Ethnic Studies Courses (ETHN)

100 Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3)

An interdisciplinary course that uses a comparative and historical perspective to examine the languages, family structures, spiritual traditions, economic and social issues, political aspirations, and values of diverse groups within the United States. Emphasis will be on African Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Chicanos/Latinos, and Native Americans, but other groups are also discussed.

110 Ethnic Identity in the United States (3)

This course focuses on the development, transformation, and maintenance of ethnic/racial identity. Students will learn a variety of methodologies in order to understand the social construction of identity as it is created, contested, and altered by historical and economic processes.

120 Introduction to African American Studies (3)

A survey course on the interdisciplinary field of African American Studies. Students will learn basics of African American history and culture in order to understand contemporary problems and conditions facing African Americans

130 Introduction to American Indian Studies (3)

This course introduces students to the field of American Indian Studies. Students engage scholarly work, film, popular press texts, and attend community events to learn about American Indian people and the current and historical forces that shape modern-day realities for American Indians.

140 Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies (3)

This course is an introductory survey of the field of Chicano/Latino Studies. Emphasis is placed on the historical development of the Chicano/Latino people including their Mesoamerican roots, cultural identification, political activities, and their contemporary roles and influence in United States culture, society and economy

294 Special Topics in Ethnic Studies (3)

An in-depth analysis of selected contemporary and special topics in ethnic studies at the lower division with specific course content to be determined by particular interest and expertise of instructor and students. May be repeated for credit with different course content.  (Offered on demand)

300 Research and Critical Perspectives in Ethnic Studies (3)

A research course that covers both theoretical and methodological perspectives in Ethnic Studies. The course will focus on the application of theory to research design with an emphasis on the construction of a research proposal, how to structure a research argument, and data analysis.

321C African American Panethnicity (3)

Panethnicity in the United States is the process in which people from varying cultural backgrounds and diverse ethnicities come to occupy larger-scale group identities based on racial classification. African American communities and identities have historically been panethnic, comprised of individuals from various ethnic groups and migration histories complete with different languages, traditions, religions, and cultures. This course examines the intra-racial dynamics of African American panethnic communities and identities in theoretical, historical, and community-based terms. Special emphasis will be given to engagement with community members around USD through guest speakers and involvement in community events.

322 African American Civil Rights (3)

This course examines African American perspectives on civil rights in the United States foregrounding local, national, and international American cultural politics, race dynamics, and power. Utilizing interdisciplinary approaches of literature, political science, sociology, and history, we will survey the twentieth century Golden Age of civil rights and examine the state of African American social justice activism today.

323 African American Music and Culture (3)

This course provides a historically grounded investigation of African American music and culture with specific emphasis on the United States and African Diaspora in the Americas. Topics of study may include an overview of the study of African American music; problems in defining, theorizing, and talking about black music; black music and the cultural politics of race, class, and gender; and exploration of the various musical genres and styles (i.e. spirituals, gospel, blues, “art” music, jazz, and hip hop) that impact other aspects of African American expressive culture—art, religion/spirituality, aesthetics, and worldview.

331 Gender in Native America

This course examines gender as a social institution and its implications at both the micro (personal) and macro (societal) levels.  Social, political, and historical implications for the intersections of racialized, classed, and gendered identities will be critiqued.  Special attention will be paid to gender and traditional indigenous cultures and how gender relations and formations change within a colonial (historic and contemporary) U.S. context.

343 Chicano/Latino Studies (3)

This is a survey course of the Chicano/Latino experience(s) in the United States. It examines how racial and ethnic identity is shaped by historical, political, economic, cultural, sacred, and linguistic dimensions that inform cultures and communities.

360 Race, Religion and Social Justice (3)

This course examines the relationship between issues of social justice, race, and the role of religion (the sacred) in guiding us toward a more just and humane society.

361 Immigration at the U.S.-Mexico Border: Ethnicity, Race and Gender

In this course we will look at the United States-Mexico border as a scenario for emerging and contested ethnic, racial and gender identities.  Drawing on the experiences of the distinct ethnic and racial groups that came to inhabit the area -- namely Native Americans, Spaniards, Mexicans, Anglo Americans, African Americans and Asians.

362 Ethnicity and Cinema (3)

This course uses a comparative, analytical, and critical approach to the study of ethnicity and to the relationship between cinematic representations and the experiences of racialized communities. The course includes examination of multiple dimensions of media stereotypes, film history and theory, and the ways filmmakers of various ethnic and national backgrounds respond to and through mainstream cinemas. Students to engage in film analysis that is informed by an understanding of the politics of representation and the historically situated conditions of cinematic production.

494 Special Topics in Ethnic Studies (3)

An in-depth analysis of selected contemporary and special topics in ethnic studies, with specific course content to be determined by particular interest and expertise of instructor and students. May be repeated for credit with different course content. (Offered on demand)

497 Advanced Ethnic Studies (3)

A seminar devoted to advanced study in the field. Students will conduct community-based research, applying theoretical perspectives to experiences with various local groups, organizations, collectives, or neighborhoods. The course is equivalent to a Senior Thesis Project.

499 Independent Study (1-3)

Individual study and written research. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and program director.