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Black Studies Minor

The Black Studies Minor provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the histories and cultures of Black diasporas, ideologies of anti-Black racism, themes of Black resistance to oppression and exploitation, and the range of political strategies and community-based mobilization tactics Black activists have employed to counter systemic and institutionalized oppressions and fight for social justice.

History of the Minor

Created by Dr. Mélanie Knight, Dr. Anne-Marie Lee-Loy and Dr. Cheryl Thompson, the minor housed in the Faculty of Arts, will launch with courses from 13 departments and schools within the Faculty of Arts, The Creative School and the Ted Rogers School of Management. Additional courses will be added to the minor as different departments and programs develop them.  

Thank you to the many individuals who supported the development of the Black Studies Minor across the University including and especially students!

Dr. Melanie Knight & Dr. Cheryl Thompson Interviewed on Breakfast Television  

Featured Course


The Black Studies minor is administered by the Department of English.

Literature holds a powerful place in Black history, Black life and Black Studies.

The Black diasporic experience is one of inter and intra migration, connections to, and entanglements within the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. Therefore, also key was a course (and its disciplinary weight) that could speak to the Black diasporic experience, including specific attention to the Black Canadian diaspora.