Black Studies (BLST)

BLST 100. Introduction to Black Studies. 3 hours.

The Black experience, focusing on African and African American culture, the slave trade, slavery and emancipation in the Americas, 20th and 21st century social relations, and struggles for civil rights. Course Information: Previously listed as AAST 100. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion/Recitation and one Lecture. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.

BLST 101. Introduction to Black Diaspora Studies. 3 hours.

Introduction to the historical and contemporary dispersal of people from the African continent around the globe beginning in the 15th century to the present. Course Information: Previously listed as AAST 101. Past course, and World Cultures course.

BLST 103. Black Politics and Culture in the United States. 3 hours.

The shifting relationship between black politics and black cultural forms across various historical periods. Course Information: Same as POLS 112. Previously listed AAST 103. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.

BLST 104. Race, Place, and Schooling: Black Americans and Education. 3 hours.

Examination of the social, political, cultural, and economic factors shaping Black Americans' educational experiences in the United States histprically and currently. Course Information: Same as EDPS 104. Previously listed as AAST 104. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.

BLST 105. Black Film, 1900 - Present: Images, Individuals and Ideas on Screen. 3 hours.

Examination of the history of black people in film – looking both at films by black people in the United States and the diaspora, and at the relationship between black filmmakers, performers, and audiences to national and global film industries. Course Information: Same as COMM 105 and MOVI 105. Previously listed as AAST 105. Creative Arts course, and US Society course.

BLST 110. Introduction to African American Literature, 1760-1910. 3 hours.

Comprehensive survey, 1760-1910, from earliest folk roots to formal literary tradition. Course Information: Same as ENGL 118. Previously listed as AAST 110. Creative Arts course, and US Society course.

BLST 111. Introduction to African American Literature Since 1910. 3 hours.

Comprehensive survey of African American literature from 1910 to the present. Course Information: Same as ENGL 119. Previously listed as AAST 111. Creative Arts course, and US Society course.

BLST 125. Black Religious Traditions. 3 hours.

Introduction to the religious history of black people in the United States and the diaspora. Examination of religious institutions, the role of religion in black social and political movements, mass rebellions, and revolts. Course Information: Same as RELS 125. Previously listed as AAST 125. Past course, and US Society course.

BLST 191. African and Caribbean Francophone Literature in Translation. 3 hours.

An introduction to the Francophone literature of Africa and the Caribbean and to its historical and cultural contexts. Course Information: Same as FR 191. Previously listed as AAST 191. Creative Arts course, and World Cultures course.

BLST 206. Black Studies and the Production of Knowledge. 3 hours.

Students will explore the history and implications of research in a wide range of fields and gain an introduction to anti-racist, decolonial, and feminist approaches to knowledge production. Course Information: Previously listed as AAST 206. Prerequisite(s): Three credit hours in Black Studies; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 207. Racism: Global Perspectives. 3 hours.

An introduction to global, transnational, and comparative perspectives on racism. Analysis of race and racism not only in the United States, but also in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Europe, and other contexts. Course Information: Same as SOC 207. Previously listed as AAST 207. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 160 or ENGL 161. Individual and Society course, and World Cultures course.

BLST 210. Ancient Egyptian Art and Archaeology. 3 hours.

Introduction to the art, architecture, archaeology and material culture of ancient societies in Egypt from prehistory to the end of the Ptolemaic Dynasty (ca 6000-30 BCE). Course Information: Same as AH 210 and CL 210. Credit is not given for BLST 210 if the student has credit in ARST 210 or AH 210 or CL 210. Previously listed as AAST 210. Prerequisite(s): Completion of the English Composition requirement; and sophomore standing or above. Recommended background: Credit in AH 100 or AH 110. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Lecture-Discussion. Creative Arts course, and Past course.

BLST 221. The Atlantic Slave Trade: Violence, Exploitation, Resistance. 3 hours.

Thematic social, cultural and economic history tracing rise and fall of Atlantic slave trade from African supply systems to New world consumption 1550-1880 with focus on slave experiences. Course Information: Same as HIST 221. Previously listed as AAST 221. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion/Recitation and one Lecture. Past course, and World Cultures course.

BLST 225. Racial and Ethnic Groups. 3 hours.

Sociological and social-psychological analysis of racial, religious, and other ethnic groups; consideration of historical and current social problems arising from their relationships in society. Course Information: Same as LALS 225 and SOC 225. Previously listed as AAST 225. Prerequisite(s): SOC 100; or consent of the instructor. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.

BLST 229. Black Diaspora Studies. 3 hours.

Interdisciplinary, in-depth study of the making of the African Diaspora--the forced and voluntary movement of African peoples around the globe. Topics may vary. Course Information: Same as HIST 229. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours. Previously listed as AAST 229. Prerequisite(s): BLST 100; or BLST 101.

BLST 241. Precolonial Africa in World History. 3 hours.

The history of African societies in the period before 1850 through the rise of kingdoms and territorial states, migration of peoples, the spread and impact of Islam, and west African trading networks. Course Information: Same as HIST 241. Previously listed as AAST 241. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161; or consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Discussion/Recitation. Past course, and World Cultures course.

BLST 242. History of Modern Africa. 3 hours.

The effect of European partition and colonialism; African military and political resistance; economic imperialism; the rise of nationalism; the problems of independence. Course Information: Same as HIST 242. Previously listed as AAST 242. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161; or consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: to be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Discussion/Recitation. Past course, and World Cultures course.

BLST 246. Black Lives in Historical Context. 3 hours.

Interdisciplinary survey of key episodes in black history and their relationship to contemporary black life such as slavery, abolition and resistance. The course will draw connections between historical and current aspects of black life. Course Information: Same as HIST 243. Previously listed as AAST 246. Prerequisite(s): BLST 100; or consent of the instructor. Past course, and US Society course.

BLST 247. African American History to 1877. 3 hours.

Survey of major social, economic, political, and cultural developments in African American history from the rise of the Atlantic Slave Trade to Reconstruction. Course Information: Same as HIST 247. Previously listed as AAST 247. Prerequisite(s): One course in Black Studies or History; or consent of the instructor. Past course, and US Society course.

BLST 248. African American History since 1877. 3 hours.

Survey of major social, economic, and political developments in African American history since Reconstruction. Topics include Jim Crow, black leadership, migration, civil rights and nationalism. Course Information: Same as HIST 248. Previously listed as AAST 248. Prerequisite(s): One course in Black Studies or History; or consent of the instructor. Past course, and US Society course.

BLST 249. Black Freedom Movements in the U.S. 3 hours.

A survey of Black resistance and social change movements from the 1900's through the 1970's; the political ideologies and practices of various leaders and organizations that have had an impact on Black American politics. Course Information: Previously listed as AAST 249. Past course, and US Society course.

BLST 250. Comparative Black Literatures. 3 hours.

Selected works of literature and criticism in the context of the U.S. and the Black diaspora. Comparative study of race, culture, and politics in literature. Course Information: Same as ENGL 260. Previously listed as AAST 250. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161; or completion of the English composition requirement. Creative Arts course.

BLST 252. U.S. Racism and Imperialism. 3 hours.

Examines histories and narratives of U.S. imperialism and racism. Investigates how U.S. imperial power is inextricably tied to the workings of racial difference and hierarchy. Same as GLAS 252. Course Information: Recommended background: Grade of C or better in GLAS 100 or Grade of C or better in BLST 100 or Grade of C or better in BLST 101. Past course, and US Society course.

BLST 258. Race and Urban Life. 3 hours.

Examines the experiences of Blacks in urban areas since the 1900's. Course Information: Same as SOC 258. Previously listed as AAST 258.

BLST 261. Reading Black Women Writing. 3 hours.

Examines inscriptions of race, gender, class, and sexuality as they shape the literary and critical practices of black women writers. Course Information: Same as ENGL 261 and GWS 261. Previously listed as AAST 261. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in a 100-level Black Studies or African American literature course; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 262. Black Cultural Studies. 3 hours.

Study of approaches, methods, and key debates in the study of black culture in a transnational and diasporic context. Course Information: Same as ENGL 262. Previously listed as AAST 262. Prerequisite(s): BLST 100. Creative Arts course, and US Society course.

BLST 263. Black Intellectual History. 3 hours.

Key debates and contributions of black thought to national and global politics and culture since the 19th century. Course Information: Same as HIST 263. Previously listed as AAST 263. Prerequisite(s): BLST 100. Individual and Society course, and Past course.

BLST 264. African American Art. 3 hours.

Interdisciplinary survey of the artistic production of African American artists from the nineteenth century to the present. Course Information: Same as AH 264. Previously listed as AAST 264. Creative Arts course, and World Cultures course.

BLST 265. Harlem Renaissance. 3 hours.

The intellectual, cultural, and artistic expressions among African Americans from 1912 to 1933, with an emphasis on the literary texts and social history. Course Information: Same as ENGL 265. Previously listed as AAST 265. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in BLST 100; and Grade of C or better in BLST 110 or Grade of C or better in BLST 111; or consent of the instructor. Past course, and US Society course.

BLST 266. Topics in African Literature. 3 hours.

Examination and analysis of selected works of African literature, history, and criticism. Topics will vary. Course Information: Same as ENGL 266. May be repeated. Previously listed as AAST 266.

BLST 270. African Art. 3 hours.

Survey of the arts of the major tribal cultures of Sub-Saharan Africa. Course Information: Same as AH 270. Previously listed as AAST 270. Prerequisite(s): 3 hours of art history at the 100 level or consent of the instructor. Creative Arts course, and World Cultures course.

BLST 271. Race and the Politics of Incarceration. 3 hours.

Examines how incarceration and criminalization affects black people in contemporary society. Course Information: Same as CLJ 271 and SOC 271. Previously listed as AAST 271. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better or concurrent registration in BLST 100 or Grade of C or better or concurrent registration in SOC 100 or Grade of C or better in CLJ 101. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.

BLST 272. Race, Gender, and Sexuality. 3 hours.

Explores how Black feminist and queer intellectual work on race, gender and sexuality has been used to radically reimagine what a just world would look like. Course Information: Same as GWS 272. Previously listed as AAST 272. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in ENGL 161. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.

BLST 274. The Politics of Blackness in Latin America. 3 hours.

Examines race, culture, and politics in Latin America from historical and contemporary perspectives with a particular emphasis on the latter half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. Course Information: Same as LALS 274 and POLS 274. Recommended background: Three credit hours in BLST or LALS or POLS.

BLST 294. Topics in Black Studies. 3 hours.

Selected topics in Black Studies. Specific topics are announced each term. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Students may register for more than one section per term. Previously listed as AAST 294.

BLST 306. Black Politics in the United States. 3 hours.

Historical analysis of Black electoral politics in the U.S., including traditional political party participation and movement politics. Course Information: Same as POLS 311. Previously listed as AAST 306. Prerequisite(s): Three courses in political science, history or sociology; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 351. Topics in Black Art and Literature. 3 hours.

Study of literature and the other arts in the context of the African diaspora. Topics vary. Course Information: Same as ENGL 351. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Previously listed as AAST 351. Prerequisite(s): Introductory course in Black Studies or English; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 356. Constitutional Law: Women, Gender and Privacy. 3 hours.

A multidisciplinary examination of U.S. constitutional law and politics in shaping issues of gender, privacy, race, and sexual orientation; including reproduction, labor, sexual harassment, political participation, and women and crime. Course Information: Same as GWS 356 and POLS 356. Previously listed as AAST 356. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in POLS 101 or Grade of C or better in POLS 112; or Grade of C or better in BLST 100 or Grade of C or better in BLST 103; or Grade of C or better in GWS 101; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 358. Constitutional Law: African-American Legal History. 3 hours.

Survey of the African-American constitutional experience from the 1600s to the present, focusing on landmark decisions of the United States Supreme Court. Course Information: Same as POLS 358. Previously listed as AAST 358.

BLST 394. Special Topics in Black Studies. 3 hours.

Selected advanced topics in Black Studies. Specific topics are announced each term. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Students may register for more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): BLST 100; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 398. Independent Study: Special Topics. 1-3 hours.

Selected topics for individual research. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Previously listed as AAST 398. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor and departmental approval.

BLST 401. Senior Seminar in Black Studies. 3 hours.

Through weekly readings, discussions, and assignments, students will be guided through a hands-on process of developing a senior project within a small, supportive and dynamic learning community. Course Information: Previously listed as AAST 401. Prerequisite(s): BLST 206; and senior standing or above; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 406. Topics in Black Feminist and Queer Studies. 3 or 4 hours.

Advanced study of topics related to theories of race, gender and sexuality with a specific focus on black feminist and queer studies. Topics may vary. Course Information: Same as GWS 406. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above and one 100-level course in Black Studies or one 100-level course in Gender and Women’s Studies; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 407. Seminar in Comparative Racialization. 3 or 4 hours.

Provides an interdisciplinary and comparative approach to the making and remaking of "race" and the resultant racialized experiences of different groups in the U.S. and globally. Course Information: Same as SOC 407. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Previously listed as AAST 407. Prerequisite(s): BLST 207 or SOC 207 or BLST 225 or SOC 225 or LALS 225; and senior standing or above; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 408. Global Black Feminisms. 3 or 4 hours.

Examines transnational, Third Wave and Third World Black feminist approaches to global politics from historical and contemporary perspectives with a particular emphasis on the late 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. Course Information: Same as GWS 408 and LALS 408. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Recommended background: Undergraduate students: at least three credit hours in BLST or GWS or LALS.

BLST 410. Race, Gender and Representation: Black Bodies in Media and Mass Culture. 3 or 4 hours.

Examines the ideological, cultural and economic structures that shape the representation of Black subjects in performance, visual arts, and mass media, paying close attention to gender and sexuality. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Same as COMM 410 and GWS 410. Recommended background: Three or more credit hours in Black Studies or consent of the instructor.

BLST 441. Topics in African History. 3 or 4 hours.

Specific topics are announced each term. Course Information: Same as HIST 441. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): 3 hours of African history, Black Studies, or consent of the instructor.

BLST 481. Topics in African American and Diaspora History. 3 or 4 hours.

African American history and/or history of the diaspora for students with significant background in the field. Topics vary. Course Information: Same as HIST 485. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): 3 hours of BLST history course or consent of the instructor.

BLST 490. Topics in Black Literature. 3 or 4 hours.

The study and analysis of selected works of Black literature and culture for students with significant background in the field. Topics vary by semester. Course Information: Same as ENGL 473. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. Previously listed as AAST 490. Prerequisite(s): BLST 100; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 492. Topics in Social Science Research. 3 or 4 hours.

Examination of selected specialized topics that vary each semester. Topics are drawn from research in political science, psychology, sociology, and history. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one term per semester. Previously listed as AAST 492. Prerequisite(s): BLST 100; or consent of the instructor.

BLST 494. Advanced Topics in Black Studies. 3 or 4 hours.

In-depth study of selected topics in the field of Black Studies. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above. Any two 200-level Black Studies courses or consent of the instructor.

BLST 501. Interdisciplinary Seminar in Black Studies. 4 hours.

Graduate introductory seminar to the intellectual traditions, theoretical frameworks, and methodological innovations shaping the interdisciplinary field of Black Studies. Course Information: Previously listed as AAST 501.

BLST 502. Graduate Colloquium in Black Studies. 1 hour.

Interdisciplinary research and writing colloquium in the field of Black Studies. Course features the research of faculty, guest lecturers, and advanced graduate students from UIC and Chicago's broader scholarly community. Course Information: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. May not be repeated for credit towards the Graduate Concentration in Black Studies. Previously listed as AAST 502. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in BLST 501; or approval of the department.

BLST 503. Topics in Black Studies. 4 hours.

Study of a topic in Black Studies in an advanced level. Specific topics are announced each term. Course Information: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 hours. Previously listed as AAST 503.

BLST 596. Independent Study. 1-4 hours.

Advanced independent study or research in Black Studies, under the supervision of a faculty member. Course Information: May be repeated for credit. Students may register for more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor and department approval.