Ethnic Studies Concentration

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The Ethnic Studies Concentration provides students with an understanding of the forces that have made African Americans, Native Americans, and Latinos integral, and yet distinct, groups in American society. This interdisciplinary course of study, offered by departments in the humanities and social sciences, introduces analytical skills that are required to understand the cultural, economic and political factors, both historical and modern, that have shaped these ethnic groups.

The inclusion of theories of ethnicity and race assists students in developing the critical tools necessary to understand and evaluate issues of democracy and cultural pluralism in a complex country and world. The concentration also encourages comparative study of ethnicity, thus emphasizing that the study of ethnic identity and relations is a part of understanding the human experience.

1. Completion of six courses to include:

a. Ethnic Relations Course

b. Track Selection

Three courses from one track and one course from a second track. At least two of these four courses must be at the 300 level or higher. An approved independent study course may substitute for one of these four courses.

Native American Track

Latin American Track

c. Choose one elective from the following

One course from among the following electives that emphasizes comparative ethnic studies or a course from one of the above tracks (provided that no more than three courses are chosen from a single track). An approved independent study course may substitute for this requirement.

d. Concentration Satisfaction

Of the six courses applied to the concentration no more than three may also satisfy the student’s academic major. The six courses must also represent no fewer than three academic disciplines.

2. An approved essay

An approved essay based on a first-hand experience directly related to the student’s special focus—Africana, Native American, or Latino. Topics may be related to participation in an internship, field research, or international study. The essay is due to the faculty liaison no later than the fifth week of classes in the semester following the completion of the first-hand experience. Standards for the paper are established by the faculty liaison.

3. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses applied toward the concentration.

4. Only one course in any track can be taken pass/fail, and this depends on GPA.

Application Procedure:

The Ethnic Studies Concentration is administered by the Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee. The faculty liaison is Dr. Nancy Fairley. Students must submit a written proposal to the Ethnic Studies faculty liaison by the last day of the fall semester of the junior year. The proposal must specify the courses to be used to satisfy the concentration requirements. Certification of completion of all the requirements for the concentration is made by the Registrar upon the recommendation of the Ethnic Studies faculty liaison.