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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Ethnic Studies (ETHS) Undergraduate Programs

227 51B BUILDING/(320) 308-4928

Also see College of Social Sciences description and requirements.

Programs at a Glance

Degree programs

  • Minor
    • African American Studies
    • American Indian Studies
    • Asian Pacific American Studies
    • Chicana/o Studies
    • Ethnic Studies
  • Minor (BES)
    • African American Studies
    • American Indian Studies
    • Asian Pacific American Studies
    • Chicana/o Studies
    • Ethnic Studies

(See this section and the section on the College of Social Sciences for more information.)

Chair: Jeanne Lacourt
Faculty Committee: Johnson, Kishimoto, Lacourt, Lehman

The Ethnic Studies program is designed for students who desire to complement their major course of study with an understanding and examination of American racial and ethnic groups, namely African-Americans, American Indians, Asian Pacific-Americans, Chicano/as and Latino/a Americans. Our courses provide insight into the histories, contributions, social/cultural developments, intellectual and creative expressions and present circumstances of these groups in the United States. Ethnic Studies is multidisciplinary, offering opportunities for global and comparative analysis between ethnic minority groups, indigenous communities, and their relations in their ancestral homelands.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science and
Bachelor of Elective Studies (Non-Teaching) Minor (18)

Required (9):
ETHS 201, 401
Electives from the following courses with approval by the ETHS adviser. ANTH 159, CMST 332; CMTY 470, 475; ENGL 215, 216, 307, 315, 316, 317; ETHS 205, 210, 215, 305, 307, 310, 312, 350, 405, 410; HIST 350, 352 354; HURL 201, 206 OR 496-497; MUSM 229, POL 492; SOC 268, 468; SSCI 476

With approval of the Ethnic Studies chair, up to 6 credits may be taken in other courses with an ethnic studies focus offered as new courses, special topics or issues classes, seminars, experimental classes or workshops. Up to 6 credits of an internship in Ethnic Studies may be counted toward the minor.

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Elective Studies

American Indian Studies Minor (18)

A minor in American Indian Studies is designed for students who wish to challenge and augment their work in their major course of study by examining additional interpretations of United States history, law and policy as they directly relate to indigenous communities in the United States. It offers students knowledge and information that will facilitate their understanding of issues that confront American Indian communities. Students will have a more informed understanding of sovereignty and the unique relationship between the United States government and tribal nations. A minor provides insight into the histories, contributions, social, cultural and political developments and intellectual expressions of American Indian communities.

Required (9): ETHS 210, 410; HIST 352
Electives (9): Choose from the following list of courses with approval by American Indian Studies minor adviser: ANTH 159; ENGL 215, 315; HURL 407; ETHS 199, 299, 301, 305, 310, 312, 399, 401.

Other courses offered irregularly, such as Ojibwe Language, History and Culture and special topics courses, may count toward the minor with approval of American Indian Studies minor adviser.


Chicana/o Studies Minor (18)

The Chicana/o Studies minor is designed for students who wish to complement their major courses of study with an examination of the Mexican American experience. It provides knowledge and understanding of the history, contributions, social/cultural development, and the intellectual and artistic expressions of the Chicano/a community. The Chicana/o Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary program of study that consists of 18 credits.

Required courses (6): ETHS 205, 407

Students must take one of the following courses (3): ETHS 307, 325, CMTY 475, ETHS/LAST 350.

Electives (9): ETHS 201, 305, 307, 325, 401, 405; CMTY 475; ED 457; ENGL 317; GEOG 373; HIST 354; LAST 250, 370; POL 333; ETHS/LAST 350.

Other courses offered may count for the minor with the approval of Chicana/o Studies adviser.

African American Studies Minor (18)

The minor in African American Studies is designed for students wishing to add to their major course of study by examining the African American experience. It offers knowledge and comprehension of the history, community, and cultural expressions of African Americans to students. The African American Studies Minor is an 18-credit, interdisciplinary program of study.

Required courses (9): ETHS 220, 308, 408/508
Electives (9): ETHS 201; CMTY 470/570; ENGL 216; HIST 350, 357; HURL 201, 408, 491, 492; MUSM 126, 229.

Asian Pacific American Studies Minor (18)

The minor in Asian Pacific American Studies is designed for students who wish to focus their studies on the diverse social, historical, and cultural experiences of the various Asian Pacific American groups residing in the United States. All of the core (9 credits) and elective (9 credits) courses in this program are so targeted as to highlight the central issues which confront Asian Pacific American communities, and will consider such phenomena as transnational movements, representation in popular culture, gender roles, and the important contributions of people of Asian Pacific ancestry. Through study abroad programs, the minor will also provide the student with the opportunity to engage in comparative studies of the Asian homelands with the overseas Diaspora communities. In this manner, the minor will stimulate an exciting and challenging exploration of the histories, racial experiences, and contributions - as well as the social, cultural, political, and intellectual developments - characteristic of Asian Pacific Americans.

Required courses (9): ETHS 215, 425; one of the following: ETHS/ANTH 313, ETHS 335, 345
Electives (9): ANTH 311; ETHS 335, 345; ETHS/ANTH 313, 315, 472; HIST 467; ETHS 199, 299, 399, 401 (with approval of APA advisor).