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ETHNIC STUDIES

College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

• BACHELOR OF ARTS
• MINOR
• CERTIFICATE
• CAREER POSSIBILITIES
• FACULTY
• CONTACT
• COMPLETE COURSE LISTING

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the cultures, languages, historical, and contemporary issues relating to African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicana/os-Latina/os, and Native Americans. The program directs students to critically examine the cultural contributions made by these groups to world civilization and to American society. Ethnic Studies challenges all students to analyze existing generalizations, theories, and concepts about racial and ethnic groups in order to develop valid generalizations, concepts, and theories about the people and their experiences. Students are encouraged to actively work to eliminate problems based on discrimination.

Students are also encouraged to blend professional area studies with Ethnic Studies. For example, a student may major in Ethnic Studies and minor in Business Administration. Similarly, students with a degree in Engineering Technology may minor in Ethnic Studies and emerge well-prepared professionally to assume middle management and supervisory positions in a multicultural society. Ethnic Studies majors and minors enter careers and professions in both the public and private sectors. Program advising and other information can be obtained from the Ethnic Studies Office.

Specializations

• BA: Ethnic Studies with a concentration in one of the following: Asian American Studies / Chicana/o Studies / Native American Studies / Pan African Studies, and General Ethnic Studies.

Special Features

• A student who majors in Ethnic Studies will not only have a strong background in one of the five areas of specializations but will also gain broad background knowledge of other ethnic groups. Each program area develops its major focus in coordination with other program areas.
• Ethnic Studies encourages students to actively participate in community service learning projects. These projects afford students such opportunities as working directly with community-based organizations and/or agencies, local high schools, and/or middle schools.
• Ethnic Studies regularly sponsors cultural programs providing an opportunity for learning more about the experiences of the social groups framing the content of the Ethnic Studies program.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Requirements – Bachelor of Arts Degree

Units required for Major: 36
Minimum total units required for BA: 120

A. Required Lower Division Course (3 units)
(3)	ETHN 11	Introduction to Ethnic Studies
B. Required Upper Division Courses (21 units)
(3)	ETHN 100	Ethnic America (GWAR Certification before Fall 09, or WPJ score of 80+, or C or higher grade in ENGL 109M/W, or C- grade in ENGL 109M/W or WPJ score 70/71 and ENGL 109X co-requisite)
(3)	ETHN 110	The Asian American Experience
(3)	ETHN 130	Chicano/Mexican-American Experience OR
	ETHN 131	La Raza Studies
(3)	ETHN 140	Native American Experience
(3)	ETHN 170	Pan African Studies
(3)	ETHN 194	Research in Ethnic Studies
(3)	ETHN 195	Ethnic Studies Fieldwork and Seminar

C. Electives (12 units)

(12) Four upper division Ethnic Studies and/or cross-listed courses selected with advisor approval to provide the opportunity for social, cultural and historical study; should also apply to the area of concentration; see note below.

Notes:

• Contact the Department for a list of approved electives.
• A concentration must be declared in Asian American Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Native American Studies, Pan African Studies, or General Ethnic Studies. The concentration includes 12 units of electives.

Requirements - Minor

Total units required for Minor: 21 with no more than 6 lower division units.

(3)	ETHN 11	Introduction to Ethnic Studies
(3)	ETHN 110	The Asian American Experience
(3)	ETHN 130	Chicano/Mexican-American Experience OR
	ETHN 131	La Raza Studies
(3)	ETHN 140	Native American Experience
(3)	ETHN 170	Pan African Studies
(6)	Electives approved by the appropriate program director or chair

Requirements - Minor - Asian American Studies

Total units required for Minor: 21

(3)	ETHN 11	Introduction to Ethnic Studies OR
	ETHN 14	Introduction to Asian American Studies
(3)	ETHN 110	The Asian American Experience
(3)	ETHN 112	Contemporary Asian American Issues
(3)	ETHN 113	Asian American Communities
(9)	Select three of the following:
	ETHN 111	Southeast Asians in the U.S.
	ETHN 114	Asian Americans and Globalization
	ETHN 115	Biracial and Multicultural Identity in the U.S.
	ETHN 116	Asian American Politics and Public Policy
	ETHN/WOMS 118	Asian American Women
	ETHN 119	The Filipino American Experience
	ETHN 121	Hmong American Experience
	ETHN 167	Asian American Families: Issues and Perspectives
	ETHN 194	Research in Ethnic Studies
	ETHN 195	Ethnic Studies Fieldwork and Seminar
	Elective(s) approved by the Director of Asian American Studies

Requirements - Minor - Native American Studies

Total units required for Minor: 21

(3)	ETHN 53	Introduction to Native American Studies
(3)	ETHN 140	Native American Experience
(3)	ETHN 152	American Indians, Sovereignty and U.S. Laws
(12)	Electives approved by Native American Studies Program Director

Requirements - Certificate - Pan African Studies

Total units required for Certificate: 24

A certificate in Pan African Studies is available with special permission through the Ethnic Studies Department. Students enrolled in the Cooper-Woodson College Enhancement Program are eligible for this certificate. The Director of Pan African Studies certifies those eligible for this certificate.

(3)	ETHN/ GOVT 141	Politics of the African Diaspora
(3)	ETHN 170	Pan African Studies
(3)	ETHN 172	Black Women in America
(3)	HIST 7	History of African Civilizations OR
	HIST 141	History of Africa Since 1800
(3)	HIST 142	History of Women in Africa
(3)	HIST 177	The African-American Experience, 1603-present
(3) Select a course in African culture
(3) Select a course in African society

Career Possibilities

The rich educational experience of Ethnic Studies majors and minors are excellent preparation for careers and professions in the public and private sectors, as well as graduate school. Ethnic Studies majors and minors enter government service, politics, community/social service, business, public school teaching/administration, higher education teaching/administration, social work, counseling, law, journalism, and much more.

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