SUBJECT:

UCSD CREATES MINOR IN AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES

UCSD has created a new minor in African American Studies effective Fall Quarter 2005. This interdisciplinary minor, led by faculty from the Departments of Communication, Ethnic Studies, History, Literature, Music, Sociology, and Theatre and Dance, is open to all UCSD undergraduate students. The minor is designed to lead to an understanding of the attitudes, evolution, circumstances, and experiences of African Americans. Students select and complete courses from four broad domains in order to graduate with a minor in African American Studies. The minor begins with one or more courses in African American history (the core). Students then elect courses that further explore the history and context of the African American experience, courses in politics and society as these pertain to the African American community, and courses that examine the representation and voice of African American culture.

The new African American Studies Minor is an outgrowth of the longstanding and successful minor program - Contemporary Black Arts. The new minor builds upon the earlier program but expands the domains of coverage beyond its more narrow focus on the arts. The minor is offered under the auspices of Thurgood Marshall College at UCSD, and is directed by Interim Provost and Professor of Linguistics Robert Kluender. Professor Kluender is joined by Professors Robert Cancel of the Department of Literature, Cecil Lytle of the Department of Music, and David Pellow of the Department of Ethnic Studies in forming the Executive Committee for the minor.

Students who elect to pursue the African American Studies Minor will have not only the course offerings of the minor to inform their thinking and understanding of African American culture, but will also be able to participate in a wide variety of campus and community activities that will help to further understanding of this important and vital component of American society.

Students seeking additional information about the minor should contact the Provost's Office at Thurgood Marshall College (Executive Assistant to the Provost Sandra Stanton, at (858) 534-4004, or by email at sstanton@ucsd.edu), the Provost of Marshall College, or any member of the Executive Committee.

Marsha A. Chandler Senior Vice Chancellor