Ethnic Studies Minor

Program of Study

The Minor in Ethnic Studies at California State University San Marcos offers students majoring in another discipline the opportunity to study critically and systematically the experiences of racial/ethnic groups that have been economically, educationally, politically, legally, and/or socially disadvantaged. It analyzes how these groups have been integrated or not into society(ies) and how race/ethnicity has shaped identity. Offering global and U.S. perspectives, the minor supports the founding Mission Statement of the University by helping to prepare students “to live cooperatively and competitively in a world of cultural and ethnic diversity.” Since the minor helps students better understand the multi-ethnic cultures which comprise many modern nations, it enhances courses of study leading to career fields in both public and private sectors, such as business, education, law, medicine, public health, corrections, social work, journalism, public relations, politics, psychology, international relations, and creative writing. It also helps to prepare students for graduate study in related fields.

Recommended Course of Study

In the minor, coursework is arranged in four (4) areas: Introduction to Ethnic Studies; Colonialism, Migration, and Diasporas; Identities and Representations; and The State, Inequality, and Resistance. The first area introduces students to Ethnic Studies and this course should be taken first. The next three areas are explorations, and these courses may be taken in any order.

Advising

Information and advising will be provided by the Program Director of Ethnic Studies. Interested students should meet with the Program Director as soon as possible to declare the minor and to develop an appropriate, personalized theme of study that complements a student’s interests and career goals (e.g., African-American, Borderlands, Comparative Multicultural Studies). Petitions for lower-division course credit, and petitions to apply to the minor courses not listed, must be submitted to the Program Director.

Special Conditions for a Minor in Ethnic Studies

Each course counted toward the minor must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher. At least nine (9) units of study must be unique to the minor (i.e. may not be counted toward other major, minor, or general education requirements).

Requirements for a Minor in Ethnic Studies

Completion of eighteen (18) units of credit, fifteen (15) of which must be at the upper-division level. Students must take at least three (3) units in each of the four areas indicated below.

Some courses may support one or more themes. Those courses are identified by two asterisks (**). In such cases, the course may fulfill only one theme.

Total (18 Units)