COURSE CURRICULUM

The Ethnic Studies major requires the completion of 36 units of coursework that includes lower division, upper division, and concentration elective courses designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the experiences, histories, and cultures of diverse ethnic groups. The program begins with a foundational lower division course, ETHN 11 Introduction to Ethnic Studies, which introduces students to key concepts related to race, ethnicity, identity, and social inequality while providing an overview of the historical development of ethnic studies as an academic discipline. After completing the introductory course, students must take a set of upper division core courses totaling 21 units. These courses examine the historical and contemporary experiences of different ethnic communities in the United States. Required courses include ETHN 100 Ethnic America, which explores the development of ethnic groups and their contributions to American society; ETHN 110 The Asian American Experience; ETHN 130 Chicano/Mexican-American Experience or ETHN 131 La Raza Studies; ETHN 140 Native American Experience; and ETHN 170 Pan African Studies. These courses provide students with an in-depth understanding of the cultural traditions, political movements, and social challenges faced by these communities. Students also complete ETHN 194 Research in Ethnic Studies, which develops research and analytical skills, along with ETHN 195A Ethnic Studies Fieldwork and ETHN 195B Ethnic Studies Seminar, which provide practical learning experiences and opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world social issues. In addition to the core courses, students must complete 12 units of concentration electives by selecting one of several concentrations, including Asian American Studies, Chicana/o Studies, General Ethnic Studies, Native American Studies, Pan African Studies, Teachers in Bilingual Education, or Teachers in Urban Settings. The General Ethnic Studies concentration allows students to select four upper division courses from a wide range of topics such as identity, politics, culture, social justice, and community development. Along with the major coursework, students must also complete 43 units of General Education requirements in areas such as communication, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to ensure a broad academic foundation.