About Us

What is Ethnic Studies?

Ethnic Studies is an academic area of study that examine difference-racial and ethnic difference as well as how race and ethnicity intersect with other social identity categories including ability, class, gender, sexual orientation, etc.-and power-as it manifests interpersonally, institutionally, and structurally-in the United States. As an interdisciplinary field Ethnic Studies spans the humanities and social sciences to critically examine various racial and ethnic histories, cultures, vernaculars, and epistemologies as sites of inquiry that include but are not limited to Black studies, Native American and Indigenous studies, Chicano/a studies, Latino/a studies, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies.  

Mission of Ethnic Studies 

The mission of the Ethnic Studies program is threefold. One, to help students understand the ethnic and racial history and culture of the United States. Two, take the information learned about the ethnic and racial history and culture of the United States to better understand others, themselves, and their place in the world. Three, apply the knowledge, competencies, and skills learned through Ethnic Studies to become active citizens in their respective communities.