Ethnic Studies Program
Phone: (209) 946-2245; (209) 946-2611
Location: WPC 212 Social Science Hub; WPC 127
Zhou Xiaojing, Director
MINORS OFFERED
Ethnic Studies
Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary minor, incorporating courses offered in various
schools and departments. It provides students with multiple models of critical theories
and methodologies for examining the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, culture, and
class in the historical formations of the United States, with an emphasis on the
experiences and perspectives of historically disenfranchised populations such as African
Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans.
Ethnic Studies broadens students’ major fields of study, prepares students for
interdisciplinary inquiries at the graduate level, and enhances students’ employment
opportunities in law, education, business, medicine, government, communication, and
social services, among other professions.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Ethnic Studies Program at the University of the Pacific is dedicated to
interdisciplinary learning which equips students with the conceptual and practical skills
necessary for participating competently and responsibly in all aspects of civic life that
contribute to advancing social equity, inclusive democracy, and global citizenship.
OBJECTIVES
The Ethnic Studies Program’s Goals and Objectives consist of the following: 1) to
provide an opportunity for all students to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship
between social structure and the experience of racial and ethnic difference; 2) to examine
the problems of racial and ethnic inequality as a means of promoting the pursuit of social
justice and equity 3) to investigate the intricate relationships among race, class, gender,
and culture historically, and in contemporary society; 4) to facilitate the incorporation of
scholarship on underrepresented racial and ethnic groups into the university curricula; 5)
to equip students with historical frameworks and theoretical tools that will enable them to
engage more productively in their respective areas of study, and to better prepare them
for their leadership roles in a democratic society; and 6) to foster ties among all students
of various racial and ethnic backgrounds, and between students and local communities in
the larger communities.
MINOR IN ETHNIC STUDIES
In order to earn the minor in ethnic studies, students must complete a minimum of 20
units and 6 courses with a Pacific minor grade point average of 2.0.
Minor Requirements:
ETHN 011
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
4
Electives
5 additional courses from Ethnic Studies 16-20
course offerings
Note: 1) See the list at the end of ETHN course offerings. 2) At least two of these courses
must be 100 or above. 3) These 5 courses have to be taken in more than one discipline.
Students are not required to take a capstone course to complete the minor.
Optional:
4
ETHN 189
Experiential Learning Practicum
ETHN 197
Undergraduate Research
Note: 1) Student must have a 2.5 GPA in order to take ETHN 197. 2) ETHN 011 is a
prerequisite for the above capstone courses
COURSE OFFERINGS:
ETHN 011.
Introduction to Ethnic Studies (4)
This course introduces students to the theories and practices of Ethnic Studies, with a
focus on the racial formation in the United States, and its impact on the experiences and
social statuses of racialized groups, including, but not limited to, Blacks, Latinos, Native
Americans, Asians, /Pacific Islanders, and Whites. Our primary course contents include
histories, critical race theories, media representations and critical studies. While
California serves as the major geographical location of racial formation in our study, the
issues we explore are situated in national and global contexts. Through a critical
examination of histories and contemporary issues regarding the social positions of
racialized groups in the U.S., we seek to understand “the irreducibility of race in U.S.
political and cultural life” (Winant 33). (At the same time, we will examine the forces
and conditions for social change and cultural transformation. The contributions of
historically marginalized “minority” Americans to the development of American
democracy will be a major discussion and research topic.
ETHN 189.
Service Learning Practicum (4)
As one of the capstone courses, the Service Learning Practicum offers students an
opportunity to integrate and apply the skills, knowledge, and theories they have learned
to community-based service learning projects related to their academic interests. Each
student will work with a faculty supervisor, who will provide guidance for the student’s
experiential learning. While a capstone course is strongly recommended, it is optional.
Students can take an alternative course for completing a minor in Ethnic Studies.
Prerequisite: Completion of ETHN 011 and another course in Ethnic Studies.
ETHN 191.
Independent Study (2-4)
Undergraduate independent study. A student taking this course will be working with a
faculty member approved by the Director of Ethnic Studies.
ETHN 193.
Special Topics (1-4)
ETHN 197.
Undergraduate Research (4)
This is one of the two capstone courses. It offers students an opportunity to integrate and
apply the skills, knowledge, and theories they have learned to a particular research
project in a field of their academic interest. Each student will work with a faculty
supervisor who has expertise in the student’s research topic. While this course is strongly
recommended, it is optional. Students do not need to take this course for completing a
minor in Ethnic Studies. Prerequisites: Overall GPA 2.5 or above, completion of ETHN
011 and another course in Ethnic Studies.
ADDITIONAL ETHNIC STUDIES COURSES:
Anthropology (SIS)
ANTH 053.
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 054.
Antropologia cultural (ANTH 053 in Spanish)
ANTH 112.
Physical Anthropology
Communication
COMM 133.
COMM 143.
Documentary Film as Persuasive Communication
Intercultural Communication
Economics
ECON 180.
Labor Economics
Education
EADM 204
Pluralism in American Education
EDUC 163.
Teaching English Learners
EADM 130/230.
Seminar: Cultural Basis of Conflict in Education
English
ENGL 025.
American Dream: Class and Desire in Film and Literature
ENGL 025.
American Families
ENGL 025.
Between Two Worlds: Exile in Contemporary Lit. & Film
ENGL 025.
Black Women Writers
ENGL 025.
Gender, Race, and Representation in Film and Fiction
ENGL 025.
Multi-Ethnic American Literature: Space, Body, and Identity
ENGL 025.
Sports and Scandal
ENGL 126.
Environment and Literature
ENGL 161.
Topics in American Ethnic Literature
Ethnic Studies
ETHN 011.
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHN 189.
Service Learning Practicum
ETHN 191.
Independent Study
ETHN 193.
Special Topic
ETHN 193.
Special Topics on Issues of Race and Ethnicity
ETHN 197.
Undergraduate Research
History
HIST 120.
Native American History
HIST 121.
Colonial America
HIST 124.
History of the American West
HIST 130.
History of California
HIST 132.
American Immigration
HIST 134.
African American History
HIST 137.
“His-panic” USA (approval in process)
HIST 139.
Borderlands: Life on the US-Mexico Border
HIST167.
Gender in the History of Science/Medicine/Technology
Modern Languages and Literature
SPAN 124.
Escritores hispanos en los Estados Unidos
Music
MHIS 008.
History of Jazz
Political Science
POLS 104.
Urban Government
POLS 134.
American Political Thought
Psychology
PSYC 129.
Developmental Psychology
Sociology
SOCI 061.
Urban Society
SOCI 093A
Environment and Society
SOCI 093B.
Social Problems
SOCI 104.
Sociology of Sport
SOCI 108.
Food, Culture, and Society
SOCI 123.
Sex and Gender
SOCI 133.
Criminology
SOCI 141.
Prejudice and Racism
SOCI 172.
Social Inequality
Speech-Language Pathology, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
SLPA 143.
Multicultural Populations
Sport Sciences
SPTS 141.
Sport in America