Minor in Ethnic Studies

APU’s ethnic studies minor helps students understand and engage with the experiences of U.S. immigrant populations and communities of color.

18 units

The ethnic studies minor enhances students’ understanding of the experiences of U.S. immigrant populations and communities of color, along with their sensitivity to issues of race, ethnicity, and social class. The program also enables students to analyze contemporary social problems that affect these populations and evaluate public policy related to the areas of immigration, education, criminal justice, health care, and economic development. The primary curricular focus is on the experiences of Asian Americans, African Americans, Chicano/Latino, and Native American peoples within the United States. Because of the program’s interdisciplinary character, students learn to appreciate how scholars in different fields (e.g., history, art, literature, communication, anthropology, education, political science, psychology, and sociology) approach the study and expression of race and ethnicity.

Requirements

Core Course
ETHN 150Introduction to Ethnic Studies 13
Contemporary Experience Courses
Select three of the following:9
ETHN 355
The Asian American Experience 1
ETHN 356
The African American Experience 1
ETHN 357
The Chicano(a)/Latino(a) Experience 1
ETHN 358
Native American/Indigenous Experience 1
Elective Requirements
Select two of the following:6
Culture and the Arts
ART 403
Multicultural Art 2
COMM 495
Special Topics
ENGL 364
American Ethnic Literature 1
ENGL 489
Literary Topics
GLBL 201
Anthropology for Everyday Life 1
MUS 301
Music of Africa
MUS 302
Soul Music 1
Social Relationships/Public Policy
COMM 260
Intercultural Communication 1
EDLS 405
Diversity in the Classroom 1
GLBL 260
Intercultural Communication 1
HIST 346
History of American Immigration 1
PSYC 400
Multicultural Psychology 1
SOC 235
Race and Ethnicity 1
SOC 358
Human Diversity 1
SOC 359
Immigrant L.A.
SOC 464
Social Stratification
THEO 480
Theology from the Margins 1
Total Units18
1

Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Articulate an awareness of the historical experiences of U.S. ethnic groups and their contributions to the broader U.S. society.
    2.
  2. Differentiate terminology that specifically relates to respective U.S. ethnic groups.
    3.
  3. Critically engage the elements of American cultural identity formation including ethnic identity and issues of race.
    4.
  4. Discuss a broadened understanding of how Christian faith shapes respective U.S. ethnic experiences.

Faculty

Program Director

Nori Henk, PhD, Sociology

Affiliated Faculty

Patricia Brown, PhD, English

David Miyahara, PhD, Sociology

Kay Higuera Smith, PhD, Biblical and Religious Studies