Ethnic Studies

Faculty & Committee Members

Dominick N. Quinney, Associate Professor, Ethnic Studies
B.S., Ph.D., Michigan State University. Appointed 2013

Lucia Soriano, Assistant Professor, Ethnic Studies and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
B.A. California Polytechnic University, M.A. Claremont Graduate University, Ph.D. Washington State University. Appointed 2021

Elizabeth Barrios, Associate Professor, Modern Languages & Cultures
B.A., Knox College; Ph.D., University of Michigan. Appointed 2016

Marcella D. Cervantes, Associate Professor, Biology
B.S., University of Houston; M.S., University of Oregon; Ph.D., University of Washington. Appointed 2017

Ari McCaskill, Executive Director, School for Public Purpose & Professional Advancement

Kalli Onai, Digital Badge Program Manager, School for Public Purpose & Professional Advancement

Eric Hill, Chair of Ethnic Studies, Associate Professor, Psychology
B.A., Oglethorpe University; Ph.D., Arizona State University. Appointed 2010

Introduction

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 and other countries. 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 also provides the means to identify the prejudices and assumptions that have shaped traditional scholarship in the academic disciplines and to correct these biases.

Career Opportunities

Knowledge of ethnic traditions and ethnic relations is sought after in many fields including but not limited to politics, social services, business, law, medicine and psychology-related careers. This demand recognizes both that America is an increasingly multicultural society and that business people and professionals need to know these multiple groups in order to serve them better.

Student Learning Outcomes for the Major

Structural Inequality: Students will be able to describe the ways in which institutions impact opportunities available to people in different racial and ethnic groups

Diversity: Students will be able to describe key aspects of the culture, history, contributions, and identities of several ethnic groups

Social Inequality: Students will be able to explain how race, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality are interconnected and constructed in ways that perpetuate inequality, discrimination, and stereotypes

Theory: Students will be able to apply Ethnic Studies theories to analyze social phenomena and institutions

Research Methods: Students will be able to design and carry out data collection, analysis, and presentation of findings focused on race, ethnicity, nationalism, migration, or transnationalism within a local and global perspective.

Student Learning Outcomes for the Minor

Structural Inequality: Students will be able to describe the ways in which institutions impact opportunities available to people in different racial and ethnic groups

Diversity: Students will be able to describe key aspects of the culture, history, contributions, and identities of several ethnic groups

Programs

Major

Ethnic Studies, B.A.

Minor

Ethnic Studies Minor