Ethnic Studies (BA/BS)

Our department looks at the way that race is tied to many other issues, including gender, class, sexuality, migration, indigeneity, and colonialism. With our students, we investigate and critique examples of white supremacy, both historical and present. We focus not only on race in the United States, but also on migrations and diasporas (such as those that result from the slave trade, settler colonialism, and globalization).

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Understand the relationship of race and ethnicity to power and inequality, with special emphasis on intersections with class, gender, immigration, indigeneity and sexuality.
• Explain how white domination and a culture of white supremacy work historically and in the present to create legal, economic, social, and political hierarchies within and between racial and ethnic groups.
• Understand the racial formation of at least two groups within the U.S., including transnational connections when appropriate, from among the following: Native Americans, African American and other Black communities, Chicana/os and Latina/os, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.
• Analyze conflicts, tensions, and building of effective intra- and intergroup coalitions and alliances among racial groups.
• Analyze cultural production generated by and about communities of color, especially as they speak to relationships of power.
• Articulate clearly, coherently, and convincingly the major concepts and theories in ethnic studies through critical writing and oral communication.
• Engage in original research that culminates in a research paper that reflects and utilizes a comprehensive understanding of ethnic studies methodologies and theories, synthesizes and applies knowledge from earlier ethnic studies coursework, and attends to the details of evidence and argumentation in knowledge production.
• Understand the principles of community-oriented action and research.

Ethnic Studies Major Requirements

Majors must construct their programs in consultation with an ethnic studies advisor. At least 24 of the required upper-division credits must be taken in residence at the University of Oregon. Courses applied to the major must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of mid-C or better. Majors must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.00 in courses applied to the major. Students majoring in ethnic studies may apply credits in Research: [Topic] (ES 401) and Reading and Conference: [Topic] (ES 405) toward their degree only if completed with letter grades of mid-C or better. Practicum: [Topic] (ES 406) may be applied toward the major on a graded or pass/no pass basis.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies

Bachelor of Science in Ethnic Studies