Skip to Content
University Catalog

ETHNIC STUDIES

College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

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 / Education (Teachers in Urban Settings or Teachers in Bilingual Education) / Native American Studies / Pan African Studies/ General Ethnic Studies

Special Features

  • A student who majors in Ethnic Studies will not only have a strong background in one of the seven 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 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M/W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70/71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X)

(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 (One upper-division Ethnic Studies course)

(1)

ETHN 195A

Ethnic Studies Fieldwork (Ethnic Studies majors only; Corequisite: ETHN 195B)

(2)

ETHN 195B

Ethnic Studies Seminar (Ethnic Studies majors only; Corequisite: ETHN 195A)

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, Education (Teachers in Urban Settings or Teachers in Bilingual Education), 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

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 122

Sikh Americans and Globalization

 

ETHN 167

Asian American Families: Issues and Perspectives

 

ETHN 194

Research in Ethnic Studies (One upper-division Ethnic Studies course)

 

ETHN 195A

Ethnic Studies Fieldwork (Ethnic Studies majors only; Corequisite: ETHN 195B)

 

ETHN 195B

Ethnic Studies Seminar (Ethnic Studies majors only; Corequisite: ETHN 195A)

 

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.

Faculty

Greg Mark, Director of Asian American Studies
Julie Figueroa, Director of Chicana/o Latina/o Studies
Brian Baker, Director of Native American Studies
Boatamo Mosupyoe, Director of Pan African Studies

Brian Baker, Julie Figueroa, Timothy Fong, Ricky Green, David León, Gregory Mark, Boatamo Mosupyoe, Elvia Ramirez, Annette Reed, James Sobredo, Rita Cameron Wedding

Contact Information

Boatamo Mosupyoe, Department Chair
Anne Thomas, Administrative Support Coordinator
Amador Hall 463
(916) 278-6646
www.csus.edu/ethn



COMPLETE COURSE LISTING | RETURN TO TOP |