Ethnic Studies Major Proposal

November 2015

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The need for an Ethnic Studies Major Program at Saint Mary’s College of California

Presently, the increased racial diversity in the United States is reflected in the landscape of this country’s colleges and universities. For example, according to the Office of Vice Provost for Enrollment and Communication, 52% of the 2015 freshman class at Saint Mary’s College identifies as students of color. The change in student demographics on college and university campuses has led to a change in curriculum as well. For over thirty years, institutions of higher learning have transformed their curriculum to represent the contributions of a pluralistic society.

At the forefront of the curriculum transformation are Ethnic Studies programs.

Therefore, since a significant percentage of all K-12 public school students in the state of California are African American, Latino, Native American, or Asian Pacific Islander (and SMC accepting ever increasing amounts of undergraduate students from these ethnic groups) it is necessary to provide a component of the undergraduate curriculum that actively engages the experiences of these populations, not only for the students who are members of these groups, but for all students who are part of the SMC community. This is particularly important, given the “regionality” of our student population and the need for students to understand and develop cultural competency, both while at SMC and beyond. Additionally, these programs have long-term benefits on the students who take their classes: for example, these students are more likely to be motivated, to engage intellectually, and participate meaningfully in society.

Our desire to create an Ethnic Studies Major Program stems from multiple factors:

• Since 2009 we have offered an ES Minor Program and increased our numbers steadily, we have averaged between 15-20 minors and currently we have 15. Over the years several students have shown high interest in creating individualized majors in ES. Since the appointment of a full-time faculty member, the possibility of creating this type of major in ES has been more feasible. At the present time we have two students who have proposed individualized programs (Brenda Martinez, class of 2014 and Zoe Loos, class of 2017) and we foresee others coming forward in the near future. Noteworthy is the popularity of ES 01: Introduction of Ethnic Studies. Over the years we have averaged 25 students enrolled in this course. To keep up with student demand for ES 01 we now offer three sections (originally only 2 sections were offered) and during the 2015-16 academic year we will offer 4 sections.

• he major program would support the strategic plan by building infrastructure to support the college’s Hispanic Service Institution status (course contents, events, interdisciplinary collaboration, etc.).

• Many of our peer institutions in particular, Loyola Marymount University, Santa Clara University, University of San Diego, and University of San Francisco, currently have Ethnic Studies or related major programs and it behooves us keep abreast in order to be competitive with these institutions; especially since in California AB101 is proposing to make Ethnic Studies a requirement for high school graduation. In fact, San Francisco Unified School District already has this requirement in place. Therefore, a major program in ES would make SMC more attractive to Bay Area students.

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• An Ethnic Studies Major would move us forward in addressing educational issues related to multiculturalism and education for a global society and continue to bring us into alignment with the critiques expressed by the 2005 WASC report: Saint Mary’s has a long way to go in achieving a basic level of multiculturalism in its function and effectiveness in educating world citizens who have a healthy respect for others—one of the core values of the Lasallian tradition. Such dissonance appears to be inherent in Saint Mary's “benevolent” model of diversity wherein there is care for the “other” without a transformative relationship with the other person(s). The “other” is never seen as a contributor to his/her benefactor and, therefore, is not embraced as essential or even a valuable part of the benefactor's existence and self- understanding. Persons of color and the economically disadvantaged seem to be Saint Mary's “other.” While the institution’s stated commitment to the poor and disadvantaged is highly commendable, part of its challenge in the future will be to redefine its mission in a way that it true to its Catholic heritage while taking advantage of the contemporary understanding and models of diversity and justice.

The Ethnic Studies Major Program

Our mission at Saint Mary's College is to create a student-centered educational community whose members support one another with mutual understanding and respect. Implicit in our mission is a goal of increasing import to colleges and universities across the country, and that is to prepare students for leadership in a diverse democracy. Being prepared for a diverse democracy requires being literate in the intricate patterns that make up our shared history and a program on Ethnic Studies is a key source for that preparation.

Ethnic Studies is a multidisciplinary program encompassing, among others, anthropology, the arts, economics, history, politics, psychology, communications, and sociology. Its focus is on the United States with particular attention paid to the major underrepresented minority groups: African American, Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander and Native American. It addresses issues of social justice, discrimination, immigration and globalization as well as the contributions that each ethnic group has made to American society. The Ethnic Studies major complements the College’s commitment to social justice and to fostering a diverse community respectful and appreciative of cultural difference.

The educational goals of the Ethnic Studies Program include:

• exploring the cultural and social histories of African American, Latino, Native American and Asian American/ Pacific Islander ethnic groups.

• integrating Catholic social justice teaching, the Lasallian core values, and service based learning in service of these historically underrepresented groups.

• critically examining United States racial and ethnic diversities and their interrelatedness to other international socio-historic systems.

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Upon completion of the Ethnic Studies major, students will be able to:

• Describe the history and social theories relevant to a critical understanding of African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian American/Pacific Islander ethnic groups;

• Employ theoretical and analytical frameworks to understand an increasingly complex, multicultural and interdependent world;

• Identify the social, historical, economic, and religious factors that have affected and continue to affect ethnic groups in the U.S.;

• Exhibit critical thinking about issues of social injustice and the common good, and strategies for working towards social justice.

Ethnic Studies Major Requirements

The major will consist of eleven (11) courses total; two (2) lower division and nine (9) upper division.

(Core Curriculum designations are noted where appropriate.)

Lower Division Core Ethnic Studies 01: Introduction to Ethnic Studies [AD, TCG] This course introduces students to the theories and concepts in the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. Specific emphasis will be placed on the ethnic group experiences of African Americans, Latinos, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans. Ethnic Studies 50: Creating Community [AD, TCG] This course is designed to introduce students to issues of social justice, while also preparing students to engage in informed and meaningful dialogue in situations where such understanding and listening are needed. Through individual and group work, students explore intergroup relations, conflict, and community building. Upper Division Core Ethnic Studies 101: Critical Race Theory This course engages critical race theory as an explanatory critical framework, method and pedagogy for analyzing race and racism in the U.S. and that works toward identifying and challenging racism within institutional contexts. Ethnic Studies 110: Youth Cultures, Identities and New Ethnicities This course is an introduction to the field of Critical Youth Studies that discusses the social constructions of youth cultures and identity across time, space and social historical movements. The course focuses upon the key concepts and theories of youth that intersect across social positions (i.e. race, gender, sexuality, class and ethnicity) in the U.S. Methods Course (Choose one) Ethnic Studies 100: Research Seminar on Special Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies (Cross listed with WaGS) COMM 111: Qualitative Methods (Crosslisted with Communications)

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Capstone Course Ethnic Studies 196: The course entails independent study, research and/or creative work in the area of Ethnic Studies. Students are encouraged to explore a question/issue that will represent the culmination of their undergraduate experience and address the learning outcomes of the major. The parameters for the project will be set by the student and her/his instructor, but should entail regular meetings throughout the semester and a term project. (Cross listed with WaGS and GRS) Five Upper Division Electives Students will take two (2) courses from each of the following categories: Ethnic Groups and Identity; Arts and Literature; and Socioeconomics and Inequality Ethnic Groups and Identity: This area includes courses that address the role ethnicity plays in one’s individual, social, and political experiences and identity. The courses listed below are representative of courses that address some of the above particularities. Other courses accepted with approval by Director.

• Communication 106: Intercultural Communication [AD, SHCU] (Cross listed with Communications)

• Ethnic Studies 123: Ethnic Groups in the United States (Cross listed with Sociology) • Ethnic Studies 133: Special Topics in Hispanic Cultural Studies (Cross listed with

Modern Languages) • Ethnic Studies 139: History of Women in America [SHCU] (Cross listed with History) • Ethnic Studies 140/141: African American History [AD, SHCU] (Cross listed with

History) • Ethnic Studies 142: California History [AD, SHCU] (Cross listed with History) • Politics 110: Politics and Race [AD, CE, TCG] (Cross listed with Politics) • Psychology 165: Cross Cultural Psychology [AD, CE] (Cross listed with Psychology)

In addition, new courses are approved on a term-to-term basis.

Arts and Literature: Within Ethnic Studies, the role of Arts and Literature is not only to reflect the social reality of ethnic experiences in the United States, but also to shape and transform that reality. Students will examine competing notions of identity and community that emerge in the literary and artistic expressions of U.S. writers and artists of color. The courses listed below are representative of courses that address some of the above particularities. Other courses accepted with approval by Director.

• Ethnic Studies 150: Chicano/Chicana Literature (Cross listed with Modern Languages) • Ethnic Studies 153: American Ethnic Writers [AA, AD] (Cross listed with English) • Ethnic Studies 154: African American Literature [AA, AD] (Cross listed with English) • Ethnic Studies 170: Problems in Literary Theory (Cross listed with English) • Performing Arts 113: Jazz and Blues in America [AA, AD] • Seminar 144: Multicultural Thought

In addition, new courses are approved on a term-to-term basis.

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Socioeconomics and Inequality: This area includes courses that address the relationship between race and ethnicity and economic, political, and social inequalities in contemporary society. The courses listed below are representative of courses that address some of the above particularities. Other courses accepted with approval by Director.

• Anthropology 131: Cultural Geography • Communication 161: Communication and Social Justice [CE, TCG] • Economics 152: Labor Economics • Ethnic Studies 112: Race and Ethnicity (Cross listed with Sociology) • Ethnic Studies 120: Social Movements and Social Change (Cross listed with Sociology) • Politics 115: Theories of Justice [TCG] • Psychology 163: Prejudice and Stereotypes [AD] • Religious Studies 117: Wealth and Poverty in the Bible • Theology and Religious Studies 117: Wealth and Poverty in the Bible [AD, TCG, TE] • Theology and Religious Studies 166: Spirituality in Practice [AD, TE] • Theology and Religious Studies 171: Gender and Religions in America [AD, TE] • In addition, new courses are approved on a term-to-term basis.

Possibility of double majors The interdisciplinary structure of the Ethnic Studies major will allow students to double major with Women’s and Gender Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Politics, and History since many of the courses to be taken can be double-dipped for both major programs. This will certainly be one of our strong selling points and which will make the ES major very attractive to many students. Additionally, the design of the ES major facilitates the completion of a split major, for those students interested in this option. We will collaborate with the Chairs and Directors of the aforementioned departments and programs to make both the double major and split major a viable option for our students. You will find attached to this document written letters of support for the ES major proposal. Employment opportunities for Ethnic Studies majors Not only does the Ethnic Studies complement most major programs of study offered at Saint Mary’s College in ways that enhance possibilities of employment and success in the their respective fields, but an Ethnic Studies diploma alone will also lead to many job opportunities in many sectors of our society, especially in such culturally diverse places as California. Graduates with an Ethnic Studies major can look forward to jobs in education, counseling, social work, business, and government agencies, among others. Anywhere where a solid knowledge and understanding of the cultural diversity—its socio-political, economic and historical impact—of the United States is needed to perform a job optimally.

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Cost to the college: Implementing this program will have a minimal cost to the college since it is interdisciplinary and draws courses that are already offered in departments across campus. The governing structure of the program would be as follows: Program Director One full-time faculty (David Quijada) Governing Board Current Members of the Ethnic Studies Governing Board: • Alvaro Ramirez (Modern Languages) Director of Ethnic Studies • Shawny Anderson (Communication; JCL) Administration Representative • Emily Klein (English) • Marie Pagliarini (Theology & Religious Studies) • Caitlin Powell (Psychology) • David Quijada (Ethnic Studies) • Scott Schönfeldt-Aultman (Communication) • Ynez Wilson Hirst (Sociology)

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The Ethnic Studies Program Proposed Changes to the ES Minor Program November 2015 We are asking that the UEPC approve changes to the Ethnic Studies Minor for the following reasons.

• Since its inception in 2009, the Ethnic Studies Minor Program has attracted many students. We have always had a healthy number of declared minors (15-20 students each semester; we currently have 15). Usually most of these students complete the requirements, but when confronted with the capstone course in their senior year, many end up dropping out of the program. We feel that they do so because, even though it is a .25 course, the capstone becomes too onerous for the students to complete. It is evident to us that the capstone requirement is keeping many students from declaring a minor in Ethnic Studies and, many of those who have declared, from completing it.

• The original minor program required students to take Seminar 144. However, although

this course is offered regularly, it often does not have the necessary enrollments and is prone to being canceled, in which case our Ethnic Studies minors are forced to petition other courses to complete this program requirement.

• The Ethnic Studies Program has plans to transition into a major program and we find it

necessary to align our minor with the course requirements of the proposed major.

• We believe making these changes will align the Ethnic Studies minor with other minors offered across the disciplines at Saint Mary’s College. Thus, it will become more attractive and competitive.

Current Ethnic Studies Minor

Current ES Minor New ES Minor Three required courses: Three required courses: ES 01: Introduction to Ethnic Studies ES 01: Introduction to Ethnic Studies ES 199: Capstone Course ES 50: Creating Community SEM 144: Multicultural Thought ES 101: Critical Race Theory Three upper div. electives Three upper div. electives One from each area No more than 2 from a single Discipline. See cross listings below 1) Ethnic Groups and Identity 2) Arts and Literature 4) Socioeconomics and Inequality

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Three Required Courses Lower Division Ethnic Studies 01: Introduction to Ethnic Studies: This course introduces students to the theories, concepts, and controversies in the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. Specific emphasis will be placed on the ethnic group experiences of African Americans, Latinos, Asian/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans. Collegiate Seminar Seminar 124: Multicultural Thought: Selected readings from 20th-century multicultural authors of the United States, especially from California. (This course may not be substituted for any of the required four seminar courses.) Upper Division Capstone Course Ethnic Studies 199: Senior Thesis: The course entails independent study, research and/or creative work in the area of ethnic studies. Though students are encouraged to employ a multidisciplinary approach, they need to choose a sponsor from among the faculty members on the Ethnic Studies Committee. (To be taken only after the completion ES 001 and two other upper division electives in the minor.) Three Multi-Disciplinary Upper Division Electives (one from each area) Ethnic Groups and Identity One of the three multidisciplinary divisions is Ethnic Groups & Identity. This area includes courses that address the role ethnicity plays in one’s individual, social, and political experiences and identity. The courses listed below are representative of courses that address some of the above particularities. Anthropology 123: Ethnic Groups in the United States Sociology 116: New Immigrants and Refugees Communication 104: Intercultural Communication History 136: Immigration and Ethnic Relations in American History Politics 110: Minority Politics Psychology 165: Cross-Cultural Psychology Arts and Literature Within Ethnic Studies, the role of Arts and Letters is not only to reflect the social reality of ethnic experience in the United States, but also to shape and transform that reality. Students will examine competing notions of identity and community that emerge in the literary and artistic expressions of U.S. writers and artists of color. The courses listed below are representative of courses that address some of the above particularities. English 154: Studies in African-American Literature Performing Arts 130: Theatre of American Culture Art History 166: The Artist in 20th Century Society Modern Languages 150: Chicano/Chicana

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Literature Socioeconomics and Inequality The last of the three multi-disciplinary divisions is Socioeconomics and Inequality. This area includes courses that address the relationship between ethnicity and economic, political and social inequalities in contemporary society. The courses listed below are representative of courses that address some of the above particularities. Sociology 120: Social Movements and Social Change Economics 152: Labor Economics Business 181: Ethical, Social and Political Issues in Business Politics 115: Theories of Justice Religious Studies 117: Wealth and Poverty in the Bible Description of the New Ethnic Studies Minor Program The Ethnic Studies Minor Program at Saint Mary's College of California uses an interdisciplinary approach to address issues of social justice through expanded notions of critical thinking, multiculturalism, gender sensitivity, business ethics, and community responsibility. It is a vehicle for realizing our Lasallian mission, which includes a “concern with the whole person...respectful of the individuality of each one, [and] takes as its starting point the character, the social situation, and the personal vocation of each student.”

Through research, teaching,

service learning, and public outreach, Ethnic Studies will explore the specific “social situations” of individuals and entire communities that have been historically underrepresented, with the long-term expectation of fostering a unified campus climate. The Ethnic Studies Program minor at Saint Mary’s will help SMC achieve the civic mission of higher education which is to educate students to reach across cultural differences by learning first to understand their own identities so as to be able to communicate with people with other cultural backgrounds without “othering” them, but instead learning to create and to live in a more diverse society.

In addition to teaching students to live fruitful lives in a world where a diversity of cultures coexist together, the Ethnic Studies minor complements most majors offered at Saint Mary’s College, whether students choose a career in, say, sociology, politics, medicine, education, psychology, or business. In every one of these careers, ES provides a solid foundation essential for our graduates to offer their expertise fully to the different ethnic communities in which we will increasingly live out our lives.

The New Proposed Ethnic Studies Minor

The Ethnic Studies minor comprises 6 courses—2 lower division and 4 upper division: *Core Curriculum designations noted in []. Lower Division (2) ES 01 Introduction to Ethnic Studies [AD, TCG] ES 50 Creating Community [AD, TCG] Ethnic Studies Theory (1)

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ES 101: Critical Race Theory (Or other Theory course approved by Director) Upper Division Electives (3) Three (3) upper division electives, with no more than two (2) from a single discipline. Below is a partial list. Other courses approved by Director. COMM 106: Intercultural Communication [AD, SHCU] COMM 161: Communication and Social Justice [CE, TCG] ECON 152: Labor Economics ES 102: Youth Cultures, Identities and New Ethnicities ES112: Race and Ethnicity [Cross listed with Sociology] ES 123: Ethnic Groups in the US (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 131: Cultural Geography (Cross listed with Anthropology) ES 139: History of Women in America [SHCU] (Cross listed with History) ES 140/141: African American History [AD, SHCU] (Cross listed with History) ES 142: California History [AD, SHCU] (Cross listed with History) ES 150: Chicano/Chicana Literature (Cross listed with Modern Languages) ES 153: American Ethnic Writers [AA, AD] (Cross listed with English) ES 154: African American Literature [AA, AD] (Cross listed with English) ES 170: Problems in Literary Theory (Cross listed with English) ES 195: Internship ES196: Senior Capstone Thesis ES 197: Independent Study ES 199: Honors PERFA 113: Jazz and Blues in America [AA, AD] PSYCH 163: Prejudice and Stereotypes [AD PSYCH 165: Cross Cultural Psychology [AD, CE] POL 110: Politics and Race [AD, CE, TCG] POL 115: Theories of Justice [TCG] SEM 144: Multicultural Thought TRS 117: Wealth and Poverty in the Bible [AD, TCG, TE] TRS 166: Spirituality in Practice [AD, TE] TRS 171: Gender and Religion in America [AD, TE]

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