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Black Diaspora and African American Studies BDAAS
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Black Diaspora and African American Studies Major

The Black Diaspora and African American Studies major is an interdisciplinary program of study. Students will be able to design their individual programs under of three different program concentrations. 

Students with a major in BDAAS will be better equipped to design and implement ethical research that takes into account the legacies of research on racially and socially oppressed groups. Students will also understand the complexities of conducting research, designing representations of communities, and meeting the needs of racially and social marginalized families, in ways that embrace the intersectional, multifaceted, social, and political nature of the human experience.

Check out the Black Diaspora and African American Studies Checklist (Fillable PDF) here.

The Projected Academic Course Offerings is also available for viewing. 

 

Questions? Please see our FAQ page for commonly asked questions.

Contact Us

bdaas@ucsd.edu

Requirements

The Black Diaspora and African American Studies major requires 52 units of study to complete the program. The Bachelor of Arts degree includes:

• One 4-unit lower division core course;
• Four 4-unit upper division core courses;
• Six 4-unit upper division courses in a concentration;
• One 4-unit upper division course focused on human research methods;
• One additional 4-unit upper-division course, which can include group and/or independent study.

 

Concentrations

Students will be able to design their individual programs under the guidelines of three different program concentrations. 

CONCENTRATIONS: 

  • A: Africa and/or Black Diaspora Studies. Students will select a disciplinary focus and take at least five upper division discipline-specific courses in one department.
  • B: African American Studies. Students will select a disciplinary focus and take at least five upper division discipline-specific courses in one department.
  • C: Interdisciplinary Study. Students will design a major focus across a selected intersectional topic or issue that is covered across two or three departments. Students will take six upper division courses across two or three UCSD departments.

How to Declare

How to Declare the Major

  1. Read the general university requirements for a major.
  2. Review major requirements. You may schedule a time to speak with the BDAAS Program Coordinator, via Zoom to review your Black Diaspora and African American Studies Checklist (Fillable PDF).
  3. Complete a Double Major Petition (PDF).
  4. Prepare an Academic Planning Worksheet (Link to copy a Google Sheet):
    • List all requirements for both majors as well as college and University requirements.
    • List all courses, including completed, in progress, and proposed.
    • Write a brief Statement of Purpose explaining your reasoning for completing two majors.
  5. Submit the Double Major Petition, Academic Planning Worksheet, and Statement of Purpose to major departments/programs for review.
  6. If approved by both departments/programs, submit all documents to your college academic advising office for final review.
  7. Your College Academic Advising Office will notify you regarding the status of your request via the Virtual Advising Center.
  8. View your Academic History to confirm that both majors appear online. Allow five working days for processing after approval by the college.
  9. Message the Program Coordinator through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) if you have questions about your degree audit or would like to petition a course toward the major. For more information on petitions, please visit the FAQ tab on our website.