Black World Studies

The minor in Black World Studies offers students contextual depth in the social, cultural, historical, and political aspects of the varied peoples of the black world. Students will be able to challenge the concept and definition of "blackness" and will also be able to examine patterns of activism that characterize the creative expression, social fabric, political movements, and the scholarship of the black world. With a Black World Studies minor, students have a chance to develop and demonstrate their interest in the history, culture and arts of people of African descent and other black people all over the world.

In addition, this minor encourages students to question the very notion of "blackness" by looking at "blackness" as a problematic identity construct, a political signifier, and a metaphor for social marginalization, which is a part of emerging discourses in a variety of fields and disciplines throughout the world. With a final workshop on community activism, this minor sets itself apart from other programs that offer majors and minors in Black Studies. In these ways, Columbia College 's approach to Black World Studies is cutting edge. This minor ensures that those students whose art and work touches on any aspect of the black world will be better equipped to contextualize their works so that they will be substantive, complex and accessible. Students must complete 19 credit hours to fulfill this minor.

Specifically, by the end of this minor a student should be able to:

•  recognize and critique the artistic expression and political legacies of black peoples around the world

•  have a broad understanding of the history and culture of Africa and the African Diaspora

•  describe the development and history of the field of Black Studies

•  explain the connections and distinctions that exist amongst people of African descent and other black peoples

•  relate their study of black peoples around the world to their own experiences

•  practically utilize the important political, artistic, and intellectual knowledge discussed in various courses of the minor