BA in Interdisciplinary with Emphasis in Black Studies
Degree Program Description
Students in Black Studies learn about the varied experiences of people of Africa and the African diaspora from various fields including arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences and technology, public policy, education, and law, to name a few. This interdisciplinary field of study focuses on African Americans, Africans, and other people in the African Diaspora. A BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Black Studies challenges students to learn about and critically analyze the global experiences of people of African descent, including conditions that have shaped their past, as well as their present lives. The degree provides knowledge in the following: critical thinking skills to understand and effectively articulate experiences and contributions of the people who share a common heritage; ability to critically think, research, write, and analyze the black experience; communication (both oral and written), problem solving, strategic planning and a range of research skills. Students acquire such skills while they develop in-depth knowledge that is beneficial to careers in multicultural, cross-cultural, and diversity consulting, all of which are critical in 21st century employment. In addition, graduates of the degree often pursue employment or graduate studies in academic fields such as Social and Intellectual Movements, Politics, Sociology, Literature, Psychology, Music, Art, History, and many others.
Major Program Requirements
Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts in the College of Arts and Science with an Interdisciplinary Studies major and an emphasis in Black Studies.
A student majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Black Studies emphasis must complete a total of 30 Black Studies credits. In addition, students must complete all university graduation requirements and Arts and Science Foundation Requirements. A minimum grade of C- is required for each course taken in the major. A minimum cumulative GPA in all major coursework is 2.0.
Emphasis core requirements
- Completion of an interdisciplinary area of concentration of at least 30 credits in Black Studies and related courses
In selecting a second language to meet general education requirements in the College of Arts and Science, students are encouraged to consider Spanish or French.
In addition, students must complete all College of Arts and Science and University graduation requirements, including University general education.
| Required Coursework: | ||
| BL_STU 1000 | Introduction to Black Studies | 3 |
| BL_STU 2975 | Traditions and Concepts in Black Studies | 3 |
| BL_STU 3977 | Black Studies Methodologies | 3 |
| BL_STU 4977 | Black Studies Capstone | 3 |
| Students must complete at least one course (3 hours) from each of the following areas of concentration: | ||
Black Politics | ||
Arts, Literature, and Culture | ||
Africa and African Diaspora Studies | ||
Gender, Race, Sexuality, Class | ||
| (consult Black Studies department for course options) | ||
Students must take a minimum of two additional courses (6 hours) in one of the above areas of concentration to total 9 hours in one concentration area.
- A minimum of 15 hours numbered 2000 or above, 12 of which must be completed at MU, are required in the major.
- A minimum grade of C- or above is required in each major course.
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 in all combined major coursework is required to earn the major.
- The major must include one writing-intensive (WI) course numbered 3000 or above.
Semester Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BL_STU 1000 | 3 | BL_STU 1800 (or BL_STU 1790) | 3 |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1050 (or MATH 1100 or STAT 1200) | 3 |
| Social Science (MO STATE LAW) | 3 | Second Language | 4 |
| Second Language | 4 | Humanities and Fine Arts | 3 |
| Behavioral Science | Writing Intensive 1000+ | 3 | |
| 13 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BL_STU 2975 | 3 | Black Studies Major | 3 |
| Bio/Phys/Math Science course | 3 | Bio/Phys/Math Science Course | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 | Social Science | 3 |
| Second Language | 4 | Humanitites and Fine Arts | 3 |
| Course in Minor or Second Major | 3 | Course in Minor or Second Major | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BL_STU 3977 | 3 | Black Studies Major | 3 |
| Black Studies Major | 3 | Black Studies Major | 3 |
| Biology or Physical Science Lab | 3 | Humanities and Fine Arts | 3 |
| Course in Minor or Second Major | 3 | Course in Minor or Second Major | 3 |
| Course in Minor or Second Major | 3 | Course in Minor or Second Major | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BL_STU 4977 (or BL_STU 4975 Black Studies Internship) | 3 | Black Studies Major | 3 |
| Black Studies Major/WI 3000+ | 3 | Humanities and Fine Arts | 3 |
| Behavioral Science | 3 | Course in Minor or Second Major | 3 |
| Course in Minor or Second Major | 3 | Course in Minor or Second Major | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.