150 Parkmill (PKM)
503-725-3472
www.pdx.edu/blackstudies
- B.A., B.S. in Black Studies
- Minor in Black Studies
- Certificate in African Studies
- Certificate in Black Studies
The Department of Black Studies is an academic interdisciplinary unit within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It is one of four intersectional units in the School of Gender, Race, and Nations. The Department of Black Studies is devoted to the exploration and analysis of all aspects of African people and people of African descent in the United States, the Caribbean/Latin America, and Europe. It seeks to research and teach about the Black experience through the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary contributions of its faculty by providing comprehensive learning programs aimed at greater understanding of the historical and contemporary experiences of people in Africa and African descended people across the Americas, the Caribbean, Oceania, Asia, and Europe.
The Department of Black Studies provides students who opt for the Black Studies major, minor, certificate, or as an addition to majors such as Anthropology, English, Sociology, Community Studies, History, etc., a variety of course offerings. These courses serve to expand students’ breadth of knowledge in related courses offered by the department or as a complement to those in other departments. Students gain an understanding of the complex relationships across and between race/racism, gender/sexism, sexuality/homophobia, class differences and inequalities. The Department of Black Studies incorporates in its understandings and analysis of Black Life cultural themes such as music, literature, and film; institutions like the family, religion, housing, employment, criminal injustice system and health care; and the more general realms of culture and political economy into its curriculum and its courses.
The program provides students with a general historical background of the Black experience in Africa and the Western hemisphere, as well as locally. Students also examine contemporary inter- and intra-racial/ethnic dynamics and are encouraged to engage in study and/or civic engagement courses to support their interests in global and community studies. The Department of Black Studies prepares students to work with African, Black or African American communities and to apply for graduate studies in a variety of disciplinary and professional programs. It will also give students a crucial competitive advantage in obtaining careers in those areas and within communities that interact with African, African American, Afro-Asiatic, Afro-Oceanic, and Caribbean/Latin American cultures.
Students interested in any of the degree programs offered in the Department of Black Studies are strongly encouraged to enroll in BST 202: Introduction to Black Studies or any other 200-level course. Students should meet with the undergraduate advisor for assistance with course selection based on their interests. For students who plan to apply to graduate school, it is important that they meet with one of their professors, the undergraduate advisor, or the department chair during their junior year, in order to discuss options for courses to enhance their research skills, such as the practicum, reading and conference, or other experiential learning courses.
African Studies Certificate
The African Studies certificate, as part of the Black Studies program at Portland State University, provides students with a wealth of knowledge concerning the African continent, encompassing its intricate histories, captivating voices, diverse perspectives, and vibrant communities, all approached from Afrocentric and multidisciplinary lenses. Recognizing Africa's central role in global history, our curriculum provides students with a unique opportunity to delve into a wide array of themes encompassing African history, culture, politics, philosophy, and economics. Additionally, our program ensures that students who earn the Certificate cultivate cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the continent's diverse fabric, while also acknowledging its interconnectedness with global studies.
Acknowledging the significance of Africa, the Black Studies Department at Portland State University is firmly dedicated to addressing the scholarly curiosity of students in relation to the study of the continent. The African Studies Certificate forms a critical part of this commitment and serves an important intellectual function within our campus. It will give students in many majors recognition for their Africa-related work. It is expected the certificate will dovetail well with several majors and minors, including those in Black Studies, Anthropology, History, French, and Department of Politics and Global Affairs. Additionally, the Certificate will provide a pathway for students who have fulfilled the UNST global perspectives cluster or the Race and Ethnic Studies requirement and desire recognition for their Africa-related work.
Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 16 credits to earn this Certificate, including two courses from any level of BSt’s Africa-related courses. Discuss your options with an advisor or the coordinator of the certificate program.
There is no language requirement for this Certificate.
Complete at least two BSt Africa-related courses from the following list:
Up to two courses from the following list may be used towards completion of the Certificate:
| Anth 363U | Egyptian Archaeology: From Earliest Peoples to the Pyramid Age | 4 |
| ArH 351U | Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian Art | 4 |
| ArH 426U | African Art | 4 |
| CR 427 | Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict | 4 |
| Ec 350U | Economics of Developing Countries | 4 |
| Fr 435 | Francophone Literature of the 20th Century | 4 |
| Hst 412 | Topics in African History and Culture | 4 |
| Ling 481 | World Englishes | 4 |
| Mus 374U | World Music: Africa and the Middle East | 4 |
| PS 355U | Introduction to African Politics | 4 |
| PS 472 | Democratization and Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa | 4 |
| PS 473 | Government and Politics of Arab North Africa | 4 |
| Swah 330 | Topics in East African Culture and Civilization | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: 16
Study Abroad courses can count towards the Certificate when approved through the Course Substitution process. See an advisor for more details.
All courses used to satisfy the departmental certificate requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded C or above. Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling departmental certificate requirements.