African & Black Studies Minor

The interdisciplinary African and Black Studies minor prepares students for our diverse world through study of Black and African thought, histories, politics, cultures, and societies in the African continent and throughout the world. Students will have the opportunity to think critically about Blackness specifically (and race more generally), about Africa, and about the complex relationship between Africa and the rest of the world. This interdisciplinary minor is grounded in the social sciences and humanities but can encompass the arts, business, communications, education, and the natural and health sciences. Students can earn credits towards the minor at Butler and through study abroad.

Requirements

18 semester hours of Africa- and Black Studies-focused coursework such as:

  • AN 304 Medical Anthropology 
  • AN 380 Reproductive Technologies
  • AN 380 Gender and Sexuality in Africa
  • FR 318 Intro to Francophone Cultures: Francophone Africa
  • HST 218 Introduction to African American History and Africana Studies 
  • HST 343 Race and Ethnicity in the United States
  • HST 352 The Oldest Profession: Race, Gender, and the Politics of Sex Work in the United States 
  • IS 430 Islam and Human Rights 
  • IS 450 The Middle-East and North Africa 
  • IS 470 Middle East and North Africa in Film
  • PL 321 African-American Philosophy
  • PL 322 Africana Philosophy
  • PL 350 Philosophy of Race and Racism 
  • PO 350 African Politics 
  • PO 351 Politics of Gender and Sexuality in Africa 
  • PO 380 Black Marxism
  • PO 386 Black Political Thought 
  • RL 354 Islam: Religion, Culture, Society 
  • RGSS 302 Critical Theories of Race and Racism
  • RGSS 303 Black Feminist Ecological Thought 
  • RGSS 303 Hip-Hop Feminism
  • RL 341 Islam, Gender, and Sexuality
  • RL 354 Islam: Religion, Culture, Society
  • SW 245-PO  Politics from the Margins
  • TI 204-HST /HST 205- Say Her Name: Black Women and the Carceral State Since 1865
  • TI 255-PO The Politics of Alice Walker

For a description of the above courses, visit the Course Catalog.  

Recommendations

  • Study abroad in Africa and earn credit toward the minor!
  • Learn about Africa in Core Courses such as FYS 101-2 Global Perspectives on Health, GHS 206 Resistance and Reaction: Colonialism and Postcolonialism in Africa and GHS 208 Revolutionary Europe and Colonial Nigeria, and SW 215 Being Human.
  • Study a foreign language widely spoken in Africa such as French or Arabic.
  • Complete an Africa-related internship with the Tutu Center or another organization in Indianapolis, Washington, DC, or in Africa.

Contact Robin L. Turner, Ph.D. for more information:

Jordan Hall, Room 347
317-940-8559
rlturne1@butler.edu

NOTE: The information found on this website with respect to major/minor/program requirements is primarily directed at providing prospective students a general roadmap of the curriculum.  Current Butler students are expected to review their degree audit report at my.butler.edu and speak with their advisor regularly for detailed information regarding their specific degree requirements and their progress toward degree completion.