ETS- 1 — Introduction to Ethnic Studies
Description: An introduction to Ethnic Studies offers students an overview of the core theoretical and historical foundations of the discipline, emphasizing comparative and intersectional approaches to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States and across diasporic communities of historically marginalized groups. This introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Ethnic Studies examines the historical and contemporary experiences of diverse communities of color in the United States. Students will explore how race and ethnicity are social constructs that have shaped laws, institutions, and everyday life, with a focus on African American, Native American in the United States, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and Chicana/o/x/Latina/o/x communities. Major topics include the structures of racism, white supremacy, imperialism, and colonialism, and how these systems intersect with factors like class, gender, sexuality, immigration status, and ability. Emphasis is placed on the resistance and social justice movements led by communities of color – from historical struggles for civil rights and sovereignty to contemporary movements such as Black Lives Matter and Indigenous water protectors. By centering anti-racist, decolonial, and liberation frameworks, the course empowers students to critically analyze oppression and articulate strategies for building a more equitable and just society. 54.00 hours lecture. (Letter grade only)