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Black Studies Minor Program
No major available.
Director:
Since the Fall of 1994, the minor program in Black Studies at Suffolk
University has offered an interdisciplinary course of study that
includes history, the social sciences and the humanities. The classes
that fulfill the requirements of the minor are taught in several
departments across the University.
The interdisciplinary nature of Black Studies allows students to
combine it with any academic major in a way that supports and enhances
their study. The program also has an international orientation and
therefore allows for the study of Black history and culture, not
only in Africa or the United States, but throughout the African
Diaspora in all parts of the world. It is completely inclusive of
the Black experience, which has been a central part of the history
of the world and particularly the United States. This program provides
an essential element in helping students gain an understanding of
themselves in relation to the various communities they are a part
of neighborhoods, cities, states, nations, the world. By aiding
students in a quest to gain a foothold within an ever-changing landscape,
Black Studies is an important part of the education of all students.
The minor program in Black Studies is also supported by The Collection
of African American Literature, and the close relationship of the
University with the Museum of Afro American History and the National
Park Service African American Historic Site.
Curriculum
Requirements for a minor are satisfied by successfully completing
a total of 18 semester hours of course work in Black Studies. (For
course descriptions, please refer to the appropriate departments
of the Suffolk University catalogue.)
Required Core Component - 6 Semester
Hours
All students must take:
BLKST 100 Introduction to Black Studies
and one of the following:
HST 271 African American History 1619-1860
HST 272 African American History Since 1860
Designated Course Component - 12
Semester Hours
No more than two courses may be taken from any one department. 30
BLKST 263 Sabar: Music and Dance of Senegal
BLKST 300 The Art of Gold and Silver Smiths: Jewelry Making in Segal
(Dakar Senegal)
BLKST 469 Research Seminar: African American Life in Slavery and
Freedom - Reconstruction and the Freedman's Bureau Papers
BLKST 510 The Senegalese-American Student Teaching Program (Dakar,
Senegal)
ENG 357 Afro American Literature
ENG 358 Selected African American Authors
GOV 383 African Politics
HST 261 African History to 1800
HST 263 Race and Politics in South Africa
HST 271 African American History, 1619-1860
HST 272 African American History Since 1860
HST 330 The History and Culture of Senegal
HST 394 Slavery
HST 396 The African Diaspora
Related Courses
Related courses are those that include the study of the Black experience
as a significant part of the course though not the primary focus.
Students may count one related course toward their minor requirements,
with permission of the Director. Examples of related classes are:
GOV 348 Law, Race and Gender
GOV 467 Comparative Social Movements
HST 325 Exploration, Colonization and Imperialism
HST 395 Race and Ethnicity in American History
SOC 227 Race in American Society
See the Director of the Program to see if a class can count as
a related class.
Special Topics
Directed Studies and Research Projects are also available through
individual departments for students who want to include individual
specialized research in the minor.
Research Projects
The Geuwel Tradition Research Project
Launched in the summer of 2005 the Geuwel Tradition Research Project
has the purpose of researching and documenting the geuwel tradition
as it has manifested historically from the nineteenth century, to
how it is being transformed in the present, modern era of the twenty-first
century. This research project focuses on the Faye family of Dakar,
from their nineteenth century ancestor who was the first Baj Geuwel
(or Grand Griot) of the Cap Vert peninsula (Dakar and the surrounding
area) to the present generation of young geuwels just entering adulthood.
This covers five generations of the family, and explores the history
of Dakar (and Senegal) from the years prior to French colonization,
up to the present era. In addition to the genealogical and historical
aspects of this study there is a cultural aspect as the history
and uses of traditional music and dance forms will also be examined.
For Information contact: Prof. Robert A. Bellinger, History Department
The Senegalese-American Student Teaching Program (Dakar,
Senegal)
see BLKST 510 below
The Freedman’s Bureau Papers Project
In February 2006 the New England chapter of the African American
Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS New England), and the
Black Studies Program/History Department at Suffolk University launched
the Freedman’s Bureau Papers Project. Organized by Brenda
McKinley of AAHGS New England and Prof. Robert A. Bellinger of Suffolk
University the purpose of this joint project is to create a catalog
of the materials in the Freedman’s Bureau Papers. The Freedman’s
Bureau Papers contain a wide range of information “about the
African American experience during slavery and freedom.”
The records contain documents such as registers that give
the names, ages, and former occupations of freedmen and names
and residences of former owners. In addition there are marriage
registers. . . census lists, details of labor and apprenticeship
agreements, complaint registers, personal data about Black soldiers
. . . and a variety of documentation relating to the social and
economic conditions of the black family. (NARA Reference
Information Paper 108, Black Family Research, 3)
Because of the age of the documents and to make them more available
to researchers, the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA) began the process of putting the Freedman’s Bureau
Papers on film. Working in cooperation with the Massachusetts branch
of the NARA in Waltham, members of AAHGS New England and students
from Suffolk University will take on the task of going through the
documents and making a record of the names that appear in them.
This project will provide students of black studies or history the
opportunity to explore the reconstruction era through the use of
primary sources and the completed catalogue will provide an important
resource for anyone using the Freedman’s Bureau Papers. A
new class that will help students develop research skills while
learning about African American history in the reconstruction era
has been developed. The class is:
BLKST 469: Research Seminar: African American Life in Slavery
and Freedom – Reconstruction and the Freedman’s Bureau
Papers
For Information contact: Prof. Robert A. Bellinger, History Department
Study Abroad
In the context of increasing globalization, study abroad has become
more integral to the education of undergraduate students. This is
also true for the field of Black Studies, which by definition is
international/global. The minor program in Black Studies at Suffolk
University encourages students to pursue study abroad opportunities
and is willing to work with any of the programs that Black Studies
minors choose. However, though there are a wide variety of programs
in existence, not all of them are apropos for Black Studies. Therefore
the Black Studies program has developed, and will develop programs
that are designed to enhance and augment a students study and research
in the field of Black Studies.
HST 330 - The History and Culture of Senegal
BLKST 263 - Sabar: The Music and Dance of Senegal
Students may complete some of the requirements for the Black Studies
minor while doing study abroad. Current classes that have an international
component. Interested students should contact the Director of the
Black Studies Program.
Information/Advising
Students wishing to minor in Black Studies should see the Director
of the Black Studies program and choose an advisor from the Black
Studies committee.
Black Studies Committee
Director:
Judy Benson, Enrollment and Retention
Marilyn Jurich, English
Joseph McCarthy, Education
Marjorie Salvodon, Humanities
Black Studies Courses
BLKST 100 Introduction to Black Studies An interdisciplinary introduction
to the basic concepts and literature in the disciplines covered
by Black Studies. It includes History, Philosophy, Psychology and
other disciplines, as well as a conceptual framework for the investigation
and analysis of Black history and culture. The course will also
incorporate an introduction to basic research methods including
library use, project development, bibliography development and writing
research papers. 1 term - 3 semester hours. Normally offered
alternate years.
 BLKST
263 Sabar: Music and Dance of Senegal: Participants will be introduced
to Sabar music and dance of Senegal through a study of music, dance,
language and history. Each area will be taught by professional practitioners
of the Sabar tradition to develop a sense of how music and dance
are used in both traditional and popular contexts. 1 term - 3 semester
hours. Normally offered alternate years.
 BLKST
300 The Art of Gold and Silver Smiths: Jewelry Making in Senegal
(Dakar, Senegal)
This class will introduce students to the process of working with
gold and silver and the art of making jewelry. To accomplish this,
the students will have an apprenticeship with a family of traditional
gold and silver smiths where they will learn about each aspect of
the jewelry making process by taking part in the day-to-day work
that the artisans do. They will also learn about the various symbols
and representations used by the smiths. The academic portion of
the class will provide students with historical/cultural background
to the work they will be doing. 1 term - 3 semester hours.
Normally offered as requested.
BLKST 469 Research Seminar: African American Life in Slavery and
Freedom - Reconstruction and the Freeman's Bureau Papers
This class is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding
of the Reconstruction era by working with the microfilm of the Freedman's
Bureau Papers. To accomplish this there will be a classroom component
and an on-site component. In the classroom component, students will
be introduced to the reconstruction era and its history. In the
on-site component students will work with the microfilmed copies
of the Freedman's Bureau Papers, and will also add to the work of
the Freedman's Bureau Papers Project. Class meetings will be divided
between the Suffolk University campus and the NARA (National Archives
and Records Administration) site in Waltham, MA. This course is
identical to HST 469. 1 term - 3 semester hours.
Normally offered every year.
BLKST 500 Directed Studies in Black Studies By special arrangement
faculty in Black Studies will schedule seminars or individual discussion
sessions with students interested in directed reading and research.
Open to juniors and seniors with the permission of the instructor.
1 term - 3semester hours. Offered every semester.
BLKST 510 The Senegalese American Student Teaching Program (Dakar,
Senegal)
The Senegalese-American Student Teaching Program is designed to
give students who are preparing to teach history in the middle or
secondary school, an opportunity to teach in an international setting.
In addition to providing them with practical experience, they will
have the opportunity to learn more about teaching and learning in
a global context while working with students from countries other
than their own. It is increasingly important that teachers are prepared
to deal with students from all over the world, whether they are
teaching abroad or in the United States. The Senegalese-American
Student Teaching Program is designed to provide this opportunity.
While this program is ideal for the student who has majored in American
history and is working towards certification to teach in either
the middle or secondary school, it is also open to students who
are in disciplines other than history. For information, contact:
Prof. Robert A. Bellinger, History Department. 1 term - 3 semester
hours.
Normally offered as requested.
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