No course prerequisites are required for this certificate, and there is no sequence of courses. Requirements include five courses that can be taken at any time in the course of graduate studies at Brown University. The courses include theoretical, methodological, and substantive topics around Du Bois, race, and racism. These courses are largely offered in Sociology and may be cross-listed in other departments such as Africana Studies, History, and Anthropology. At least four of the five classes must be at the 2000 level, usually graduate seminars. All courses are graded. Students are also required to complete a paper that expands a writing project in one of the program courses of their choosing or make a presentation in the Department of Sociology on a Du Boisian topic at the end of the certification period.
Curriculum
Courses in Sociology
The following courses in Sociology can be taken as part of the Du Boisian certificate program:
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 2260G | The Souls of Sociology: Graduate Seminar on Du Boisian Sociology |
| SOC 2960O | Sociology of Race and Education |
| SOC 2040 | Classical Sociological Theory (Required) |
| SOC 2050 | Contemporary Sociological Theory (Required) |
| SOC 2260I | Cultural Politics and Critical Social Theory |
| SOC 2961D | The Sociology of Power |
| SOC 1900 | Religion, Christianity, and Spirituality |
Recognizing Completion of the Program
Participants are expected to earn a "B" or better in courses designated for the certificate. The Program Director, in consultation with the Student Affairs Manager, reviews students’ transcripts to verify they have completed the necessary coursework and updates the Graduate Director when students have met all requirements for successful program completion. Successful completion of the requirements of the certificate program will be recognized on the Brown University transcript with a notation indicating the completion of advanced study in Du Boisian thought, race, and racism. A certificate of this type is not currently a recognized qualification in the field of Sociology, and represents a distinctive accomplishment and unique set of scholarly capacities for recipients.