What to know about black studies programs in the US?

I'm interested in majoring in black studies and I want to learn more about prominent programs in the US. Are there specific schools or resources I should look into? Thanks for your help!

You're thinking about majoring in Black Studies--great! This is an interdisciplinary field where you'll likely study a mix of history, literature, politics, sociology, and culture, all pertaining to the African diaspora. Here are a few colleges and universities that are particularly known for their robust Black Studies programs.

- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Their Department of African American Studies is interdisciplinary and allows students to study and analyze the experiences of people in the African diaspora through various lenses (history, sociology, arts, public policy, etc). You can also opt for joint majors like AFAM & Sociology or AFAM & Asian American Studies.

- Harvard University: Harvard has the Department of African and African American Studies, with faculty who are leaders in their respective fields. You'll be able to take courses here that cover a wide range of topics, from black life during the colonial period to 20th century social movements.

- Yale University: Yale's Department of African American Studies is historic and well-respected. They offer both a major and minor, and you can combine African American Studies with another major if you'd like.

- Columbia University: Columbia's African American and African Diaspora Studies department is another standout program. Prominent scholars in this field teach courses on a broad range of topics, from Black feminism to the intersections of race and technology.

- Howard University: As one of the top HBCUs in the nation, Howard offers a solid program in Afro-American Studies and plays a big part in producing Black leaders.

In addition to these, practically every nationally recognized university and many smaller liberal arts colleges offer majors or minors in Black or Africana Studies. Since each program will have a somewhat unique focus based on which professors are in the department, it's best to review each program's course catalog and faculty list to gauge which one aligns with your interests.

In terms of resources, academic journals like 'The Journal of Black Studies,' 'African and Black Diaspora,' and 'The Journal of African American History' are great for diving deeper into the field.

Don't forget to reach out to your school counselor or a college admissions professional for further advice tailored to your interests and academic profile.