Bachelor of Arts in Black Literature & Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in Black Literature & Arts at Dubois College is a rich, interdisciplinary program
that explores the literary, visual, and performance traditions of African Americans and the African
diaspora. Centered on Education, Empowerment, Equity, and Excellence, this degree program
trains students to analyze, create, and curate artistic works through the lens of Black identity,
liberation, spirituality, and resistance.
Students will engage deeply with texts, artworks, and cultural movements spanning from African oral
traditions to contemporary Black digital storytelling. The curriculum blends literary analysis, creative
expression, art history, and performance studies with a commitment to cultural preservation and
transformation. This program is ideal for students interested in writing, teaching, art curation, public
humanities, or pursuing advanced study in literature, cultural studies, or fine arts.
Program Highlights
– Emphasis on Black literature, aesthetics, visual culture, and performative traditions
– Courses include African American poetry, Black visual arts, and Afro-futurism
– Development of creative portfolios in writing, media, and interdisciplinary arts
– Community-engaged learning through digital archiving and public exhibitions
– Tuition-free, fully online, and rooted in decolonial and liberatory frameworks
Degree Plan
Year 1 - Fall Semester
– Introduction to Black Literature
– College Writing & Communication
– African Art & Aesthetic Theory
– African American History Through Arts
– Digital Literacy & Media Storytelling
Year 1 - Spring Semester
– Introduction to Creative Writing
– African Oral Traditions & Folklore
– Public Speaking & Performance for Social Change
– College Algebra or Quantitative Reasoning
– African Diasporic Myths & Movements
Year 2 - Fall Semester
– African American Poetry & Performance
– The Harlem Renaissance: Literature, Jazz & Politics
– Introduction to Black Visual Culture
– Black Feminist Literary Thought
– Elective (e.g., Storytelling for Activism, Documentary Arts)
Year 2 - Spring Semester
– Contemporary Black Fiction
– Caribbean & Afro-Latinx Literature
– Art & Liberation: Studio or Digital Practice
– The Black Essay: Journalism, Memoir & Critique
– Elective (e.g., Zines, Comics, and DIY Publishing)
Year 3 - Fall Semester
– Black Literary Theory & Criticism
– Digital Archiving & Community Histories
– African American Theater & Playwriting
– Internship I: Arts Organization, Press, or Archive
– Elective (e.g., Mural Art, Afrofuturist Design)
Year 3 - Spring Semester
– Black Speculative Arts & Afrofuturism
– Research Methods in Literary & Arts Studies
– Oral History & Autobiographical Practice
– Interdisciplinary Studio or Portfolio Workshop
– Elective (e.g., Spirituality & Art, Black Queer Aesthetics)
Year 4 - Fall Semester
– Senior Seminar: Art, Ethics & Representation
– Internship II or Independent Research
– Capstone Proposal & Exhibition Planning
– Grant Writing or Arts Administration
– Elective (e.g., Children’s Lit of the Diaspora, Black Digital Poetics)
Year 4 - Spring Semester
– Capstone Project: Exhibit, Performance, or Manuscript
– Public Humanities & Community Art
– Career Development for Artists & Writers
– Seminar on Black Cultural Criticism
– Elective (e.g., Audio Arts, Black Cinema, Critical Fabulation)