A.A. Degree: Black Studies
Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Associate's Degree in two years. Your path may look different depending on your circumstances?for example, if you attend part-time, choose to take Intersession or Summer courses, or have earned prior credit (Credit for Prior Learning, Dual Enrollment, Transfer Credit). The plan includes four semesters, each with an average course load of 15 units, and follows the Plan 1 General Education pattern. You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.
The Associate in Arts Degree in Black Studies is intended to provide students with a comparative, trans-disciplinary, multisectoral, and multidimensional analysis of the experiences of persons of African descent in the United States. Students will analyze issues relating to the African/Black American community while developing a critical understanding of American society's African/Black American communities.
Students study the social, cultural, political, economic, and historical narrative of African/Black American communities in the United States to critically analyze issues distinct to race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, religion, spirituality, national origin, immigration status, ability, and/or age while developing a consciousness of the cultural pluralism in American society.
This degree's primary purpose is to present the African/Black American narrative due to being excluded from the overall American experience, American identity, and American definition. The degree provides insight into how African/Black American endured the "American Experience" based on hierarchy, oppression, racialization, ethnocentrism, Eurocentrism, and White supremacy and their continued resistance, social justice, liberation, progression, evolution, healing, resiliency, emphasizing agency and self-affirmation.
Students will apply a trans-disciplinary approach to the study of African/Black Americans.
Students shall analyze and evaluate the social, cultural, and political concepts central to the experiences of African/Black Americans.
Students will assess the historical, literary, and artistic contributions of African/Black Americans to American society and culture.
Students shall compare and contrast the various approaches and methodologies employed to study the experiences of African/Black Americans.
Students will analyze the concepts of economic empowerment and self-determination in relation to the African/Black American community.
Students shall analyze the impact of public policy on the African/Black American family, past and present.
Students shall develop and foster research techniques founded on anti-oppressive,anti-racist, anti-colonial, anti-suppressive, and anti-repressive methodologies for participatory research within the African/Black American communities.
Students will actively engage with anti-oppressive, anti-racist, anti-colonial, anti-suppressive, anti-repressive, self-determination, liberation, decolonization, sovereignty, and resiliency issues to create practices and movements founded on these ideals within the African/Black American communities.
Students willexamine trends in the organization of Black Studies, patterns in courses on the Black experience, African American Studies, the African American experience, issues of Afro-centricity, Africology, Black Power, et cetera.
Students shall developan awareness of resistance, social justice, liberation, progression, evolution, healing, resiliency, emphasizing agency, and self-affirmation.
Program Map
Getting Started
Comprehensive Education Plan: You are required to meet with a counselor for a comprehensive educational plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor in your first semester.
First Semester
Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
Plan 1: 6. Ethnic Studies
Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
Plan 2: 6. Ethnic Studies
To maximize your Promise Program benefits and support your academic, career, and personal development goals, consider taking CNSL 100 or CNSL 116.
Second Semester
Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Intermediate algebra or equivalent, or a qualifying profile based on multiple measures
Plan 2: 2. Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
Third Semester
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000H
Plan 2: 3B. Humanities