Black and Latino Studies

The Department of Black and Latino Studies at Baruch was born from a struggle for racial justice, equity, and opportunity in higher education. In the 1960s interracial coalitions of students, faculty, and staff all over the United States organized to establish academic spaces that recognize Black and Latinx people’s intellectual and cultural contributions to the world. This intervention created the path for a range of interdisciplinary academic departments and programs, including Ethnic Studies, LGBT+ Studies, Women and Gender Studies.

Today, the Black and Latino Studies Department offers interdisciplinary, intersectional approaches to the study of the ideas, history, politics, literature, music, religions, cultures, economic and social contributions by people of African and Latin American descent, including the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

The department prepares students for their civic and professional lives beyond college; it is unique in its commitment to community development as well as social and racial justice. Our courses create opportunities to develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, advanced writing, communication, and research. Our courses also practice digital literacies, collaboration, and project management—important workforce skills. The interdisciplinary structure of our courses also offer excellent preparation for graduate school as well as for careers in education, the law, business, public relations, marketing, journalism, the arts, and education.

Students can minor in the areas of Black Studies (BLS), Latino Studies (LTS), or in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS). Students also have the option to major in Black and Latino Studies through the Baruch College Ad Hoc Major. Graduates pursue careers and advanced degrees in law, education, politics, business, marketing, journalism, and the arts.

The department organizes scholarly talks, teach-ins, film screenings, exhibitions and other events for the entire college community. Our community blog is a digital space for announcements, information, and learning opportunities. The Black Studies Colloquium (BSC) is a faculty-led, public forum to exchange ideas, works-in-progress, and professional development; and our collaborations with the Initiative for the Study of Latin America (ISLA) share the commitment to promote the study of Latin America as well as U.S. Latinx Studies.