African American Studies (Minor)

Deepen your understanding and appreciation.

The African American studies minor at Mary Baldwin uses an interdisciplinary approach to critically analyze, interpret, and research the history and culture of people of the African Diaspora. This minor provides resources for understanding African Americans and African-descended peoples in the broad context of cultural developments in the Americas generally and the United States specifically.

Students use theoretical and practical models drawn from African-American studies, history, philosophy, politics, literature, sociology, music, and the arts.

Degree(s)
Minor Only
Greater Things Dance Ministry

Why minor in African American Studies at Mary Baldwin?

A minor in African American Studies enriches your understanding of and appreciation for the history and culture of people of the African Diaspora. Through our interdisciplinary program, you will gain a more complex and nuanced understanding of nation, self, and community through your coursework and discussions with peers and faculty. The minor also helps prepare you to be a more inclusive, diversity-conscious leader in your future profession of choice.

Special Opportunities

  • For-credit internship opportunities that include local archival and oral history projects
  • Various community and campus-wide programming including Black Baby Doll Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight March and Memorial Service, and Kwanzaa and Black History Month programs
  • Quest: A co-curricular interfaith program with programming provided on campus through the Office of the Chaplain
MBU Common Reading 2019

Minor Requirements 

The African American Studies minor requires 18 course credits in literature, history, philosophy, and more.

Sample Courses

  • African American Literature
  • Race & Racism
  • African American Thought
  • History of the Harlem Renaissance
  • Black Theater in America
  • Black Sacred Music

View all minor course requirements.

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