What is Ethnic Studies?

Ethnic Studies is both the comparative study of ethnicity and the study of the culture and history of particular ethnic groups within the United States. As the study of ethnicity, Ethnic Studies examines factors that account for the creation and maintenance of ethnic identity, the development of ethnic stereotypes and prejudice, and the quality of ethnic relations. In regard to particular ethnic groups, Ethnic Studies encourages the exploration of the specific histories, values, and contributions of the country’s many constituent groups. Ethnic Studies provides the means to identify the prejudices and assumptions that have shaped traditional scholarship in the academic disciplines and to correct these biases.

Ethnic Studies at Albion College:
Since knowledge of ethnic traditions and ethnic relations are sought after by many fields including but not limited to politics, social services, business, law, medicine, and psychology-related careers, an ethnic studies major would prepare students to become successful in an increasingly multicultural society.

Requirements for the Major in Ethnic Studies (8 Units)

1. Introduction to Ethnic Studies (ETHN 103). The gateway course to the Ethnic Studies Program, developed and taught by Diana Ariza. This is a required course for all students, except when an exemption is granted by the director/chair of the program.

2. Five units from three different departments: to be chosen from the courses listed below because: a) they are offered regularly; b) they provide the interdisciplinary theoretical and practical analysis of how race and ethnicity are studied within their academic discipline; and c) these courses align specifically with the mission and learning outcomes of Ethnic Studies. The five courses must be selected in consultation with the Director of the Program or the Ethnic Studies faculty. Three of the five courses must be at the 300 level and the other two can be at the 200 level.

 

Race and Representation in American Art (Art and Art History 312, Bille Wickre)
Race and Ethnicity (Anthropology and Sociology 345, Len Berkey)
Intercultural Communication (Speech 313, Karen Erlandson)
The 1960’s (History 398, Wes Dick)
Poetry by Women of Color (English 329, Helena Mesa)
 Going North: Latin American Immigration and US, History 270, Deborah Kanter)
 Hispanic Literature and Cultures in the US (Spanish 362, Julia Medina)
 Problems of Race in American Literature (English 360, Judy Lockyer)
Latina/o Literature (English 211, Helena Mesa)
History of Women in the U.S 1877-present (History 340, Trisha Franzen)
 Postmodernism and Theatre, (Theatre 372, Jennifer Chapman)
 La Louisiane Française: Les Expériences Cadiennes et Créoles (Français 330, Dianne Guenin-Lelle)
Caribbean Identity and Diaspora (ETHN 260, Diana Ariza)
 African American History, 1865 to the Present (History 243, Marcy Sacks)
African Identities (History 289, Matt Carotenuto)
 The Rise & Fall of British India, 1754-1947 (History 402, Christopher Hagerman)
Issues in Modern Political Economy (Greg Saltzman, E&M 322)

Labor Economics ( Jonathan Lanning, E&M 354)

"Our Americas":Crossing Borders, Histories and Cultures (Julia Medina, FRNL 107)

Other courses will be added to this list as they are reviewed by the Ethnic Studies Program.

3. Theory and Practice in Ethnic Studies (ETHN 370). This capstone course provides an examination of the development of ethnic and race relations, ethnic and race discrimination, and American identity using a variety of theoretical perspectives. From theory, students move on to discussion of some current methodological dilemmas in conducting research on race and ethnicity. Students will be asked to conduct field work on a topic of their interest in the field of race/ethnicity in education.

4. Internship or Off Campus Experience (one unit). This provides the “hands on” experience with “OTHER” ethnic and racial communities. Students upon returning must submit a journal report to the Chair of the Ethnic Studies Committee on how their experience has enhanced their multicultural understanding of the world. Students, working in consultation with the Ethnic Studies Chair, are encouraged to explore a variety of options for the internship experience.

Students interested in the Ethnic Studies Major should consider enrolling in the gateway course, Introduction to Ethnic Studies (ETHN103), which also fulfills the ethnicity category requirements. For more information, contact the Chair/director of the program, Dr. 'Dimeji Togunde (Anthropology/Sociology) or Dr. Diana Ariza (Ethnic Studies).