Two Flagship State Universities Add Black Studies Majors

The first black studies departments were established in the late 1960s. There are now several hundred colleges and universities that offer degree programs in the field. Yet they represent only a small fraction of all colleges and universities in the United States. The conventional wisdom is that if universities withstood the pressure to establish a black studies program for 40 years or more, it is doubtful they will now change their positions.

However, the University of Connecticut and the University of Illinois both recently announced that they are establishing an African-American studies major. Beginning next fall, students at both universities will have the opportunity to major in black studies.

Copyright © 2008. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.