The Chloe Center > Undergraduate > Major Requirements

To fulfill the general requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, students majoring in Critical Diaspora Studies (CDS) must complete a total of 36 credits via 12 courses in CDS or courses cross-listed in CDS, including the following.

Students majoring in CDS maintain a close working relationship with their major adviser and/or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, meeting at least twice each term to coordinate their progress through the program.

General Requirements

  • Required introductory course: Introduction to Critical Diaspora Studies (3 credits)
  • Required methods course: Methods in Critical Diaspora Studies (3 credits)
  • Readings requirement:  Two readings courses from the following tracks: (6 credits). Consult with Director of Undergraduate Studies to determine which courses fulfill the readings requirements. 
    • Migration and Borders (CDS-MB)
    •  Global Indigeneities (CDS-GI)
    •  Empires, Wars, and Carceralities (CDS-EWC) 
    •  Solidarities, Social Movements, and Citizenship (CDS-SSMC) 

CDS track requirement

Three courses in one of the following tracks (9 credits). Two courses must be at the 300 level. Cross-listed First-Year Seminar can count toward track requirement at the 100 level.

  • Migration and Borders
  • Global Indigeneities
  • Empires, Wars, and Carceralities
  • Solidarities, Social Movements, and Citizenship

CDS elective requirement

Three additional courses from each of the other 3 tracks or courses in other majors (in consultation with Director of Undergraduate Studies). At least one course must be at the 300 level (9 credits). Cross-listed First-Year Seminar can count toward elective requirement at the 100 level if not counted toward track requirement.

Community-engaged learning requirement

Two consecutive courses community-engaged learning, or nonconsecutive in consultation with Director of Undergraduate Studies (6 credits).

Language requirement

Additionally, students majoring in CDS must complete the language requirement of four courses in language through the intermediate level (12–20 credits). Modern languages offered at JHU are automatically accepted towards this requirement. Other relevant languages can meet the requirement with approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students may waive some or all of the language requirement by taking a placement exam and in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.