Black Studies is an interdisciplinary minor that invites students to explore the breadth of the field. Classes provide students with in-depth exposure to the historical, cultural, political, economic and social development of the African Diaspora. Through a variety of humanities and social sciences approaches, students will explore the history and foundation of Black Studies while also building the critical thinking skills to apply what they learn to topics in a variety of disciplines. A minor in Black Studies prepares students for a global future providing them with an understanding of a key demographic of the US and world.
The minor in Black studies at DU offers:
Opportunities to build your understanding of the Africana and Diasporic through a wide range of perspectives and disciplines, from anthropology, economics, education, history, history of art, international studies, literature, music, political science, sociology, and writing.
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An approach that provides you with tools to analyze the ancestries, foundations, and issues of forced or chosen migration, decolonization, political economy, anti-Black racism, institutional power, oppression, resistance, and liberation.
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A focus on exploring communities of inquiry of the Black experiences and the African continent and Diaspora, within and beyond the University of Denver.
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Enhancement of what you learn in your major program of study to support future graduate work and professional development.
Degree Requirements
- To minor in Black studies, you will need to complete 20 credits, including two required courses (BLST 2150 Introduction to Black Studies, WRIT 3600 Black Studies Capstone) and three electives.
- Your three elective courses must come from a minimum of two departments/schools, and no more than four credit hours may be at the 1000 level.
See the DU Bulletin for a full list of electives and full degree requirements.
Featured Courses
BLST 2150
Introduction to Black Studies
About this Course
Black Studies began in 1968 as a discipline dedicated to understanding and improving the lived experience of Africans and African Americans. It started with the intention of providing a safe space for Black students to exercise their intellectual creativity, while engaging in accurate portrayals of the Black experience. Introduction to Black Studies is designed for all students as a cornerstone for the Black Studies minor. This course introduces students to the breadth and depth of Black Studies as a discipline, using primary and secondary sources. Introduction to Black Studies uses historical, interdisciplinary, intersectional, and transnational grounding in the study of Black people. Focused primarily on the U.S., this course examines current theories, methods, and goals in Black Studies while allowing students to delve into some of Black Studies’ most current and exciting scholarship. In this course, students will think about what freedom and democracy have meant to African American people in the United States, and the ways that they have creatively expressed these meanings over time. This interdisciplinary introduction to Black Studies combines the teaching of foundational texts in the field while reinforcing skills in reading and writing learned throughout the quarter. The course will also meet the requirements for AI/SC. This course will also be cross listed with departmental courses from the multiple programs with courses that align with the Black Studies minor ( i.e. ENGL 2xxx, HIST 2xxx, and RLGS 2xxx).
WRIT 3600
Black Studies Capstone
About this Course
This capstone course is designed for students completing the Minor in Black Studies at the University of Denver. The primary goal of this course is to create an original capstone project that demonstrates synthesis of their study in the field and deepens their skills in research. Black Studies minors should plan to enroll in BLST 3XXX after completing all course work for the minor. As part of this capstone course, each student will complete a capstone project, of their own design, that explores some aspect of Black/African American life, history, culture, or experience. This course encourages creative capstone projects that allow students to present their work in a form other than the standard written thesis model. This course will guide the capstone projects for students conducting intensive research on topics in Black Studies. Drawing from disciplinary and interdisciplinary methodologies, theories, and concepts in the humanities and social sciences, capstone project topics will cover broadly defined themes in Black Studies such as the effects of Atlantic slavery on the United States, the Americas, Africa, and Europe; the Black freedom struggle in the United States; and women, gender, and sexuality in Black America. Through a collaborative learning process, students will define clear project objectives, refine their analytical skills, effectively engage major issues in their research materials, and make critical intellectual interventions. Students will be encouraged to critically explore topics from courses they have taken in Black Studies and related disciplines as topics for their capstone research projects.
