Black Studies

The Academic Program

Course Minor

All interdisciplinary minors in Black Studies are required to take BLST 015: Introduction to Black Studies, ordinarily during their first two years, and four additional courses listed in the catalog that earn Black Studies credit. Honors minors must complete a two-credit honors thesis as one of these additional courses. Of these four additional courses, at least one of them must be outside of the departmental major, and no more than one course may be taken outside of Swarthmore. To be accepted into the minor a GPA of 3.0 in Black Studies related courses will be required. We strongly advise students to take a course in African or African diasporic history.

Honors Minor

Honors minors must meet all requirements of the course minor. Students participating in the Honors Program are invited to define a minor in the Black Studies Program.  Honors minors in Black Studies must complete a two-credit preparation for their honors portfolio to be submitted to external examiners. The following options apply:

1) A two-credit honors thesis written under program supervision,

2) A one credit thesis paired with a BLST course,

3) A two-credit honors seminar that counts toward the BLST Program, or

4) The pairing of two one-credit courses that count toward the BLST Program.

Special Major

Students preferring more intensive work in Black Studies are welcome to design a special major by consulting with the program’s coordinator, usually during sophomore year. The special major includes the requirements for the minor plus 5 additional credits, one of which usually includes a cap stone experience to be decided upon in consultation with the program’s coordinator.

Thesis / Culminating Exercise

Students may complete a one-credit course thesis (BLST 091) as part of the Black Studies minor or special major.  Permission will be granted only after consultation with the Black Studies coordinator and committee.  Approval must be secured by the spring of junior year.

Application Process Notes for the Major or the Minor

Students in any department may add an interdisciplinary minor in Black Studies to their departmental major by fulfilling the requirements stated subsequently. Applications for admission to the interdisciplinary minor should be made in the spring semester of the sophomore year through MYSwarthmore. 

Life After Swarthmore

Students with a background in black studies have pursued a number of paths after graduation. Some have worked in research, or social service organizations, while others have gone directly to graduate school. Many eventually become teachers or professors. Others work in the broadcasting, arts, journalism, international law, business, finance, or in non-governmental organizations. All consider black studies to have been an important part of their liberal arts education.

Black Studies Courses

Courses in the Black Studies Program are listed below. Courses of independent study, special attachments on subjects relevant to black studies, and courses offered by visiting faculty that are not regularly listed in the catalog may also qualify for credit in the program, subject to the approval of the Black Studies Committee. Students who wish to pursue these possibilities should consult with the program coordinator.

The following courses may be counted for credit in the Black Studies Program. Descriptions of the courses can be found in each department’s course listings in this catalog.