Ethnic Studies
Lynn H. Fujiwara, Department Head
541-346-0900
541-346-0904 fax
104 Alder Building
5268 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-5268
Ethnic studies examines the construction and context of ethnicity in the United States, highlighting the histories, experiences, and movements of people of color in the Americas. As an element of American identity that cuts across disciplinary categories, ethnicity requires a mode of study that draws on the humanities and the social sciences as well as interdisciplinary sources such as cultural studies.
Ethnic studies scholars investigate race and racism, historical and contemporary manifestations of white supremacy and domination, analyzing how such systems of domination have created, and continue to create, social injustice. While the social construction of race in the United States is at the center of traditional ethnic studies, it is impossible to discuss racial dynamics without also paying significant attention to issues of gender, class, and sexuality, in addition to studies of immigration, transnational migration, and the diasporic formations resulting from the slave trade, indentured labor, colonialism, postcolonialism, imperialism, and globalization.
Ethnic studies courses that satisfy university general-education requirements are listed under Group Requirements and Multicultural Requirement in the Bachelor's Degree Requirements section of this catalog.
Faculty
Charise L. Cheney, associate professor (African American popular and political cultures; Black nationalist ideologies and practices; gender and sexuality). BSJ, 1993, Northwestern; PhD, 1999, Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. (2009)
Lynn H. Fujiwara, associate professor (women of color; feminisms; labor, family, citizenship, immigration, and welfare). See Women’s and Gender Studies.
Michael Hames-García, professor (prison studies; Chicano, Latino, and African American literatures; race and sexuality). BA, 1993, Willamette; PhD, 1998, Cornell. On leave fall 2013. (2005)
Daniel HoSang, associate professor (racial politics, post-1865 U.S. history; California and the West). BA, 1993, Wesleyan; PhD, 2007, Southern California. On leave fall 2013–winter 2014. (2007).
Brian Klopotek, associate professor (federal recognition of Indian tribes, Native American education, environmentalism). BA, 1994, Yale; PhD, 2004, Minnesota, Twin Cities. (2003)
Ernesto J. Martínez, assistant professor (comparative ethnic literature, U.S. Latino literature, literary theory). See Women’s and Gender Studies.
Irmary Reyes-Santos, assistant professor (transnational Caribbean ethnic studies, cultural studies, globalization). BA, 2001, Puerto Rico, Mayaguez; PhD, 2007, California, San Diego. (2008)
The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.
Participating
Kirby Brown, English
La Donna Forsgren, theater arts
Loren Kajikawa, music
Joseph E. Lowndes, political science
Michael Malek Najjar, theater arts
Edward Olivos, education studies
Jeffrey Ostler, history
Priscilla P. Ovalle, English
Gerardo Sandoval, planning, public policy and management
Lynn Stephen, anthropology
Melissa N. Stuckey, history
Courtney Thorsson, English
Jessica M. Vasquez, sociology
David J. Vazquez, English
Undergraduate Studies
Students may earn a major or minor in ethnic studies. A secondary goal of the program is to encourage student awareness of the ethnic and culture-based dimensions and applications of other major fields. Students of literature, social sciences, education, urban planning, art history, humanities, and international studies—to name only a few—find that related ethnic studies courses can enrich their academic programs.
Courses applied to a major or minor in ethnic studies may not be used to satisfy major or minor requirements for other programs.
Upper-division courses with related subject matter offered in other departments may be included in an ethnic studies major or minor program by arrangement with a course’s instructor and the department head.
Specific details and course approvals must be obtained from the Department of Ethnic Studies.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Lower Division | ||
| ES 101 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to African American Studies | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| Introduction to Chicano and Latino Studies | ||
| Introduction to Native American Studies | ||
| Additional 100- or 200-level course | 4 | |
| Upper Division | ||
| Six 300- or 400-level courses | 24 | |
| ES 301 | Theoretical Perspectives in Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| ES 498 | Interdisciplinary Research Methods | 4 |
| ES 499 | Ethnic Studies Proseminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
Bachelor of Science in Ethnic Studies
| Lower Division | ||
| ES 101 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to African American Studies | ||
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | ||
| Introduction to Chicano and Latino Studies | ||
| Introduction to Native American Studies | ||
| Additional 100- or 200-level course | 4 | |
| Upper Division | ||
| Six 300- or 400-level courses | 24 | |
| ES 301 | Theoretical Perspectives in Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| ES 498 | Interdisciplinary Research Methods | 4 |
| ES 499 | Ethnic Studies Proseminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
Majors must construct their programs in consultation with an ethnic studies advisor. At least 24 of the required upper-division credits must be taken in residence at the University of Oregon. Courses applied to the major must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of mid-C or better. Majors must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.00 in courses applied to the major. Students majoring in ethnic studies may apply credits in Research: [Topic] (ES 401) and Reading and Conference: [Topic] (ES 405) toward their degree only if completed with letter grades of mid-C or better. Practicum: [Topic] (ES 409) may be applied toward the major on a graded or pass/no pass basis.
Minor in Ethnic Studies
| Lower Division | ||
| ES 101 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| Two 200-level courses with ES subject code | 8 | |
| Upper Division | ||
| Four approved courses, including two with ES subject code | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
Upper-division courses must be taken in residence at the University of Oregon. The minor program must be planned in consultation with an ethnic studies advisor at least two terms before graduation. Courses applied to the minor must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of mid-C or better. Students minoring in ethnic studies may apply credits in Research: [Topic] (ES 401) and Reading and Conference: [Topic] (ES 405) only if completed with letter grades of mid-C or better. Credits in Practicum: [Topic] (ES 409) may be applied toward the minor on a graded or pass/no pass basis.
Courses
ES 100. Temporary Group-Satisfying Course. 4 Credits.
ES 101. Introduction to Ethnic Studies. 4 Credits.
Multidisciplinary study focuses on Americans of African, Asian, Latino, and Native American descent. Topics include group identity, language in society and culture, forms of resistance, migration, and social oppression.
ES 196. Field Studies: [Topic]. 1-2 Credits.
Repeatable.
Prereq: approval of program administrators.
ES 198. Colloquium: [Topic]. 1-2 Credits.
Repeatable.
ES 199. Special Studies: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
ES 250. Introduction to African American Studies. 4 Credits.
Focuses on historical, cultural, and social issues in African America and surveys scholarship in African American studies.
ES 252. Introduction to Asian American Studies. 4 Credits.
Focuses on historical, cultural, and social issues in Asian America and surveys scholarship in Asian American studies.
ES 254. Introduction to Chicano and Latino Studies. 4 Credits.
Focuses on historical, social, and cultural issues in Chicano and Latino communities and surveys scholarship in Chicano and Latino studies. Offered fall term only.
ES 256. Introduction to Native American Studies. 4 Credits.
Focuses on historical, social, and cultural issues in Native America and surveys scholarship in Native American studies.
ES 301. Theoretical Perspectives in Ethnic Studies. 4 Credits.
Introduction to contemporary theoretical frameworks in the discipline of ethnic studies. Offered fall term only.
Prereq: ES 101; one from ES 250, 252, 254, or 256.
ES 310. Race and Popular Culture: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Examines the interface between race and popular culture, surveying the historical development, political significance, and social influence ofpopular culture in the United States. Repeatable four times for a maximum of 20 credits when topic changes. Offered alternate years.
Prereq: one from ES 101, 250, 252, 254, 256.
ES 330. Women of Color: Issues and Concerns. 4 Credits.
Contemporary social issues and feminism among women of color in the United States.
Prereq: ES 101 or 102 recommended.
ES 350. Native Americans and the Environment. 4 Credits.
Critical issues in Native American environmentalism.
Prereq: ES 101 or 256 recommended.
ES 352. Social Equity and Criminal Justice. 4 Credits.
Critical issues related to police, prisons, criminal justice, and racial and gender inequalities.
ES 370. Race, Ethnicity, and Cinema: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Examines the history and politics of race, ethnicity, and indigenousness in relation to film, including questions of production, distribution, and reception in the United States. Repeatable four times for a maximum of 20 credits when topic changes. Offered alternate years.
Prereq: one from ES 101, 250, 252, 254, 256.
ES 399. Special Studies: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Recent topics include Caribbean Migrations; Asian American Women; Critical Whiteness Studies; Native Americans and Film; Asian Diasporas; Race and Resistance in United States History.
ES 401. Research: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.
Repeatable.
Prereq: majors or minors only.
ES 404. Internship: [Topic]. 1-12 Credits.
Repeatable.
ES 405. Reading and Conference: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.
Repeatable.
Prereq: majors or minors only.
ES 407. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
Prereq: ES 101 or 102.
ES 409. Practicum: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.
Repeatable.
Prereq: majors or minors only.
ES 410. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
Prereq: ES 101 or 102.
ES 440. Race, Literature, and Culture: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Examines race, literature, and culture from an interdisciplinary perspective. Repeatable four times for a maximum of 20 credits when topic changes. Offered alternate years.
Prereq: ES 101, 250, 252, 254, or 256 recommended.
ES 442. Caribbean Literature and Politics. 4 Credits.
Discusses how Caribbean diaspora literature employs themes of colonialism, sexuality, racism, migration, state violence, nationalism, and identity.
Prereq: ES 101.
ES 450. Race and Incarceration. 4 Credits.
Introduces several key questions necessary for understanding the crisis of prisons and incarceration in the United States, with an emphasis on race, gender, and class.
Prereq: ES 101.
ES 452. Race and Ethnicity and the Law: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Addresses issues of social justice and the participation of Asian Americans, African Americans, Chicanos and Latinos, and Native Americans in the legal system. Repeatable when topic changes.
Prereq: ES 101 or 102.
ES 456. History of Native American Education. 4 Credits.
Examines the historical conflict between traditional culture and knowledge transmission among Native Americans and the assimilationist educational system and practices of Euro-American culture. Offered alternative years.
Prereq: ES 101 or 102.
ES 460. Race, Culture, Empire: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Examines how racial discourses have informed United States domestic and foreign policy, with special attention on cultural representations of U.S. colonialism and imperialism. Repeatable four times for a maximum of 20 credits when topic changes. Offered alternate years.
Prereq: one from ES 101, 250, 252, 254, 256.
ES 498. Interdisciplinary Research Methods. 4 Credits.
Prepares majors for independent research in ethnic studies. Examines interdisciplinary methods for research on race and ethnicity. Offered winter term only.
Prereq: completion of required courses for ethnic studies major, except ES 499; majors or minors only.
ES 499. Ethnic Studies Proseminar. 4 Credits.
Capstone seminar. Focuses on concluding work and experience in ethnic studies through independent research, preparation and presentation of research paper. Offered spring term only.
Prereq: ES 498; majors only.
ES 507. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
ES 510. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
ES 540. Race, Literature, and Culture: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Examines race, literature, and culture from an interdisciplinary perspective. Repeatable four times for a maximum of 20 credtis when topic changes. Offered alternate years.
ES 542. Caribbean Literature and Politics. 4 Credits.
Discusses how Caribbean diaspora literature employs themes of colonialism, sexuality, racism, migration, state violence, nationalism, and identity.
ES 550. Race and Incarceration. 4 Credits.
Introduces several key questions necessary for understanding the crisis of prisons and incarceration in the United States, with an emphasis on race, gender, and class.
ES 552. Race and Ethnicity and the Law: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Addresses issues of social justice and the participation of Asian Americans, African Americans, Chicanos and Latinos, and Native Americans in the legal system. Repeatable when topic changes.
ES 556. History of Native American Education. 4 Credits.
Examines the historical conflict between traditional culture and knowledge transmission among Native Americans and the assimilationist educational system and practices of Euro-American culture. Offered alternative years.
ES 560. Race, Culture, Empire: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Examines how racial discourses have informed United States domestic and foreign policy, with special attention on cultural representations of U.S. colonialism and imperialism. Repeatable four times for a maximum of 20 credits when topic changes. Offered alternate years.
ES 605. Reading and Conference: [Topic]. 1-9 Credits.
Repeatable.
ES 607. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
ES 610. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.