moakley archives. Research will be augmented by discussions with local figures who were involved in the events of the era. Class time will be divided between classroom meetings and work in the archives with the documents. Students will be responsible for a final project based on their work in the archives. This course is identical to HST 299. Normally offered by request.
Occasional
Social Science,Humanities & History
4.00
This is a research seminar designed to give students the opportunity to explore the rich yet difficult history of busing in Boston, and develop their research skills by using the material on Bostons school desegregation in the Moakley archives. This will be augmented by discussions with local figures who were also involved in the events of the era. Class time will be divided between classroom meetings and work in the archives with the documents. Students will be responsible for a final project based on their work in the archives. This course is identical to BLKST 299.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
This class is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the reconstruction era by working with the microfilm of the Freedmens Bureau papers. To accomplish this there will be a classroom component and an on-site component. In the classroom component, students will be introduced to the reconstruction era and its history. In the on-site component students will work with the microfilmed copies of the Freedmens Bureau papers. Class meetings will be divided between the Suffolk University campus and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) site in Waltham, MA. This course is identical to HST 469. Normally offered as requested.
Occasional
Social Science
4.00
This class is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the Reconstruction era by working with the microfilm of the Freedmens Bureau papers. To accomplish this there will be a classroom component and an on-site component. In the classroom component, students will be introduced to the Reconstruction era and its history. In the on-site component students will work with the microfilmed copies of the Freedmens Bureau papers. Class meetings will be divided between the Suffolk University campus and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) site in Waltham, MA. This course is identical to BLKST 469.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
An independent study form must be submitted to the CAS Deans Office.
4.00
Independent study in Black Studies
ENG 213, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 216, ENG 217, or ENG 218
4.00
African-American writing from the beginning through the present. Normally offered alternate years. Cultural Diversity A
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt A
GVT 110 and GVT 120
4.00
The political development of Africa in colonial and post-colonial periods. Analysis of the evolution of governmental institutions includes economic, social and personal factors; political forces at work in present day Africa. Not open to freshmen. Normally offered alternate years. Cultural Diversity B
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Social Science
4.00
This course will explore the history of Africa from prehistoric times to the nineteenth century to give students an introduction to African Studies and a sense of Africas place in world history. Topics include: the Nile Valley civilizations, West African empires, the trans-Saharan trade, the slave trade, the spread and impact of Islam. Cultural Diversity B
Offered Fall Term
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
This course will explore the history of Africa from prehistoric times to the nineteenth century to give students an introduction to African Studies and a sense of Africas place in world history. Topics include: the Nile Valley civilizations, West African empires, the trans-Saharan trade, the slave trade, the spread and impact of Islam. Cultural Diversity B
Offered Fall Term
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
This course will cover the history of Africa from 1800 to the present and enable students to develop an understanding of issues that affect the relationship between modern Africa and the world. Topics include: the African tradition; the impact of Islam and Christianity, abolition of the slave trade, European imperialism and colonialism, African independence movements, African nationalism, Pan Africanism. Cultural Diversity B
Offered Spring Term
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
Compares and analyzes the history of race and politics in South Africa and the United States from the 17th century to the present. Examines how race as a social and ideological construct influenced and informed political conflicts over land, labor, and social relations in the two countries including slavery, segregation, apartheid, and the struggle to create racial democracies. Cultural Diversity B
Offered Fall Term
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
This course will examine the history of Africans in the United States from their arrival in the colonies to the Civil War and the end of legal slavery. Topics include: the slave trade, the development of the slave system, African-Americans and the Declaration of Independence, and the abolition movement. Cultural Diversity A
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt A,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
This course will examine African American history from the end of slavery to the present. Topics include: Emancipation and Reconstruction, Reconstruction and the Constitution, the Exodusters, the Harlem Renaissance, Pan Africanism, the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power Movement, African-Americans at the turn of the twenty-first century. Cultural Diversity A
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt A,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
Black music has been one of the primary cultural factors in the United States. From the African roots to hip hop in the 21st century Black music has served as an expression of African American consciousness, providing commentary on many aspects of black life. This art form provides commentary on many aspects of black life including social and political. It has also been a major force in shaping the culture of the United States as a whole. As such it provides an excellent window for exploring the history of Black America as well as the history of all America. With the use of texts, videos, and recordings this class will examine the music of Black America in the context and communities in which it was created and performed, and also in relationship to the wider world. Cultural Diversity A
Occasional
Humanities & History,Cultural Diversity Opt A,Humanities Literature Requirement
Requires instructors consent to register
4.00
This class will introduce students to the richness of Senegalese culture and history, from the eleventh century to the modern era. Along with history, students will examine Senegals culture and customs through lectures, readings, music and film. In some years there will be a travel component connected with the class. Cultural Diversity B
Offered Spring Term
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
An examination of the dispersion of Africans to the Americas during the era of the slave trade and the establishment of New World communities of Africans and people of mixed descent. Topics include: the Slave Trade, comparative Slave Systems, Religion, Resistance and Revolutionary Movements, Return and Redemption Movements, Pan Africanism, Race and Class. Cultural Diversity A Cultural Diversity B
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Humanities & History,Cultural Diversity Opt A
ENG 213, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 216, ENG 217, or ENG 218
4.00
This course focuses upon the literary contributions of a selected number of major African-American authors. Normally offered every other year.
Cultural Diversity Opt A
Independent studies and research projects are also available through individual departments for students who want to include individual specialized research in the minor.
Students may complete some of the requirements for the Black Studies minor while doing study abroad. Arrangements for this should be made with the director of the Black Studies program.
Students wishing to minor in Black Studies should see the director of the Black Studies program and choose an advisor from the Black Studies Committee.
4.00
An interdisciplinary introduction to the basic concepts and literature in the disciplines covered by Black Studies. It includes history, philosophy, psychology and other disciplines, as well as a conceptual framework for the investigation and analysis of Black history and culture.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
This course will provide an introduction to basic research techniques and methods including library use, identifying resources, project development, documenting sources, and writing research papers.
Occasional
Social Science
4.00
This seminar will introduce students to Wolof, the dominant language in Senegal, West Africa. Students will learn about Senegalese culture while acquiring the basics of the language and developing beginning conversational skills.
Offered Spring Term
4.00
This seminar will introduce students to resources and techniques in African American genealogy. During the seminar students will explore methods of applying genealogical research to the larger African American and American story by working on an African American genealogy project. Note: This course is identical to HST 169. Normally offered by request.
Occasional
Humanities & History
4.00
Participants will be introduced to sabar music and dance of Senegal through a study of music, dance, language and history. Each area will be taught by professional practitioners of the sabar tradition to develop a sense of how music and dance are used in both traditional and popular contexts. This course will be directed by Prof. Robert A. Bellinger. Cultural Diversity B
Offered Spring Term
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Social Science
4.00
This is a research seminar designed to give students the opportunity to explore the rich yet difficult history of busing in Boston, and develop their research skills by using material on Bostons school desegregation in the Moakley archives. Research will be augmented by discussions with local figures who were involved in the events of the era. Class time will be divided between classroom meetings and work in the archives with the documents. Students will be responsible for a final project based on their work in the archives. This course is identical to HST 299. Normally offered by request.
Occasional
Social Science,Humanities & History
4.00
This class is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the reconstruction era by working with the microfilm of the Freedmens Bureau papers. To accomplish this there will be a classroom component and an on-site component. In the classroom component, students will be introduced to the reconstruction era and its history. In the on-site component students will work with the microfilmed copies of the Freedmens Bureau papers. Class meetings will be divided between the Suffolk University campus and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) site in Waltham, MA. This course is identical to HST 469. Normally offered as requested.
Occasional
Social Science
An independent study form must be submitted to the CAS Deans Office.
4.00
Independent study in Black Studies
