The Ethnic Studies major involves critically examining the interlocking forces of race, gender, class, sexuality, and other forms of social differentiation that shape the histories and experiences of racially marginalized groups. The programs of study interrogate how these socially constructed ideas impact distribution of social goods, affect life chances, shape identities and worldviews, and reproduce social inequalities. Drawing from interdisciplinary and comparative theoretical frameworks, we bring to bear issues of power, privilege, and social justice pertinent to the experiences of diverse populations in the U.S. and abroad. We are especially committed to nurturing civic-minded and culturally informed students who strive to strengthen the communities in which they reside. In support of the land-grant mission of CSU, students and faculty in the Ethnic Studies program engage with communities on and off campus in order to effect meaningful change in public policy and social life.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program of study, students will demonstrate:
- An understanding of the key concepts shaping the experiences of various racial and ethnic groups in the United States and abroad.
- Familiarity with social histories and experiences of racial and ethnic groups.
- Effective oral communication, writing, and research skills.
- An increase in critical thinking, intellectual, and personal growth.
- An understanding of the value of social consciousness and personal responsibility.
Potential Occupations
Both theoretical understandings of and practical experience in cross-cultural and inter-ethnic relations are invaluable in today’s world. Ethnic Studies graduates work in the following fields and occupations: K-12 and adult education (e.g. refugee/immigrant education, diversity training in the private sector); human social services including counseling, health care, and civil service; federal, state, tribal, and local government, and community service; natural resources development and technology transfer: practices, economics, and law in ethnic contexts; communications media such as newspaper, radio, video, and television; archival and museum studies; non-profit agencies; and advanced studies including graduate programs in the social sciences and professional programs (e.g. law, social work).
Concentrations
Effective Fall 2017
Students in the Ethnic Studies major must earn a minimum grade of C (2.000) for all Ethnic Studies courses required for the major.
Freshman | |||
---|---|---|---|
AUCC | Credits | ||
CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | 1A | 3 |
ETST 100 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies (GT-SS3) | 3E | 3 |
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 6 | |
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 3 | |
Diversity and Global Awareness | 3E | 3 | |
Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |
Quantitative Reasoning | 1B | 3 | |
Electives | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 27 | ||
Sophomore | |||
Select one course from the following: | 3 | ||
Introduction to Native American Literature | |||
Native American Cultural Experience (GT-AH2) | 3B | ||
Native American History (GT-HI1) | 3D | ||
Indigenous Women, Children, and Tribes | |||
Development in Indian Country | |||
Indigenous Film and Video | |||
Native American Literature | |||
Federal Indian Law and Policy | |||
Select one course from the following: | 3 | ||
African American History (GT-HI1) | 3D | ||
African-American Studies | |||
Black Cinema and Media | |||
African American Periods and Personalities | |||
Black Feminism(s) | |||
Africa and African Diaspora | |||
Select one course from the following: | 3 | ||
Introduction to Chicano Literature | |||
Chicanx History and Culture (GT-HI1) | 3E | ||
La Chicana in Society | |||
Latinx Populations in the U.S. | |||
Contemporary Chicanx Issues | |||
Latina/o Creative Expression | |||
Latinx Routes to Empowerment | |||
Chicanx Film and Video | |||
Select one course from the following: | 3 | ||
Asian American History (GT-HI1) | 3D | ||
Ethnicity and Film: Asian-American Experience | |||
Asian-Pacific Americans and the Law | |||
Asian American Social Movements, 1945-Present | |||
Select one course from the following: | 3 | ||
Ethnicity and the Media (GT-SS3) | 3E | ||
Border Crossings: People/Politics/Culture (GT-SS3) | 3E | ||
Queer Studies and Women of Color | |||
Global Environmental Justice Movements | |||
Caribbean Identities | |||
The Modern Caribbean | |||
Italian Ethnic Identity, Culture, and Gender | |||
Queer Creative Expressions | |||
Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |
Minor/Interdisciplinary Minor1 | 3 | ||
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 4 | |
Electives | 6 | ||
Total Credits | 31 | ||
Junior | |||
Select one from the following: | 3 | ||
Race Formation in the United States | 4A,4B | ||
Ethnicity, Class, and Gender in the U.S. | 4A,4B | ||
Select 9 credits from the following in consultation with advisor:2 | 9 | ||
African American courses | |||
Asian/Pacific American courses | |||
Chicano(a)/Latino(a) courses | |||
Native American courses | |||
Global Ethnic Studies (select from the following)3 | |||
Ethnicity and the Media (GT-SS3) | 3E | ||
Border Crossings: People/Politics/Culture (GT-SS3) | 3E | ||
Queer Studies and Women of Color | |||
Global Environmental Justice Movements | |||
Caribbean Identities | |||
The Modern Caribbean | |||
Minor/Interdisciplinary Minor1 | 8 | ||
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |
Electives | 7 | ||
Total Credits | 30 | ||
Senior | |||
ETST 487 | Internship–Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
ETST 493 | Ethnic Studies Research Methods and Writing | 4A,4B,4C | 3 |
Minor/Interdisciplinary Minor1 | 10 | ||
Electives4 | 16 | ||
Total Credits | 32 | ||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |
1 | Students must complete a minor/interdisciplinary minor consistent with the student’s program of study. A minimum total of 21 credits, 12 of which are upper division, is required. |
2 | Seniors may select with advisor approval ETST 541, ETST 550, ETST 531, ETST 535. |
3 | Seniors may select with advisor approval from ETST 500-level courses. |
4 | Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level). |
Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program: Students in the Ethnic Studies major must earn a minimum grade of C (2.000) for all Ethnic Studies courses required for the major.
Freshman | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Semester 1 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
ETST 100 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies (GT-SS3) | X | 3E | 3 | |
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |||
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 3 | |||
Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |||
Total Credits | 12 | ||||
Semester 2 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | X | 1A | 3 | |
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |||
Diversity and Global Awareness | 3E | 3 | |||
Quantitative Reasoning | X | 1B | 3 | ||
Elective | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Sophomore | |||||
Semester 3 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
Ethnic Studies Courses (See Major Requirements Tab for list of acceptable courses) | 9 | ||||
Minor/Interdisciplinary Minor | 3 | ||||
Elective | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Semester 4 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
Ethnic Studies Courses (See Major Requirements Tab for list of acceptable courses) | 6 | ||||
Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |||
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 4 | |||
Elective | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Junior | |||||
Semester 5 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
Select one course from the following: | 3 | ||||
Race Formation in the United States | 4A,4B | ||||
Ethnicity, Class, and Gender in the U.S. | 4A,4B | ||||
Ethnic Studies Courses (See list on Major requirements tab and choose courses in consultation with advisor) | 3 | ||||
Minor/Interdisciplinary Minor | 4 | ||||
Electives | 4 | ||||
Total Credits | 14 | ||||
Semester 6 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
Ethnic Studies Courses (See list on Major requirements tab and choose courses in consultation with advisor) | 6 | ||||
Minor/Interdisciplinary Minor | 4 | ||||
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |||
Elective | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Senior | |||||
Semester 7 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
ETST 487 | Internship–Ethnic Studies | 3 | |||
Minor/Interdisciplinary Minor | 5 | ||||
Electives | 10 | ||||
Total Credits | 18 | ||||
Semester 8 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
ETST 493 | Ethnic Studies Research Methods and Writing | X | 4A,4B,4C | 3 | |
Minor/Interdisciplinary Minor | X | 5 | |||
Electives | X | 6 | |||
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study. | X | ||||
Total Credits | 14 | ||||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |