# Black Studies (Associate of Arts Degree)

San Diego Mesa College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Black Studies

Source: https://sdccd.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/17540/18643/18644/17541/17562

### Summary

Black Studies is a multidisciplinary curriculum offering courses in American Institutions, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Learning Skills. The program builds a positive understanding and knowledge of the history, culture, and contributions of Africans and Afro-Americans. All students benefit from courses in Black Studies, especially those who pursue careers in social sciences, education, law, counseling, journalism, social work, health care professions, teaching, business, and public administration.

**Award Note:**
The Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units.

**Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Black Studies Program will be able to:**

1.  Develop consciousness, confidence, and competence in understanding one’s role in society, in taking responsibility for one’s actions, and in making ethical decisions in complex situations; understand that one has the power and ability to make decisions that make a difference on a personal, professional and global level.
2.  Think critically in reading, writing, and/or speaking about topics in Black Studies, demonstrating knowledge and creativity by completing assignments that enhance research and analytical skills, thereby identifying problems, theses, arguments, evidence and conclusions.
3.  Demonstrate self-definition and an understanding and respect for the perspectives of others, while working effectively with people in group assignments, open discussions, and other activities
4.  Demonstrate an enhanced understanding of technology through its application to the completion of required assignments, projects, and presentations.
5.  Demonstrate an ability to analyze content and context of world cultures by comparing and contrasting how people do the same things in different ways; and, demonstrate an understanding of cultural pluralism
6.  Write or speak about topics in Black Studies, demonstrating confidence and creativity while participating in a variety of learning opportunities, thereby addressing problems, formulating theses, making arguments, analyzing and weighing evidence, and deriving conclusions.

### Requirements

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR:** | | 21 |
| BLAS 100 | Introduction to Black Studies | 3 |
| BLAS 104 | Black Psychology | 3 |
| or BLAS 130 | The Black Family | 3 |
| BLAS 115 | Sociology from a Black Perspective | 3 |
| or BLAS 116 | Contemporary Social Problems from a Black Perspective | 3 |
| or BLAS 135 | Introduction to Black Politics | 3 |
| BLAS 110 | African American Art | 3 |
| or BLAS 120 | Black Music | 3 |
| BLAS 125 | Dynamics of the Black Community | 3 |
| BLAS 140A | African American History to Reconstruction | 3 |
| BLAS 150 | Black Women in Literature, Film and the Media | 3 |
| or BLAS 155 | African American Literature | 3 |
| **Select six units from the following:** | | 6 |
| BLAS 111 | Cultural Influences on African Art | 3 |
| or BLAS 140B | African American History since Reconstruction to the Present | 3 |
| or BLAS 145A | Introduction to African History | 3 |
| or BLAS 145B | Introduction to African History | 3 |
| or BLAS 165 | Sexuality and Black Culture | 3 |
| or BLAS 175 | Psycho-History of Racism and Sexism | 3 |
| or ENGL C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 105 | Composition and Literature | 3 |
| or COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |