African American and Global Black Studies
Learn about Black Experiences, Voices and Traditions
The minor in African American and Global Black Studies (AAG) recognizes the centrality of Black cultures, perspectives, and humanity in academic inquiry and everyday life. The program focuses on Black geography, expression, history, creativity, and thought. Students in AAG utilize various disciplines, creating a path of study tailored to their personal and professional goals. AAG challenges students to think deeply, critically, analytically, and curiously. As students engage in social and emotional learning, they may cultivate necessary skills like empathy, compassion, problem-solving, and communication. These and other tools may enable students to engage more openly, humbly, and civilly in a diverse and ever-changing global society.
The best thing about being in the African American and Global Black Studies minor program is that I get the opportunity to learn more about my culture and bring it into the medical world. Being able to study and explore inspiring black writers, or other writers of color, has put a great depth into my learning and has encouraged me into wanting to expand more into it. With this minor mixed in with my major for Biology, it helps me improve on educating myself and others around in the medical field on how many people of color were treated and how we all can improve for future healthcare workers.
Latraey Brown ’24 | Biology Major and African American and Global Black Studies Minor
Students complete 18 credits. They may choose among courses in the College of Arts and Sciences and Conservatory. Many of these elective courses also fulfill ShenEd requirements for graduation; these are indicated with asterisks under the “Classes” toggle on this page.
Many professions may be enhanced by a minor in African American and Global Black Studies.
Consider this minor if you are pursuing a career in:
- Advocacy/Justice
- Arts/ Art management
- Coaching/Sport Management
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Government
- Health Professions
- Human Resources/Capital
- Journalism & Writing
- Law/Legal Professions
- Media and Communications
- Music Therapy
- Non-fiction Media
- Non-Profit Sector
- Politics
- Psychology and Counseling
- Public Health
- Public Service
- Social Entrepreneurship/Corporate Responsibility
- Social Work
- Urban Planning
Required Core Courses:
- ENG 287 African American Literature Credit(s): 3 ***
- AAG 101 African American/Global Black Studies Credit(s): 3 *
Elective Courses:
Students must complete 4 additional courses from the options below, according to the following criteria:
1) Students may take up to 9 credits maximum per subject area.
2) Students must complete at least 2 courses at the 300 level or above.
3) Students may take up to 3 credits from one language (ASL 202, FR 202, GER 202, SPAN 202).
Course Options
- ASL 202 Intermediate American Sign Language II Credit(s): 3 *
- ENG 308 LGBTQI Literature Credit(s): 3
- ENG 230 World Literature Credit(s): 3 ***
- ENG 314 Caribbean Literature Credit(s): 3
- ENG 328 Postcolonial Literature Credit(s): 3
- ENG 351 African American Women Writers Credit(s): 3
- ENG 402 Trauma Narratives Credit(s): 3
- ENG 403 Africana Studies Credit(s): 3
- ENG 404 Readings in Chicana/o Literature and Culture Credit(s): 3
- FR 202 Intermediate French II Credit(s): 3 *
- GEO 202 Human Geography Credit(s): 3 *
- GER 202 Intermediate German II Credit(s): 3 *
- GWST 341 Sex and Gender in Religion Credit(s): 3 **
- HIST 308 Civil War in Memory & Popular Culture Credit(s): 3
- HIST 341 Introduction to Public History Credit(s): 3
- HIST 350 Virginia History Credit(s): 3
- MULT 273 History of Rock Music Credit(s): 3 ***
- MULT 277 Jazz History Credit(s): 3 ***
- MULT 270 Introduction to Indigenous Music Cultures Credit(s): 3 ***
- MUTH 313 Critical Consciousness in Music Experience Credit(s): 3 **
- PH 202 Global Health Credit(s): 3
- REL 203 Religious Diversity & Civic Cooperation Credit(s): 3 **
- REL 312 Islam Credit(s): 3
- REL 340 Religion and Ecology Credit(s): 3 **
- REL 341 Sex and Gender in Religion Credit(s): 3 **
- SOC 312 Social Class and Inequality Credit(s): 3
- SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish II Credit(s): 3 *
Fulfills the ShenEd Sphere for Graduation Requirements:
* Navigating Difference – Cultural Understanding
** Navigating Difference – Ethical Reasoning
*** Creative Expression