Faculty
Helena G. Mesa, program chair and associate professor.
B.A., 1994, Indiana University; M.F.A., 1997, University of Maryland; Ph.D., 2003, University of Houston. Appointed 2003.
Michael Dixon, associate professor.
B.F.A., 1999, Arizona State University; M.F.A., 2005, University of Colorado at Boulder. Appointed 2008.
Eric D. Hill, assistant professor.
B.A., 2004, Oglethorpe University; M.A., 2007, Ph.D., 2010, Arizona State University. Appointed 2010.
Dominick N. Quinney, assistant professor.
B.S., 2007, Ph.D., 2013, Michigan State University. Appointed 2013.
Lynn Verduzco-Baker, assistant professor.
B.A., California State University, Fresno; M.S., Ph.D., University of Michigan. Appointed 2011.
Majors and Minors
Requirements for Major
- Eight units, including the following:
Ethnic Studies 103, one unit.
Five units from an approved list of courses (see below). These courses, to be selected in consultation with the program chair, must include two at the 200-level and three at the 300-level. They must be selected from three different departments.
An ethnic studies-related internship (or off-campus experience), one unit. The internship, providing hands-on experience with other racial or ethnic communities, may be completed in ethnic communities elsewhere in the United States or in study and research in ancestral communities or multi-ethnic communities outside the United States. Students upon returning must schedule an appointment with the ethnic studies faculty and submit evaluation form(s) and journal report to the ethnic studies faculty on how their experience has enhanced their multicultural understanding of the world. Students, working in consultation with the program chair, are encouraged to explore a variety of options for the internship experience.
Ethnic Studies 370, one unit.
Ethnic Studies Major Electives
The following courses may be used to fulfill the elective component in the ethnic studies major.
- Anthropology and Sociology
- 280 Children of Immigrants (same as ETHN 280)
345 Race and Ethnicity - Art History
- 312 Race and Its Representation in American Art
- Communication Studies
- 213 Intercultural Communication
- Economics and Management
- 322 Issues in Modern Political Economy
- 354 Labor Economics
- Education
- 202 Foundational Contexts of Education
- English
- 211 Latina/o Literature
- 360 The Problem of Race in American Literature
- Ethnic Studies
- 260 Caribbean Identity and Migration
270 Hip Hop for Social Change
280 Children of Immigrants (same as A&S 280) - French
- 330 French Louisiana
- History
- 142 Modern Latin America
- 243 African American History, 1865 to the Present
- 270 Going North: Latin American Immigration and U.S. History
- 300 Slave Societies of the Americas
- 385 British India
- 390 History of Women in the United States, 1877-Present
398 The 1960s
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- 107 "Our Americas": Crossing Borders, Histories, and Cultures
- Spanish
- 362 Hispanic Literature and Cultures in the U.S.
- Theatre
- 372 Postmodernism and Theatre
- Selected 189, 289, 389 Courses (as approved by the ethnic studies chair)
Requirements for Minor
- Five units, including:
- Ethnic Studies 103 (1 unit);
- Ethnic Studies 370 (1 unit);
- Three units from the elective ethnic studies courses; and
- Elective ethnic studies courses must come from at least two of the lists below.
- Elective courses should be selected in consultation with an ethnic studies faculty member and reported to the Ethnic Studies Program chair.
- All courses must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis.
Ethnic Studies Minor Electives
List 1: Arts and Humanities*
Art History 312: Race and Its Representation in American Art
English 211: Latina/o Literature
English 360: The Problem of Race in American Literature
Ethnic Studies 270: Hip Hop for Social Change
French 330: French Louisiana
Modern Languages 107: “Our Americas”: Crossing Borders, Histories, and Cultures
Spanish 362: Hispanic Literature and Cultures in the U.S.
Theatre 372: Postmodernism and Theatre
List 2: Politics and Society*
Anthropology and Sociology 280: Children of Immigrants (Same as Ethnic Studies 280)
Anthropology and Sociology 345: Race and Ethnicity
Communication Studies 213: Intercultural Communication
Economics and Management 322: Issues in Modern Political Economy
Economics and Management 354: Labor Economics
Ethnic Studies 289: Diversity and Education
Ethnic Studies 289: Social Movements
List 3: History of Ethnic Communities*
History 142: Modern Latin America
History 243: African American History 1865—Present
History 270: Going North: Latin American Immigration and U.S. History
History 300: Slave Societies of the Americas
History 385: British India
History 390: History of Women in the United States, 1877-Present
History 398: The 1960s
*Or courses approved by the Ethnic Studies Program.
Ethnic Studies Courses
103 Introduction to Ethnic Studies (1)
An introduction to the comparative study of ethnicity, as well as the history and culture of particular ethnic groups in America. Issues--ethnic identity, ethnocentrism, discrimination, assimilation and multiculturalism--are analyzed from a variety of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and the arts. Serves as the introductory course for the ethnic studies concentration. Staff.
187, 188, 189 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
260 Caribbean Identity and Migration (1)
Examines the cultural richness and diversity of the Caribbean diaspora with an emphasis on the Spanish-speaking islands, including Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, drawing on music, literature, film and history. Considers how this population continues to influence growth and change in American society by looking at issues of identity, migration patterns, and broader economic, cultural and social conditions. Staff.
270 Hip Hop for Social Change (1)
Investigates the social, cultural and political dynamics of the hip hop generation. Uses hip hop to frame the analysis of U.S. and urban “social problems” since the late 1960s. Introduces the sociohistorical and sociopolitical roots and development of hip hop, its impact on popular and youth culture, and its significance for understanding American society. Addresses major topics surrounding hip hop including race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, social class, segregation/mass incarceration, politics, and education. Examines scholarly and popular texts, film, hip hop music, and original student work to gain a comprehensive understanding of these issues. Quinney.
280 Children of Immigrants (1)
Prerequisite: A&S 101 or Ethnic Studies 103.
A study of theoretical arguments in the current literature on immigrant adaptation and assimilation, as well as public fears of multiculturalism. Examines in depth the renegotiation of identity and the process of incorporation for immigrant families in the U.S. and how these experiences contrast to immigrants living in the Netherlands, France, Canada and the United Kingdom. Staff.
287, 288, 289 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
370 Theories and Methods in Ethnic Studies (1)
Prerequisite: Ethnic Studies 103 or permission of instructor.
Designed as a capstone course to integrate students’ internship and course work experiences and deepen their analytical understanding of issues related to race/ethnicity. Examines the development of ethnic and race relations, ethnic and race discrimination, and American identity using different multicultural theoretical perspectives. Includes field work and/or other research on a topic related to race/ethnicity. Staff.
387, 388, 389 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
391, 392 Internship (1/2, 1)
Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
401, 402 Seminar (1/2, 1) Staff.
411, 412 Directed Study (1/2, 1)
Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. Staff.
