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Ethnic Studies

Overview

Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary and diverse field that gives voice to historically marginalized peoples and their perspectives by challenging systems of injustice and valuing diversity. Our courses seek to educate students on progressive social change, reflect on the dynamics of power and knowledge, and promote multiple approaches to social justice issues while encouraging students to be informed and active citizens. Ethnic Studies allows students a particular focus on marginalized and disadvantaged populations while also de-centering the dominant cultural, political, and social ideals that have shaped western societies.

Ethnic Studies (ETHNS) Courses

ETHNS 299 Experimental Offering in Ethnic Studies

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

ETHNS 300 Introduction to Ethnic Studies

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Local GE L6; Cal-GETC Area 4; Cal-GETC Area 6
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the diverse institutional, cultural, and historical issues relating to the past and present life circumstances and intersectional identities of the four core Ethnic populations of Asian Americans, Chicana/o Americans, African Americans, and Native/Indigenous Americans within the United States.

ETHNS 320 Introduction to African American Studies

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Local GE L6; Cal-GETC Area 4; Cal-GETC Area 6
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the diverse institutional, cultural, and historical issues relating to the past and present life circumstances of African Americans within the United States. This course is interdisciplinary in nature and presents an overview of the cultural, economic, historic, social, and political issues in the life of African Americans in the United States. It will expose students of all ethnic backgrounds to the issues germane to the experiences of African Americans in the United States.

ETHNS 330 Introduction to Asian American Studies

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Local GE L6; Cal-GETC Area 4; Cal-GETC Area 6
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the diverse institutional, cultural, and historical issues relating to the past and present life circumstances and intersectional identities of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

ETHNS 350 Introduction to Native American Studies

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Local GE L6; Cal-GETC Area 4; Cal-GETC Area 6
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the diverse institutional, cultural, and historical issues relating to the past and present life circumstances and intersectional identities of Native Americans/American Indians within the United States. It provides a survey of traditional cultures of Native Americans/American Indians focusing on the social, religious, economic, and artistic practices. The antiquity, distribution, and linguistic histories of Native American/American Indian cultures are integrated with the contemporary status of Native peoples regarding social change and adaptation.

ETHNS 360 Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Local GE L6; Cal-GETC Area 4; Cal-GETC Area 6
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the diverse institutional, cultural, and historical issues relating to the past and present life circumstances and intersectional identities of Chicana/o/x Americans within the United States. Specifically, this course examines and redefines the lives of Chicana/o/x Americans through their own experiences from the inside looking out at the world.

ETHNS 499 Experimental Offering in Ethnic Studies

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

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