Minor

To earn a minor in Black Studies, students must complete the following requirements:

  • Core Course: BLST 015: Introduction to Black Studies, typically taken during the first two years. 
  • Additional Courses: Four credits of Black Studies or Black Studies eligible courses.  
  • At least one of these courses must be outside the student’s major. 
  • No more than one course taken outside of Swarthmore may count towards the minor. 
  • Academic Standing: A GPA of 3.0 in Black Studies-related courses is recommended for acceptance into the minor. 
  • Course Recommendation: Students are strongly encouraged to take at least one course in African or African diasporic history.
Honors Minor

Honors minors must meet all requirements of the course minor. Students participating in the Honors Program are invited to define a minor in the Black Studies Program.  Honors minors in Black Studies must complete a two-credit preparation for their honors portfolio to be submitted to external examiners. The following options apply:

  • A two-credit honors thesis written under program supervision,
  • A one-credit thesis paired with a BLST course,
  • A two-credit Black Studies or Black Studies-eligible honors seminar that counts toward the BLST Program, or 
  • The pairing of two one-credit Black Studies or Black Studies eligible courses that count toward the BLST Program.