Black Studies (Interdisciplinary Minor)

The Black Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program administered by the office of the Black Studies Program. Courses are offered in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Science, and the College of Urban Affairs. Since a majority of the courses are offered in departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the minor in Black Studies is granted by this college. Courses to fulfill the requirements for a minor in Black Studies are to be selected from the 84 Black Studies courses listed below which are offered by 20 different departments within the four colleges.

The scope of the Black Studies courses encompasses the study of the history, geography, experiences, contribution, and lifestyles of peoples of African descent. It also covers the myriad aspects and manifestations of the arts and cultures of African peoples on the continent of Africa, and persons of African descent in the United States of America, and in other areas of the African Diaspora.

Students majoring in any discipline may pursue a minor in Black Studies. Upon graduation, students of Black Studies are welcomed into a variety of occupations and graduate and professional schools. Based on data collected by the National Council of Black Studies, Black Studies graduates do particularly well in social service areas, sales, and media communications. There is evidence that students in Black Studies receive substantive aid in their preparation for advanced graduate studies in law, education, social work, public administration, international affairs, social policy analysis, and other areas of study.

Students electing to minor in Black Studies are to inform the director of Black Studies of their intention as early as possible by completing the Declaration or Change of Minor form and submitting it to the director. The director of Black Studies, members of the Black Studies professional staff and/or designated instructors of Black Studies courses shall serve as advisers to students who elect a minor in Black Studies.

Required Courses:

The Black Studies minor requires that 24 semester credit hours be taken in courses designated as Black Studies courses.

  1. The Black Studies minor requires that three core courses be taken from those designated as I, II and III below (one from each category).
    1. Introduction to Black Studies. One of the following courses is to be elected.
      1. ANT 270 African-American Culture
      2. BST 200 Introduction to Black Studies
      3. ENG 207 African-American Literature
      4. REL 217 Religion in Black America
      5. SOC 382 African American Communities
      6. SWK 150 The Black Experience and Contemporary Society
    2. HIS 175 Introduction to African History
    3. African-American Culture. One of the following courses is to be elected:
      1. COM 388 The Rhetoric of Black America
      2. HIS 215 The History of African-Americans to 1877
      3. HIS 216 The History of African-Americans Since 1877
      4. PSC 217 Urban Politics and the African-American Experience
  2. A minimum of 12 credit hours shall be selected from Black Studies courses at the 300-level or higher.
  3. Black Studies courses selected to fulfill the requirement of a minor in Black Studies shall be selected from a minimum of three different departments or disciplines.
  4. Transfer students planning to minor in Black Studies shall complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in Black Studies courses at Cleveland State University. For transfer students, a minimum of 9 credit hours of upper-level courses shall be completed at Cleveland State University. The transfer of Black Studies credits is subject to the approval of the director of Black Studies or of a person or persons designated by the director.

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