The Emergence of Black Studies at the University of California at San Diego

The University of California at San Diego is generally considered the third most selective campus of the University of California system behind Berkeley and UCLA. Blacks are a mere 1.3 percent of the 20,000-member undergraduate student body at the institution.

In an attempt to increase racial diversity on campus, this past semester the university began its African-American studies minor program. Students who enroll in the minor program will take courses in African-American history, politics, and culture. It is hoped that as the program becomes more established it will attract more black students and black faculty to the university. Cultural events organized by the new program will also increase the diversity of offerings on campus.

Organizers of the effort hope black studies will one day become a bachelor’s degree program and achieve departmental status at the university.

Copyright © 2007. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.