This major will launch in fall 2024; students will be able to declare it starting in spring 2024.
The African continent is the source of human civilization and its diaspora serves a major source for popular music and culture around the world, emanating especially from the Caribbean, South and Central America, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The Black music and culture major analyzes how the brilliance, resilience, and hope of Black creative expression has influenced music and culture across the globe. Students engage with and contextualize the historical, social, artistic, and cultural contributions of the global African diaspora at the intersection of arts and culture, namely music, dance, and theater.
The Black music and culture major educates, mentors, and transforms students into cultural leaders, socially responsible researchers—scholars, and artists who create innovative and inclusive modes of expression. Students in this major emerge as well trained musicians in the Berklee tradition and well-rounded individuals who are able to engage in music and culture through the lens of the African diaspora. Graduates go on to work as cultural tradition bearers, professional musicians, educators, arts and cultural nonprofit leaders, cultural curators, and scholars.
