Ethnic Studies
College: College of Arts & Humanities
Career Possibilities:
Ethnic studies prepares students for an increasingly diverse 21st century. Ethnic studies alumni have continued onto graduate or law school for higher degrees, or found employment in education, social services, media, nonprofit, private and government organizations.
Program Overview
The Center for Ethnic Studies (CES) is an interdisciplinary program that places historically marginalized groups – Native American Indians, African Americans, Latinas/os and Asian Americans – at the center of academic inquiry. Ethnic studies courses critically examine race and ethnic inequality and power relations in the United States, including institutional racism and white privilege. The CES supports UW-Parkside initiatives relating to racial/ethnic diversity, the curriculum, campus climate, and retention of faculty, staff and students of color. The CES is responsible for reviewing course syllabi that fulfill the UW System’s diversity (DV) requirement, and providing support to faculty and staff in developing courses that are inclusive of multiple histories, experiences, and bodies of knowledge. Ethnic studies has relevance to all students seeking a deeper understanding of what it means to be a U.S. American in a complex, diverse society.
Courses in Ethnic Studies
ETHN 101 | Geography of American Ethnicity and Race | 3 cr
Examines American ethnic and racial patterns from a geographic perspective. Considers historical forces shaping the geographical patterns of race and ethnicity. Explores contemporary issues in ethnic and race relations, including immigration. Cross-listed with: GEOG 101.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
Meets: Social & Behavioral Science: GEOG, Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 120 | Astronomy of Native America | 3 cr
Examines the astronomical views of Native Americans and looks at how mythos, science and discrimination intersect. Evaluates current cultural conflicts between science and native groups. Draws additional examples of the cultural development of astronomy and science from the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Asia. Community-based learning designation. Cross-listed with: PHYS 120.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
Meets: Natural Science: PHYS, Ethnic Diversity, Community Based Learning
ETHN 201 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 cr
Examines key concepts and methodologies of U.S. ethnic studies with particular emphasis on four underrepresented groups: Native American Indians, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinas(os).
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing.
Offered: Fall.
Meets: Social & Behavioral Science: ETHN, Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 206 | Race and Ethnic Relations in the U.S. | 3 cr
Introduces the formation and dynamics of ethnic and race relations in the United States and their social consequences in terms of marginalizing people and the unfair distribution of their life chances. Cross-listed with: SOCA 206.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 208 | Multicultural Theatre in America | 3 cr
Examines African American, Asian American, Latino American, and Native American cultures utilizes dramatic texts, live performance events, and anthropological research as a means of exploring and understanding voices of diversity expressed on the American stage in the past 50 years. Field trips to theatrical productions required; additional fees required. Cross-listed with: THEA 208. Fulfills Ethnic Diversity Requirement. Field trips to theatrical productions required; additional fees required.
Prerequisites: ENGL 101.
Offered: Occasionally.
Meets: Humanities and the Arts: THEA, Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 290 | Special Topics in Ethnic Studies | 1-3 cr
Selected topics in ethnic studies will be examined.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Occasionally.
ETHN 302 | Race/Ethnicity: United States America 1890 to the Present | 3 cr
Examines the continuing evolution of the United States into "an American kaleidoscope" during the 20th century. Tests the various concepts and models of technocultural interaction against the complexity and diversity of historical development during a century of rapid, massive change. Fulfills Ethnic Diversity Requirement. Cross-listed with: HIST 302.
Prerequisites: Junior standing or consent of instructor.
Offered: Spring.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 315 | Diversity Law: Tribal Nations | 3 cr
Tribal relationship with the United States government, as nations within a nation. Tribal sovereignty, Marshall trilogy, removal, allotment, Reorganization Act, the Indian Civil Rights Act, termination, Public Law 280, religious freedom, and modern tribal governments. The tribal nations of Wisconsin are emphasized. Fulfills Ethnic Diversity Requirement. Cross-listed with: POLS 315.
Prerequisites: Ethnic Studies minor or POLS 100, POLS 216 recommended.
Offered: Occasionally.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 316 | Diversity Law: African Americans | 3 cr
Analyzes the relationship of African Americans to the United States Constitution, and includes such topics as slavery, the Fugitive Slave Acts, the Civil War Amendments, segregation, the civil rights movement, voting rights, affirmative action, and housing laws. Cross-listed with: POLS 316.
Prerequisites: Ethnic Studies minor or POLS 100, POLS 216 recommended.
Offered: Occasionally.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 320 | Privilege and Power | 3 cr
Examines oppressive social systems constituted by inequitable distributions of privilege and power. Focuses on the relationship between dominant groups and historically underrepresented groups in the U.S. Emphasis on issues of social justice and personal responsibility. Cross-listed with: COMM 320.
Prerequisites: Junior standing or consent.
Offered: Yearly.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 333 | Contemporary American Immigration | 3 cr
Examines the global economic, social, and political forces that have shaped immigration to the United States since the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and the ways in which immigration is changing the nation and the world. Includes models of assimilation, political participation, and psychological and cultural considerations.
Cross-listed with: HIST 333.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 336 | African-American Music | 3 cr
Survey and study of development and evolution of African American music 17th century to present with attention given to historical, sociological, political, and humanistic contexts. Cross-listed with: MUSI 336.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Summer.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 337 | African-American History | 3 cr
Examines the experiences of African Americans from colonial times to the present, emphasizing their evolution as an ethnic group and their struggle for equality. Cross-listed with: HIST 337.
Offered: Fall (odd years).
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 338 | Music of the Great Migration: 1900-1960 | 3 cr
Survey and study of African American music, from 1900-1960, related to the Great Migration and its next generation. Attention given to historical, sociological, political and humanistic contexts. Community-based learning designation. Cross-listed with: MUSI 338.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Occasionally.
Meets: Community Based Learning
ETHN 339 | Music of the Great Migration: 1960-1990 | 3 cr
Survey and study of African American music, from 1960-1990, related to the Great Migration and its next generation. Attention given to historical, sociological, political and humanistic contexts. Cross-listed with: MUSI 339.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Occasionally.
ETHN 343 | Latinas/os in U.S. | 3 cr
Focuses on the social, political, and cultural dynamics of the Latina/o experience in the U.S. including racial/ethnic identity, racism, economy, immigration, colonialism. Cross-listed with: SOCA 343.
Offered: Fall.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 360 | Critical Ethnic Studies | 3 cr
Examines social conditions under which ethnic groups are labeled as "races" in the United States and in selected other societies, focusing on perceptions of whiteness and hybridity and their social consequences. Cross-listed with: SOCA 360.
Offered: Occasionally.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 363 | Communication and Ethnicity | 3 cr
Examines communication practices that construct, maintain, transform, or threaten ethnic identity in a co-cultural context. May be repeated with different content. Emphasis rotates among African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino/as, and Native American Indians. Cross-listed with: COMM 363.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Winterim.
Meets: Ethnic Diversity
ETHN 365 | Intercultural Communication | 3 cr
Investigates the relationship between culture and human interaction, emphasizing ethical aspects of communication.
Cross-listed with: COMM 365.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
ETHN 390 | Special Topics in Ethnic Studies | 1-3 cr
Selected topics in ethnic studies will be examined.
Prerequisites: Junior standing, ETHN 201.
Offered: Occasionally.
ETHN 490 | Special Topics in Ethnic Studies | 1-3 cr
Selected topics in ethnic studies will be examined.
Prerequisites: Junior standing, ETHN 201.
Offered: Occasionally.
ETHN 494 | Internship | 1-3 cr
Supervised experience in planned projects that expose students to ethnic subcultures in the United States. Up to 3 credits can be applied to the minor.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, program director.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
ETHN 499 | Independent Study | 1-5 cr
Topics individually arranged. Descriptions for other minor courses are located in their respective departments.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, program director.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.