Department of Black Studies
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Law, Race & Society

This certificate offers students historical and contemporary perspectives on law, race, and social justice in the United States and beyond. It prepares students for an intersectional approach to current critical issues around law enforcement. human rights, antiblack violence, and broader geopolitics of war and security. Of particular appeal to students considering applying to law school and related fields.

Black Music & Performance

Students earning this certificate learn from a rich repertoire of African Diaspora music and dance, preparing them for careers in the entertainment industry, education, and the performing arts. Students will also learn about the origins of African American music aesthetics and explore global marketing of rap music, break dancing, graffiti, B-Boying, DJing and fashion.

Health, Wellness & Blackness

Based on a holistic approach to wellness, we explore alternative practices of community care in response to health disparities and other micro/macro racial aggressions against the Black community. Students will learn from Black women-centered bodily politics of healing, redressing racial trauma, and organizing for social justice. Students interested in complementing professional training in Public Health, Biology, Environmental Sciences, and Geography are particularly encouraged to enroll.

Black Queer & Trans Studies

Students earning this certificate take courses that encourage them to think about how Black Feminism, Black Queer Studies, and Black Trans Studies intersect with one another and transform Black Studies as a whole, preparing them to work in education, politics, public health, the arts, and activism. Students will also be prepared for graduate school in the social sciences and humanities.

 

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Steps

  • Students fill out the Black Studies Certificate form (APPLY button, below) and arrange a meeting with Black Studies Advisor
  • Students take four required courses related to the certificate of their choice
  • Students earn a Black Studies Certificate upon graduation from UC Santa Barbara

To apply, fill out the Certificate Interest Form and make an appointment with the Black Studies Undergraduate Advisor Nailah Rauf: nailah@ucsb.edu

 

Apply