The Black Studies Minor Curriculum
Core Courses - 20 hrs (* indicates an INST substitute in 2007-9 catalog)
BLST 100 Introduction to Black Studies- 5 hrs
Overview of the field of Black Studies and of the black experience. Sociological, historical, cultural and political themes and issues will be systematically considered. The course is a required introduction to the Black Studies interdisciplinary minor, and it can also be taken by any student as a Sociology elective. (formerly SOCL 130)
HIST 261* Introduction to African American History 5 hrs
This course is an introduction to African American history. Students will study the political and social history of the African-American community, from its roots in Africa, through the period of slavery, to the struggle for civil rights in the present day. We will discuss issues of race, class, gender and location as we sample the rich diversity of African American history and culture, using film, literature and the arts.
ENGL 230* African American Literature 5 hrs
An exploration of the tradition of African-American literature from slave narratives to the present. The course includes intensive study of at least one major author in this tradition. Alternates with ENGL 334. Designed for non-majors as well as majors.
SOCL 260* Sociology of the Black Experience 5 hrs.
A sociological study of the social, cultural and political interactions of African Americans and the African American community with other segments of America�s diverse, multi-cultural and pluralistic society and of the African diaspora.
and Elective Courses if you began in the 2005-7 catalog - 10 hrs
BLST 490 Internship - 1-5 hrs
Internships are individually arranged and available to qualified students upon submission of a written proposal. Application to the Black Studies coordinator must be made during the term preceding the one in which the internship would begin.
ART 250 SURVEY OF GLOBAL ART - 3 hrs 
Study of selected cultures with an emphasis on the role of art and its relationship to other aspects of life. Cultures may include Native Arts of the Americas, Africa and Asia.
ECON 440 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH - 5 hrs (alt.yrs.)
A study of the forces and institutions affecting the Third World countries, including an examination of the leading economic development theories. Prereq: ECON 210 and 220 and junior or senior standing.
EDUC 360 MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION - 2 hrs
Curriculum planning and teaching strategies for culturally diverse student needs. Racism, sexism, diverse learning styles and linguistic variation will be examined. Five clinical hours are included. Prereq: EDUC 200 or 220. Teacher candidates must achieve a grade of C or better.
ENGL 334 The Harlem Renaissance 5 hrs
In Autumn 2008, ENGL 325.01 may be considered a substitute for ENGL 334
MUSC 275 Popular Music Styles 2 hrs (see MUSC 339)
MUSC 339 AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC - 5 hrs
A music literature course for music majors and non-majors surveying the breadth of American popular music from ragtime, jazz, the blues, to country music, rock and roll and its later styles.
PSYC 275 MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
This course introduces students in psychology and related disciplines to multiculturalism. The course will use the experiences of specific co-cultural groups such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans to study cultural pluralism in the United States. The history, cultural attitudes, beliefs, and worldviews of these groups will be studied, highlighting similarities, differences, and experiences in the United States. Topics include ethnic identity development, acculturation, assimilation, and institutional racism. Essential to the course is an examination of theoretical and empirical work addressing the psychological consequences of living in a culture with the principles, ideals, and values nested in a Western worldview. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.
SOCL 210 Social Problems 5 hrs
Sociological approaches to the study of selected social problems in American society and the global community. Includes critical analysis of the political economy, institutional and individual sources of inequality and deviance. Topics range across such issues as environmental degradation, racism, sexism, homophobia, poverty, health care crises, immigration and substance abuse. Observation and research in the field are encouraged. Prereq: SOCL 120
SOCL 300 Racial and Ethnic Relations 5 hrs
A study of racial and ethnic relations in United States society. Unique histories of numerous cultural groups. Theories and cultural dynamics of prejudice and intergroup relations. Patterns of discrimination in law, education, employment, housing, health and the media. Prereq: SOCL 120 and junior standing or permission of the instructor. Prior completion of SOCL 210 is recommended.
SOCL 325 Sociology of Family Diversity 5 hrs
Seminar on the diversity of contemporary families including theory and research requirements. The links between families and work, and changing family composition and gender patterns analyzed. Films, speakers for gay lesbian, Asian, Africa American, Arab, etc. may be included. Prereq: SOCL 120 or permission of the instructor.
SOCL 360 Dimensions of Black Intellectual Thought 5 hrs
This advanced course in Black Studies addresses the black experience from a critical perspective. Analysis of theoretical ideas applicable to the work of black scholars will be included. Critical skills will be used to challenge thinking about difference. Research materials will be applied to awareness about global relations, and roles in these relations.
SOCL 380 Urban Society 5 hrs
A study of the development of cities and the nature of social life in contemporary urban society. A focus on problems and solutions characteristic of diverse metropolitan communities in the U.S. and around the world. The course includes field trips and the opportunity to do scholarly research. Prereq: SOCL 120. Prior completion of SOCL 210 is recommended.
and Elective Courses if you began in 2007-9 catalog - 10 hrs
BLST 490 Internship - 1-5 hrs
Internships are individually arranged and available to qualified students upon submission of a written proposal. Application to the Black Studies coordinator must be made during the term preceding the one in which the internship would begin.
ART 250 SURVEY OF GLOBAL ART - 3 hrs 
Study of selected cultures with an emphasis on the role of art and its relationship to other aspects of life. Cultures may include Native Arts of the Americas, Africa and Asia.
ECON 440 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH - 5 hrs (alt.yrs.)
A study of the forces and institutions affecting the Third World countries, including an examination of the leading economic development theories. Prereq: ECON 210 and 220 and junior or senior standing.
EDUC 360 MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION - 2 hrs
Curriculum planning and teaching strategies for culturally diverse student needs. Racism, sexism, diverse learning styles and linguistic variation will be examined. Five clinical hours are included. Prereq: EDUC 200 or 220. Teacher candidates must achieve a grade of C or better.
ENGL 334 The Harlem Renaissance 5 hrs
In Autumn 2008, ENGL 325.01 may be considered a substitute for ENGL 334. ENGL 325 STUDIES IN LITERATURE AND CULTURE - 5 hrs
Intensive study of the intersection of literature and culture at particular historical moments. Topics change annually, and may focus on a period (e.g., the 18th century, the Romantic period), a movement (e.g., American naturalism, postmodernism), or a topic (e.g., literature and the Holocaust, the city in Victorian literature). Prereq.: two from ENGL 210, 215, 220, 250, 255; or permission of the instructor. May be repeated once for credit when offered with a different topic.
MUSC 275 Popular Music Styles 2 hrs (see MUSC 339)
MUSC 339* American Popular Music 5 hrs
A music literature course for music majors and non-majors surveying the breadth of American popular music from ragtime, jazz, the blues, to country music, rock and roll and its later styles.
PSYC 275 MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY - 5 hrs
This course introduces students in psychology and related disciplines to multiculturalism. The course will use the experiences of specific co-cultural groups such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans to study cultural pluralism in the United States. The history, cultural attitudes, beliefs, and worldviews of these groups will be studied, highlighting similarities, differences, and experiences in the United States. Topics include ethnic identity development, acculturation, assimilation, and institutional racism. Essential to the course is an examination of theoretical and empirical work addressing the psychological consequences of living in a culture with the principles, ideals, and values nested in a Western worldview. Prereq: PSYC 100 or permission of instructor.
SOCL 210 Social Problems 5 hrs
Sociological approaches to the study of selected social problems in American society and the global community. Includes critical analysis of the political economy, institutional and individual sources of inequality and deviance. Topics range across such issues as environmental degradation, racism, sexism, homophobia, poverty, health care crises, immigration and substance abuse. Observation and research in the field are encouraged. Prereq: SOCL 120
SOCL 300 Racial and Ethnic Relations 5 hrs
A study of racial and ethnic relations in United States society. Unique histories of numerous cultural groups. Theories and cultural dynamics of prejudice and intergroup relations. Patterns of discrimination in law, education, employment, housing, health and the media. Prereq: SOCL 120 and junior standing or permission of the instructor. Prior completion of SOCL 210 is recommended.
SOCL 325 Sociology of Family Diversity 5 hrs
Seminar on the diversity of contemporary families including theory and research requirements. The links between families and work, and changing family composition and gender patterns analyzed. Films, speakers for gay lesbian, Asian, Africa American, Arab, etc. may be included. Prereq: SOCL 120 or permission of the instructor.
SOCL 360 Dimension of Black Intellectual Thought 5 hrs
This advanced course in Black Studies addresses the black experience from a critical perspective. Analysis of theoretical ideas applicable to the work of black scholars will be included. Critical skills will be used to challenge thinking about difference. Research materials will be applied to awareness about global relations, and roles in these relations.
SOCL 380 Urban Sociology 5 hrs
A study of the development of cities and the nature of social life in contemporary urban society. A focus on problems and solutions characteristic of diverse metropolitan communities in the U.S. and around the world. The course includes field trips and the opportunity to do scholarly research. Prereq: SOCL 120. Prior completion of SOCL 210 is recommended.
