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University of Illinois Chicago
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University of Illinois Chicago

Black Studies

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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Graduate Studies

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Interdisciplinary Graduate Concentration in Black Studies

This concentration offers Masters and Ph.D. students a unique opportunity to complement the graduate coursework in their home department with interdisciplinary training. It is designed to provide graduate students a deeper understanding of scholarship and research methods in Black Studies and to foster participation in an interdisciplinary community of young scholars engaging with faculty experts. The concentration will enable researchers and practitioners with a wide range of intellectual and professional interests to develop expertise in race, culture and politics before they embark on their careers.

Black Studies is a robust interdisciplinary area of study that is informed by traditional disciplines including history, literature, sociology, philosophy, political science, and psychology, as well as newer and emerging fields including gender studies, postcolonial studies, disability studies, and Asian American, Latinx, and indigenous studies. Drawing on hybrid and innovative methodological and theoretical approaches, the department provides courses across historical periods and locations—from a focus on the city of Chicago to black cultures and communities in the Caribbean, Africa and Europe, as well as North America.

Concentration Requirements Heading link

In order to complete the Black Studies concentration, graduate students are required to take BLST 501, BLST 502, and 3 electives for a total of 17 hours. The electives must be 4 hours each. BLST 503 is recommended as one of these electives. Up to 8 hours can be taken in the student's home department (which may include thesis research hours with prior approval from the Black Studies Director of Graduate Studies).
BLST 501: Interdisciplinary Seminar in Black Studies 4 hours
BLST 502: Graduate Colloquium in Black Studies 1 hour
Elective or BLST 503: Topics in Black Studies 4 hours
Elective 4 hours
Elective 4 hours
Total Credit Hours 17 hours

Core Courses in the Black Studies Concentration Heading link

                               Click here to view full list of graduate course offerings.

Concentration Contacts Heading link

Become a Black Studies Graduate Concentrator Heading link

Please click on the link below to begin and submit your application. If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies at madhud@uic.edu.

Apply Today!