Ethnic Studies explores and examines the factors that bear on the lives and experiences, both past and present, of ethnically diverse peoples. The Institute for Ethnic Studies is interdisciplinary and focuses on the experiences of individuals and groups who are of African, African American, Latinx, Latin American, Indigenous, and Asian American origin or descent both in the United States and elsewhere. The major, which is interdisciplinary, will be useful to all students, particularly those in the humanities, social sciences, business, engineering, and education, as well as students who plan to work in community organizing, human resources, politics, or law.
Within the Institute, a major or minor can be taken in Ethnic Studies (described below). Minors are also available in African Studies, African American Studies, Latinx Studies, Latin American Studies, and Indigenous Studies.
Students may choose to focus their coursework in ways that meet their specific interests and career goals. All students complete a core set of requirements and can determine, in consultation with faculty and their academic advisor, which specific option to follow. The option will be documented on the final transcript.
Multi-Ethnic Studies Option
The option in Multi-Ethnic Studies gives students the opportunity to widen their academic horizons by studying an array of minoritized U.S. cultures, including peoples of African American, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian American and Pacific Islander origin or descent.
African and African American Studies Option
The option in African and African American Studies gives students the opportunity to widen their academic horizons by studying a vast, diverse, and important part of the world--the continent of Africa--along with African American history, politics, and culture in the United States.
Latinx and Latin American Studies Option
The option in Latinx and Latin American Studies gives students the opportunity to widen their academic horizons by studying a vast, diverse, and important part of the world--Central and South America--along with the history, politics, and culture of people of Latin American origin or descent living in the United States.
Indigenous Studies Option
The option in Indigenous Studies gives students the opportunity to widen their academic horizons by studying a vast, diverse, and important segment of world culture: Indigenous history, politics, and culture. Indigenous Studies focuses on people of Native American origin or descent living in the United States as well as upon issues of indigeneity around the world.
Graduates of ethnic studies will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of U.S. and/or transnational ethnic history.
- Demonstrate an understanding of U.S. and/or transnational culture and civilization.
- Demonstrate an understanding of U.S. and/or transnational concerns with race, ethnicity, and diversity.
- Demonstrate an understanding of U.S. and/or transnational concerns with immigration.
- Use and analyze library and other research resources.
- Think critically about disciplinary and interdisciplinary issues.
- Recognize logical fallacies.