Ethnic Studies | Academic Catalog

Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary exploration of race and ethnicity, focusing on the studies of African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Chicanx and Latinx, and Indigenous and Native American communities. Rooted in civil rights movements, it examines how race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and ability shape systemic inequities and social movements. Through theory and historical analysis, students cultivate critical perspectives to envision and strive for justice. Graduates serve communities through education, advocacy, law, policy, and more, fostering meaningful personal and collective transformation.

The approved Ethnic Studies courses that meet the General Education requirement for the SBVC Associate Degree (Category VI), CSU GE-Breadth (Area F) and IGETC (Area 7) include the following:

Course List
Code	Title	Units
ETHS 100	Introduction to Ethnic Studies	3
ETHS 103	Ethnicity and Identity in Media	3
or FTVM 103	Ethnicity and Identity in Media
ETHS 107	Native American Experiences in U.S. History	3
or HIST 107	Native American Experiences in U.S. History
ETHS 107H	Native American Experiences in U.S. History - Honors	3
or HIST 107H	Native American Experiences in U.S. History - Honors
ETHS 108	Introduction to Native American Studies	3
or ANTHRO 108	Introduction to Native American Studies
ETHS 141	Race and Ethnic Relations	3
or SOC 141H	Race and Ethnic Relations - Honors
ETHS 141H	Race and Ethnic Relations - Honors	3
or SOC 141H	Race and Ethnic Relations - Honors
ETHS 163	Chicana/o Literature	3
or ENGL 163	Chicana/o Literature
ETHS 165	African-American Literature	3
or ETHS 165	African-American Literature

ETHS 100 3 Units

Introduction to Ethnic Studies

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H

This inter-disciplinary course explores the ways that ethnicity, race, and racism shape the experiences of people of color in the United States. Introduces students to both historical and current inequalities founded upon the social construction of race, class, and gender. Addresses how different means of resistance and social movements by various groups worked in the hopes of achieving social justice.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ETHS 103 3 Units

Ethnicity and Identity in Media

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H

This course explores the impact of identity on film as an art form and cultural artifact by confronting ideologies of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation as they are reflected in cinematic representation. American film is used as the primary lens through which to view how social, political, and cultural values have been formulated over the last century. Students analyze major films, figures, character types, and narrative strategies to evaluate the relationship between film and identity. (This course is also offered as FTVM 103)

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ETHS 104 3 Units

Latina/o/x Studies

Lecture: 54 contact hours

This course offers an overview of the experiences and contributions of Latina/o/x communities in the United States. Students will examine the impact of colonization, immigration, and forced displacement on these communities, as well as the formation of cultural identity and resistance movements. Throughout the course, students will analyze the intersections of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and other forms of oppression that shape the experiences of Latino/a and Chicano/a communities. They will critically examine issues such as education, labor, health, immigration, and representation in media and politics.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ETHS 105 3 Units

Introduction to Asian American Studies

Lecture: 54 contact hours

The course will cover the diverse histories and experiences of Asian Americans, including their migration patterns, experiences of discrimination, and contributions to American society. Students will learn about the social, political, and economic contexts that have shaped the experiences of Asian Americans in the United States, including colonialism, immigration policy, and racial and ethnic hierarchies. The course will also examine the intersections of race, gender, class, and sexuality in shaping the experiences of Asian Americans, as well as the cultural expressions of Asian American communities, including literature, film, music, and art. Throughout the course, students will engage in critical thinking and analysis of issues such as identity formation, community building, activism, and social justice.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ETHS 106 3 Units

Introduction to Black Studies

Lecture: 54 contact hours

This course provides an overview of the interdisciplinary field of Black Studies, examining the experiences, cultures, histories, and contributions of people of African descent in the United States and worldwide. The course will explore key concepts, themes, and debates in Black Studies, including race, racism, colonialism, diaspora, identity, power, resistance, and social justice. Topics covered include the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism and decolonization, Pan-Africanism, Black Nationalism, Civil Rights and Black Power movements, African American literature and art, Hip Hop culture, and contemporary issues affecting people of African descent. Throughout the course, students will engage in critical thinking and analysis of issues such as identity formation, community building, activism, and social justice.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ETHS 107 3 Units

Native American Experiences in U.S. History

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H

This course is a history of Native Americans in the region of the current day United States from the time preceding European colonialism to the present. The course content will be presented from a Native American perspective, emphasizing colonialism, removal, assimilation, termination, and self determination. (This course is also offered as HIST 107)

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ETHS 107H 3 Units

Native American Experiences in U.S. History - Honors

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Prerequisite: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ETHS 108 3 Units

Introduction to Native American Studies

Lecture: 54 contact hours

This course provides an introduction to the field of Native American Studies. It emphasizes the agency, struggles, and social justice efforts of Native Americans in the United States. Topics covered include Native cultural and intellectual traditions; racialization and intersectionality; antiracism and decolonization; and the relationship between Western scientific practices and Native American experiences. (This course is also offered as ANTHRO 108)

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ETHS 141 3 Units

Race and Ethnic Relations

Lecture: 54 contact hours

This course is a sociological and interdisciplinary examination of racial and ethnic groups in American society. Topics include historical and contemporary events and practices that have institutionalized racism including the social struggles of the four racialized core groups, with a focus on introductory concepts of ethnic studies, intersectionality, and anti-racist approaches toward social justice and equity. (This course is also offered as SOC 141)

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SOCI 150

ETHS 141H 3 Units

Race and Ethnic Relations - Honors

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Prerequisite: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SOCI 150

ETHS 163 3 Units

Chicana/o Literature

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Prerequisite: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H

This course is a survey of Chicana/o literature, including novels, drama, poetry, and essays. The course explores concepts of Chicana/o identity, race and racism, and how these themes characterize Chicana/o culture and literary expression. It also examines important social, cultural, and political movements that have influenced and continue to shape the Chicana/o community. (This course is also offered as ENGL 163)

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ETHS 165 3 Units

African-American Literature

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Prerequisite: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H

This course is a comprehensive examination of African American literature, including prose, poetry, and fiction, from the early oral tradition to present. The course also explores concepts of race, racism, and ethnicity that are manifest in African American literature, and will examine identity as it relates to finding national identity, losing a given, forced identity and acceptance of identity that is foreign to personal history. (This course is also offered as ENGL 165)

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU