Ethnic & Multi-Cultural Studies

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Department of Ethnic Studies
109 Morris Hall
507-389-2798

The Department of Ethnic Studies, an interdisciplinary program, is academically committed to promoting multicultural and ethnic knowledge, values, and skills both within and outside the United states and to preparing our students for effective functioning across the culturally diverse and global community. The Ethnic and Multi-Cultural Studies Program (EMCS) with an MS degree is offered to meet the diverse needs of students concerning scholarly academic work, practical application of knowledge and personal growth. Our EMCS graduate program will provide students with multi-ethnic and cross-cultural knowledge, values, and skills from American and global perspectives.

First, students will gain factual knowledge by taking courses focusing on different ethnic, racial, and cultural groups as well as discrimination, immigration, stereotypes, and other important issues. Second, they will learn how to understand and appreciate the different values and beliefs each cultural or ethnic group has. Third and most importantly, students in this program will be expected to gain the following skills - e.g., (a) research skills, writing skills, and/or computer/statistical analysis skills, (b) human resources management and leadership skills, (c) counseling skills, and (d) cultural competency skills or cross-cultural training, and diversity management skills. There is a strong emphasis on competency in applied skills because advocacy must have practical application as its foundation to be credible.

Admission requirements

1. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
3. At least 9 credits in ethnic and cross-cultural areas. This requirement may be waived if the applicant can show relevant work (related to other social sciences) or other experiences that provide the necessary background to pursue graduate work in EMCS;
4. Have knowledge of or skills in two languages (i.e., English plus preliminary level of another language - i.e., six credits of undergraduate language courses), but this may be subject to arrangement and discussion between the applicant and the Department); and
5. When students do not meet the normal admission requirements, they may be recommended for admission by the department subject to removal of deficiencies or other conditions.

Credits

Thesis Plan - 33 credits
Alternate Plan Paper - 34 credits

Required Core from the following (15 credits, 12 credits must be 600 level)

• ETHN 500 – Cultural Pluralism (3) or
  ETHN 510 Foundation of Oppression (3)
• ETHN 502 Ethnic Research Method/Skills (3) or
  ETHN 501 Applied Cultural Research (3) or
  ANTH 531 Applied Cultural Research (3)
• ETHN 603 Seminar in Ethnic/Cross-Cultural Studies (3) or
  ANTH 603 Seminar in Applied Anthropology (3)
• ETHN 650 Helping Across Culture (3)or
  CSP 648 Counseling in a Multicultural Society (3)
• ETHN 660 Cross-Cultural Training and Diversity Management (3)
• ETHN 695 Ethnic-Race Implications (3)
• ETHN 697 Internship (1-6)

Required supporting core (9 credits) - one course from each of three groups. Two courses must be on the 600 level*

Group 1. Choosing one of the following research courses

• ANTH 602 Seminar in Research Method (3)
• POL 600 Research Method (3)
• PSY 610 Research Design and Statistics (4) or
  GEOG 576 Spatial Statistics (3)*
• SOC 605 Seminar in Sociological Research (3)
• WOST 620 Feminist Research (3)

Group 2. Choosing one of the following HR management/leadership courses

• EDAD 644-03 Seminar on leadership studies (3) or
  EDAD 668 Human Resources Management (2) plus
  EDAD 669 Human Resources Topics (1)
• POL 662 Human Resources Management (3)
• PSY 563 Survey of Industrial/Organizational Psychology (4)*
• URSI 650 Urban Administration Services (3)

Group 3. Choosing one of the following counseling courses:

• CSP 665 – Counseling Theories (3) or
  CSP 571 – Interpersonal Helping Skills (3)* or
  CSP 618 – Introduction to Professional Community Counseling (3)
• REHB 640 – Theories in Rehabilitation (3) or
  REHB 651 – Rehabilitation Counseling Techniques (3)
• PSY 683 – Behavioral Assessment (4)

Required Electives (6-9 credits)

• ETHN 520 – African American Studies (3)
• ETHN 530 – American Indian Studies (3)
• ETHN 540 – Asian American Studies (3)
• ETHN 550 – Latino/Hispanic Studies (3)
• ETHN 560 – Urban Minority Problems (3)
• ETHN 570 – Women of Color (3)
• ETHN 580 – Social Justice in Ethnicities and Gender (3)
• ETHN 586 – Racial and Ethnic Politics (3)
• ETHN 590 – Racial/Ethnic Families in the U.S. (3)
• ETHN 595 – Selected Topics (3)
• ETHN 630 – Liberation Theory (3)
• ETHN 640 – Environmental Justice (3)
• ETHN 677 – Individual Studies (3)*

Required Written Comprehensive and Oral Exam plus thesis or APP

• ETHN 698 – Alternate Plan Paper (1-2)
• ETHN 699 – Thesis (3-6)

*At least 18 credits (or 6 courses) must be 600 level, excluding APP or thesis. Students are allowed to take only ONE 500 level as part of their supporting cores in Part II. If they take a 500 level (see*) in Part II as a supporting core in part II, students must take ETHN 677 - Individual Studies (see *) in their required electives in Part III.

Graduate Diversity Certificate: Training in Cultural Diversity

Required course (3)

• ETHN 650 – Helping Across Culture (3) (or CSP 648 Counseling in a Multicultural Society with dept. permission only)
• ETHN 660 – Cross-Cultural Training & Diversity Management (3)

If one of the above noted courses is selected as a required course, the other can be used as an elective in B below.

Ethnic Diversity Electives (9): Select any nine credits (3 courses) from the following:

• ETHN 500 – Cultural Pluralism (3) (or ETHN 510 – Foundations of Oppression)
• ETHN 502 – Ethnic Research Method/Skills (3) (or ETHN 501/ANTH 532 – Applied Cultural Research)
• ETHN 520 – African American Studies (3)
• ETHN 530 – American Indian Studies (3)
• ETHN 540 – Asian American Studies (3)
• ETHN 550 – Latino/Hispanic Studies (3)
• ETHN 560 – Urban Minorities Problems (3)
• ETHN 581 – U.S. Civil Rights since 1965 (3)
• ETHN 595 – Selected Topics (3) or ETHN 596 – (1-3) Workshop
• ETHN 603 – Seminar in Ethnic and Cross-Cultural Studies
• ETHN 630 – Liberation Theory (3)
• ETHN 640 – Environmental Justice (3)
• ETHN 695 – Ethnic-Race Implications (3)
• ETHN 696 – Individual Studies (3)

or a similar graduate course that is approved by the Department

Other diversity electives (6)

Two courses (or 6 credits) from the following (that must be in different categories)

1. Category of Gender and Sexuality
   • ETHN 570 Women of Color (3) or
   • ETHN 580 Social Justice in Ethnicities and Gender (3) or
   • WOST 555 Women, Sex, and Identity (3) or
   • WOST 600 Collective Action (3) or
   • WOST 640 Feminist theories (3) or
   • a graduate course related to Women's Issues but to be approved by the Department.
2. Category of Age and Gerontology
   

   GERO 580 Topics in Gerontology: Aging, diversity and elder services (3) or a graduate course related to Aging but to be approved by the Department.

3. Category of Disability
   

   REHB 619 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability or a graduate course related to disability but to be approved by the Department.

4. Category of Other Human Diversity
   

   A similar graduate course which must be related to other human diversity but to be approved by the Department. Diversity is an evolving concept that must change over time.

Course Descriptions

ETHN 500 (3) Cultural Pluralism

This course will examine issues confronted in a multicultural society. It will study ethnic/minority groups not usually included in mainstream society, including their uniqueness and harmonious co-existence with other ethnic groups.

(F, S)

ETHN 501 (3) Applied Cultural Research

This course introduces concepts and methods of applying socio-cultural understanding to contemporary problems to bring about the empowerment of affected people. Case/field studies and other research methods in social sciences will be used to illustrate the impact and problems of culture change with special attention to its affect on disadvantaged groups of people. Students will also design their own applied projects.

Prerequisite: ANTH 101, 103, or 230 or consent; ETHN 100, 101, or 150 or consent

ETHN 502 (3) Ethnic Research Methods/Skills

This course details with scientific methods and investigative skills in Ethnic Studies. From an interdisciplinary perspective, students are expected to learn how to do research on ethnic and cross-cultural issues (e.g., hypothesis, different methods, data collection/analysis, and report writing). Other professional skills/issues are also discussed.

ETHN 503 (3) Chicana Feminisms

This course examines the different forms of Chicana Feminisms produced by Chicana scholars and activists. It demonstrates how Chicana Feminisms challenge social inequalities, and focuses on the construction of Chicana identities regarding the intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality and culture.

ETHN 510 (3) Foundations of Oppression

Students will examine the forces which create and maintain prejudice, discrimination, and racism. Special attention will be given to the work of Paulo Freire.

(F) Prerequisite: ETHN 500 or consent

ETHN 520 (3) African American Studies

This course examines contemporary topics in the lives of African Americans. These topics include but are not limited to: slavery, Reconstruction, Post-Reconstruction, Separate-But-Equal, Desegregation, and Resegregation.

(S) Prerequisite: ETHN 500 or consent

ETHN 530 (3) American Indian Studies

This course will provide multiple perspectives about the issues facing American Indian peoples today. Topics to be considered are education, health care, gender, land rights, religious freedom, cultural identity, natural resource management, law enforcement, economic development, self-determination, and mass media images.

Prerequisite: ETHN 500 or consent

ETHN 540 (3) Asian American Studies

Examination of current issues affecting the status of Asian Americans. The focus of this course will vary to reflect students’ interests in the area of politics, education, economics, social and/or cultural dealing with Asian Americans.

Prerequisite: ETHN 500 or consent

ETHN 550 (3) Latino/Hispanic Studies

Thematic examination of major issues surrounding Latino/Hispanic communities in the United States. Emphasis will be on education, labor, politics, social welfare, and migration.

Prerequisite: ETHN 500 or consent

ETHN 560 (3) Urban Minority Problems

This course is concerned with racial/ethnic minorities who live in large urban (inner city) areas. It is especially concerned with the roles that culture and discrimination play in the shaping of America’s ghettos, barrios, reservations, and Chinatowns.

(S)

ETHN 570 (3) Women of Color

Examines the effects of sexism and racism on women of color and provides an understanding of the significant contributions they have made in their struggles against oppression.

(S)

ETHN 580 (3) Social Justice in Ethnicity and Gender

Survey of institutional sexism and racism including their impact on U.S. society. Special attention will be given to their interconnectedness.

(F)

ETHN 586 (3) Racial and Ethnic Politics

The course examines racial and ethnic minorities and the mutual influences between these groups and the structures, procedures, and issues of U.S. politics. Major topics include: public opinion on racial issues, the representation of minorities in elective and appointive offices, and the nature of value conflicts underlying contemporary racial issues, including affirmative action, immigration, welfare, language policies, and Native American tribal issues.

ETHN 590 (3) Racial/Ethnic Families in the U.S.

This course will examine different definitions of "family" through time in the U.S.. It will focus on changes in the African-, Native-, Hispanic/Latino-, and Asian-American families. It will also compare and contrast differences and similarities among ethnic minority families as well as between them and white ethnic families.

ETHN 595 (3) Selected Topics

Multiple perspectives on the selected topic(s) will be addressed. Student scholars may contribute to the selection and/or refinement of the topic(s).

Prerequisite: ETHN major

ETHN 596 (1-3) Workshop

ETHN 598 (1-6) College Teaching Internship

Students assist a faculty member in teaching an Ethnic Studies 100 or 101.

ETHN 603 (3) Seminar in Ethnic/Cross-Cultural Studies

This course focuses on ethnic/cross-cultural field development, professional ethics/values, skills comportment and practice, including such guidelines as preparations for resumes and curriculum vitaes, research proposals, formal (oral) presentation, grant proposals, thesis plans, articles and books.

ETHN 630 (3) Liberation Theory

This course examines the writings of various authors to gain a theoretical perspective of such issues as racism, sexism and oppression, and how these authors have formulated a plan for change in the U.S. and in the world.

ETHN 640 (3) Seminar on Environmental Justice

This examines the relevant issues surrounding environmental justice, with a particular emphasis on political ecology, resource colonialism, environmental racism, applied ethnic studies, and local environmental movements and minority advocacy and focuses on professional application and advocacy through practice.

ETHN 650 (3) Helping Across Cultures

Scholars preparing for and/or working in the helping professions or related careers will address the issues and experiences of culturally different persons. Special attention will be given to preparation for effective cross-cultural interactions.

(S) Prerequisite: ETHN 500 or consent

ETHN 660 (3) Cross-Cultural Training and Diversity Management

This course is designed for those students or professionals who prepare for and/or work in the diverse organizations/institutions, corporations, communities in and outside America. Theories, techniques and skills for cross-cultural training/consultation and diversity management are covered.

ETHN 677 (1-3) Individual Study

Specialized independent study and research.

(F,S) Prerequisite: one 500 level ETHN course

ETHN 695 (3) Ethnic-Race Implications

Graduate scholars will address the meaning and significance of US race and ethnicity within global perspectives. Special attention will be given to the writings of scholars of color.

(F) Prerequisite: ETHN 500 or consent

ETHN 697 (1-10) Internship

Supervised experience to which the theories and methodologies of ethnic studies can be applied. Opportunities may be on-campus and/or off-campus, including work in other countries.

(F,S) Prerequisite: Two 500/600 level ETHN courses

ETHN 698 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper

Concluding research project. May largely use secondary sources.

(F,S)

ETHN 699 (3-6) Thesis

Concluding research project. Requires toward original research.

(F,S)