The Department of Ethnic Studies offers an interdisciplinary major, providing a comparative approach to studying people of color in the United States. Our ethnic studies curriculum has a strong social justice focus. Through a systematic study of the cultures, histories, and social realities of communities of color in the US, our students finish our program prepared to work effectively in multiracial, multiethnic, and multi-gender communities.
The major provides considerable flexibility, allowing them to specialize in one group while also gaining in-depth knowledge and expertise invariousf histories, cultures, and social realities of communities of color.
Online programs are for anyone who has already completed their lower-division general education breadth requirements. Only upper-division, major requirements will be taken completely online.
College Faculty, Staff, or Administrator • Community Liaison or Organizer • Diversity Specialist • Government Service • Immigration Policy Advocate • Non-Profit Management • Prison Abolitionist • Public Relations • Social Work/Therapist • Teacher/Counselor • Tribal Government • Union Organizer • Urban Planning and Affordable Housing • Youth Advocate
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An overview of the history of people of color through activism and resistance in art, politics, and music. Emphasizes major artists, organizations, movements, and events that sought social change from the 20th century to the present.
Explore the theory and practice of persuasive writing with a focus on producing prose that advances a social justice mission.
An examination of key issues, assumptions, and debates in contemporary, post civil rights Black feminist thought. The course highlights pioneering contributions to anti-racist and feminist thought.
A survey of traditional small-scale agro-ecological systems of North American indigenous farmers. Explores these dedicated stewards of foods who continue to enhance the sustainability, diversity, and beauty of the places that they live in.
Ethnoecology and the study of interrelationships between local ecosystems and people. Students gain ethnoecological knowledge about local communities of color and their role in culturally sustainable adaptations to the Bay Area.
Supervised internships where students apply analytical perspectives that center on race, class, gender and sexual identities. They are directed toward organizations reflecting their personal interests (e.g. social justice, health, art, youth, etc).