Major in Ethnic Studies < Colorado State University

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

Social Studies Teaching Concentration

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
ETST 234/E 234	Introduction to Native American Literature
ETST 240	Native American Cultural Experience (GT-AH2)	3B
ETST 255/HIST 255	Native American History (GT-HI1)	3D
ETST 352/SOWK 352	Indigenous Women, Children, and Tribes
ETST 414/ANTH 414	Development in Indian Country
ETST 425	Indigenous Film and Video
ETST 438/E 438	Native American Literature
ETST 444/SOC 444	Federal Indian Law and Policy
Select one course from the following:			3
ETST 250/HIST 250	African American History (GT-HI1)	3D
ETST 310	African-American Studies
ETST 354	Black Cinema and Media
ETST 410	African American Periods and Personalities
ETST 411	Black Feminism(s)
ETST 412	Africa and African Diaspora
Select one course from the following:			3
ETST 239/E 239	Introduction to Chicano Literature
ETST 253	Chicanx History and Culture (GT-HI1)	3E
ETST 254	La Chicana in Society
ETST 261	Latinx Populations in the U.S.
ETST 332	Contemporary Chicanx Issues
ETST 430	Latina/o Creative Expression
ETST 432	Latinx Routes to Empowerment
ETST 454/SPCM 454	Chicanx Film and Video
Select one course from the following:			3
ETST 252/HIST 252	Asian American History (GT-HI1)	3D
ETST 320	Ethnicity and Film: Asian-American Experience
ETST 324	Asian-Pacific Americans and the Law
ETST 364/HIST 364	Asian American Social Movements, 1945-Present
Select one course from the following:			3
ETST 205	Ethnicity and the Media (GT-SS3)	3E
ETST 256	Border Crossings: People/Politics/Culture (GT-SS3)	3E
ETST 300	Queer Studies and Women of Color
ETST 365	Global Environmental Justice Movements
ETST 370	Caribbean Identities
ETST 371	The Modern Caribbean
ETST 382/LGEN 382	Italian Ethnic Identity, Culture, and Gender
ETST 413	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
ETST 404	Race Formation in the United States	4A,4B
ETST 405	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
ETST 205	Ethnicity and the Media (GT-SS3)	3E
ETST 256	Border Crossings: People/Politics/Culture (GT-SS3)	3E
ETST 300	Queer Studies and Women of Color
ETST 365	Global Environmental Justice Movements
ETST 370	Caribbean Identities
ETST 371	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

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.

Seniors may select with advisor approval ETST 541, ETST 550, ETST 531, ETST 535.

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
ETST 404	Race Formation in the United States			4A,4B
ETST 405	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