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Academic Advising
What Can I Do With a Major in Black World Studies?
Black World Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers students an opportunity to understand the languages, cultures, politics and values of black people in a global context. Moreover, the study of black people and the black experience may better prepare all students to cope with the ever-increasing demands of a multi-racial/multi-cultural world. This interdisciplinary major stresses critical thinking, reflection and informed action. Students in other majors may also obtain a minor in Black World Studies.
Interests
The Program in Black Studies provides the student a critical assessment of the experiences of people of African descent in the United States, and to a lesser degree on the rest of the hemisphere. The program integrates courses and research from the social sciences and humanities in the College of Arts and Science with the other academic areas throughout the University such as fine arts, education, journalism and law. Core faculty and affiliates from departments throughout the University participate in the program's activities. The program emphasizes the historical development.
Competencies
- Human Relations
- Understanding and interpreting diverse cultures
Awareness of gender and race differences/problems
Flexibility/adaptability
Sensitivity to people and problems
Clarifying others' thoughts and ideas - Project Development
- Designing/administering projects
Problem solving
Reviewing/evaluating projects
Organizing ideas/materials
Perceiving patterns and structures
Seeing relationships between factors - Creativity
- Problem solving
Innovative planning and designing
Developing/generating ideas
Interfacing with community areas
Trouble shooting - Communication
- Writing clearly and effectively
Rewriting/editing
Reading for comprehension
Speaking clearly and effectively
Analyzing/summarizing/memorizing
Organizing details
Observing people
Describing and evaluating issues/problems/events - Research
- Gathering information
Summarizing
Analyzing and evaluating data
Organizing/classifying
Comparing ideas/translations
Synthesizing
Developing generalizations
Opportunities - Careers
- Government
- Departmental historian
Public information coordinator
Public affairs
Census/survey work
Public program administrator for the National Endowment
Cultural affairs officer
Regional/urban planner
Peace Corps volunteer
Minority programs coordinator
Public opinion pollster
Overseas service agent - Local Government
- Urban renewalist
City manager
Policy analyst advocate
Community development - Human Services
- Public relations representative
Human resources/personnel
Youth counselor
Welfare investigator
Case worker
Extension service specialist - Communications
- Public opinion analyst
Researcher/technical adviser
Editor (textbook, newspaper)
Journalist/columnist - Education
- Teaching on college/graduate level
Counselor/advising
Admissions officer/recruiting
Director of Black Cultural Center
Librarian/archivist
Research assistant
Curator
Missionary
Affirmative action officer - Business/Industry
- Cross-cultural communication specialist
Public relations material writer
Employment counselor
Sales representative
Banking associate
Foundation representative
Grants specialist
Consultant/research, writing
Marketing assistant
Administrative assistant
Manpower planner
Campaign planner
Management trainee
Personnel director/officer
Arts council director
Fund raising director
Creative director/assistant manager
Note: Some of the listed career options may require additional education and/or training beyond the bachelor's degree.
Opportunities - Graduate/Professional School
Students may choose to continue their education in Black World Studies or they may go into English, history, political science, sociology, business, urban planning, historic preservation, and law.
Opportunities - Experiential
Ghana, Brazil and Senegal summer program and/or part-time work with historical/cultural associations and foundations such as black cultural centers, museums, art galleries and community cultural programs; governmental agencies (e.g. public health department, National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities), libraries, public archives, theatrical or musical organizations; involvement in Black Studies awareness programs, African heritage observances, and participation on planning committees for Black History Month and Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations. Students are also encouraged to visit other schools that have black cultural centers and museums.
Sources of Additional Information
- Black World Studies (120 MacMillan Hall, 529-5333)
- * Curriculum Requirements
* Career Opportunities - Career Services (200 Hoyt Hall, 529-3831)
- * Career Resource Center
* Career Counseling
* Career Assistance Center
* Computerized Career Development Program
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Arts and Science Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall, 529-3031)
- * Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
- * Course Selection
* Career Decision Making
Developed by the College of Arts and Science Advising Office and the academic departmental offices with adaptations from Liberal Arts and Sciences - Skills - Career Opportunities, Career Planning and Placement Office, University of Michigan.