Course Descriptions

Lower Division

ETHS 2000 Contemporary African American Studies (3 units)
A survey of the African American experience, a look at the distinctive African American culture and customs, and an analysis of the various problems of economic, religious, political, psychological, and educational adjustment. Particular emphasis will be placed on problems encountered in the ghetto and white resistance to change in the urban and suburban communities. Satisfies G.E. area D2. (Fall, Spring)

ETHS 2100 Contemporary Chicano Studies (3 units)
A survey of the Chicano experience, a look at the distinctive Chicano culture and customs, and an analysis of the various problems of economic, religious, political, psychological, and educational adjustment. Particular emphasis will be placed on problems encountered in the barrio, the farm labor situation, and the educational complications of bilingualism. Satisfies G.E. area D2. (Fall, Spring)

ETHS 2200 Contemporary Asian American Studies (3 units)
A survey of the Asian American cultures and customs, and an analysis of the various problems of economic, religious, political, psychological, and educational adjustment. Particular emphasis will be placed on inter-ethnic identity, identity crisis, and contacts among Asian Americans. Satisfies G.E. area D2.

ETHS 2950 Selected Topics in Ethnic Studies (1-5 units)
(Topics to be specified in Class Schedule) Development of a selected branch of ethnic studies. Topics vary each term, thus different topics may be taken for credit.

Upper Division

ETHS 3000 The Chicana/o Political Experience (3 units)
Explores the origins and development of Mexican American/Chicano/a communities in the United States. Offers an interdisciplinary examination of the major historical processes that have shaped their political experiences since 1850.

ETHS 3100 Asian American Images in the Arts and Media (3 units)
An examination of the positive and negative media images of Asian Americans through a critical study of historical documentaries, contemporary film, and literature.

ETHS 3110 Looking for America:
Chicano Images in Art and Film (3 units)
An examination of the positive and negative images of Chicano/Latinos through a critical study of documentaries, film, and current slides of art.

ETHS 3115 Celebrando Cultura:
Chicana/o Identity and Popular Culture (3 units)
Explores expressions of Chicana/o ideology, philosophy, and cultural production from the 1960s to the present. Authors include Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzalez, Luis Valdez, Rolando Hinojosa, Lorna Dee Cervantes, Sandra Cisneros, Ana Castillo, and others.

ETHS 3200 Gender Roles in the Chicano Community (3 units)
(Formerly Chicanas in Society and Culture) (Same as GEND 3200) This course on Las Chicanas is a interdisciplinary course that will investigate sociological situations and cultural contradictions of Chicanas. Issues of gender role expectations, tradition and change, and Chicana feminism will be studied. Chicana contributions to society will be examined.

ETHS 3250 African American Images in the Arts and Media (4 units)
Using films, still images and music, this course critically analyzes negative stereotypical media images of African Americans and the ways in which African Americans use the media to provoke social thought and change.

ETHS 3300 Hmong Cultural Experience in the United States (3 units)
Explores the many experiences of Hmong Americans. It covers Hmong social, cultural, and historical experience from the past to the present, and emphasizes reflection on the responses of the Hmong and their American born children to the pressures and demands of life in America.

ETHS 4000 The Mexican American Family (3 units)
(Same as GEND 4000) Basic sociological structure and functions of the family as a social institution. Application of role theory to the Chicano family as a unit of interacting personalities. Courtship, marriage, and child rearing practices, etc. The relationship of the Chicano family with other institutional factors of the society. Stress is placed on the changing sex roles for the Chicano family members. Corequisite: ETHS 4003. Prerequisite: ETHS 2100 or 4200. (Lecture, 2 hours; activity, 2 hours)

ETHS 4010 The African American Family (3 units)
(Same as GEND 4010) A social psychological approach to studying the African American family as a basic social unit. A variety of perspectives are used to describe and explain how family members function in terms of courtship, marriage, child rearing practices, etc. The family’s relationship with other institutions in the wider society also is considered.

ETHS 4020 The African American Woman: Soul Sister (4 units)
(Same as GEND 4020) A review of popular notions about the identity of the African American woman in the U.S. Stereotypes will be contrasted with examples of her position, role, and status in past and present society. Explanations or systematic accounts regarding the African American woman’s behavior will be offered from a social psychological perspective.

ETHS 4030 Asian American Families (3 units)
(Same as GEND 4030) An exploration of the rich diversity in Asian American families as they reflect the cultural histories and adaptations of East and Southeast Asian peoples in America. The nature of family organization, the socioeconomics of family resources, changing gender and status roles within the family, and the socialization process of family members into the ethnic and majority cultures will be examined. Prerequisite: ETHS 2200 or ETHS 4200.

ETHS 4040 Minority Family, Communities, and Schools (3 units)
Addresses the social, economic, cultural, and educational experiences of California’s ethnic and cultural minorities. Special emphasis is on the interconnected roles of the minority families, communities, and schools in the learning process. The course covers various perspectives needed today to prepare future teachers to teach and work with minority students and their families. Designed specifically for future teachers. (LIBS Integrative: Social Inquiry)

ETHS 4100 Chicanos in Education (3 units)
Investigation of the success and failure of Chicanos in Education. Attention will be focused on past issues of segregation and Americanization. The 21st century education system will be studied as to its purposes in the industrial and post-industrial eras.

ETHS 4110 Asian Americans in Education (3 units)
Explores the various perspectives of the Asian American experience in the American educational system. It addresses the “Model Minority” myth and reality, and the diverse needs of Asian American students. Special emphasis is on the recent arrivals: Southeast Asians in the Central Valley.

ETHS 4150 Gender and Ethnicity in Children’s Literature and Culture (3 units)
(Same as GEND 4150) Examination of the representations of gender and ethnicity in children’s literature and media attending to sociohistorical and racial/cultural representation, gender and sexuality, stereotyping, class status, assimilation/acculturation, multiculturalism, and diversity. Satisfies G.E. area F2 and G.

ETHS 4200 The Minority Experience (3 units)
A study of the history, culture, and current problems of racial and ethnic minorities with emphasis on cultural clashes, curriculum development, and the psychology of each major group, i.e., African American, Chicano, Asian American, and Native American. Satisfies G.E. areas F3 and G. (Fall, Spring)

ETHS 4250 California Ethnic Experience (3 units)
Course examines the experience of racial and ethnic minorities in California. Course will emphasize the major ethnic and racial groups residing in California and will address the shifting meanings of race and ethnicity over time. Discussion will include issues impacting ethnic groups, as well as ethnic contributions to the making of California. Course will help prospective teachers know the various perspectives needed to better prepare them to teach more effectively in today’s diverse classrooms and to work with today’s diverse parents. Designed specifically for future teachers. (LIBS Integrative: Social Inquiry)

ETHS 4350 Multiculturalism: From Bias to Reality (3 units)
(Same as GEND 4350) An examination of progressive change from the conventional majoritarian bias to self-awareness, self-identity, and self-esteem, i.e. the changing consciousness of systematically disadvantaged groups in the United States. Utilizing the theoretical framework of Anthony Wallace, the self-articulation of African Americans, Chicanos, Latin Americans, Asian Americans and women are reviewed. Integrating concepts are used to identify the operative dynamic of exclusion and to articulate an ideal of multiculturalism and diversity. Satisfies G.E. area G.

ETHS 4711 Latino Diaspora: History of U.S. Latinos (3 units)
Comparative History of U.S. Latino/Hispanic peoples including Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, Central Americans, South Americans, and Spaniards. Historical context, origins, development of Latin American national, cultural identities; regional characteristics; immigration; nativist responses; assimilation; cultural continuity, and change. Prerequisite: ETHS 2100 or consent of instructor.

ETHS 4910 Cooperative Education (2-4 units)
Provides an opportunity to acquire relevant, practical experience in supervised paid employment within the discipline. Students are placed in private or public sector positions under the supervision of the employer and departmental Co-op coordinator. Up to 3 units may be counted as elective units toward the minors available in Ethnic Studies. Prerequisites: Normally, ETHS 2000 or 2100, and completion of ETHS 4000, 4010, or 4020 will serve as the minimum requirements for enrollment in ETHS 4910.

ETHS 4940 Field Work in Ethnic Studies (3 units)
Student will intern, perform work, or volunteer in an arranged school, community organization, institution, agency setting, or other in an educational, research program and produce a 12- to 20-page directed research paper or project. Seeks to bridge the gap between the intellectual pursuit of knowledge and its practical application to multicultural relations. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

ETHS 4950 Selected Topics in Ethnic Studies (1-5 units)
(Topics to be specified in Class Schedule) Development of a selected branch of ethnic studies. Topics vary each term, thus different topics may be taken for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

ETHS 4960 Seminar in Ethnic Studies (3 units)
A synthesis of existing knowledge from ethnic studies material; relating pertinent background information to special independent projects. Prerequisites: Coursework in ethnic studies and consent of instructor.

ETHS 4980 Individual Study (1-4 units)
For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced or specialized study. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.