Ethnic Studies

Students who pursue an ethnic studies minor seek a deeper understanding of American racial and ethnic groups, namely, African Americans, Latinos(as), Asian Pacific Americans and Native Americans. Your courses, internships and community service work will provide insight into the contributions, social/cultural development, intellectual expression and circumstances of these groups in American society. You'll study literature, social sciences, music, history and human relations from a variety of ethnic perspectives.

Program Highlights

  • Multidisciplinary program that allows great flexibility in focus.
  • Development of understanding to be able to work within and empower diverse communities.
  • Education Abroad programs to intellectually stimulating regions such as South Africa, Mexico, Southeast Asia (Thailand and Laos) and China.
  • Opportunities for global and comparative analysis between ethnic minority groups, indigenous communities and their relations in their ancestral homelands.
  • Easy translation to a variety of fields such as education, law, mass communication, nonprofit work, sciences, art, business, social work and psychology.

Program Distinctions

  • Award-winning annual Power in Diversity Leadership Conference empowers student and campus leaders to use leadership and mentoring skills for cultural change and social justice and has become a regional force for fostering inclusivity and improving access and retention of diverse campus community members.
  • Diversity and Equity Award for Multicultural Student Services' 25-year-old Advanced Preparation Program (APP) from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
  • National Association of Ethnic Studies' Robert L. Perry Mentorship Award given to Professor Robert C. Johnson, founder of a 25-year-old series of math-science-computer camps for underserved demographic groups.
  • Accomplished faculty: Social historian Christopher Lehman's is the author of four books that drew national reviews and media coverage: "Slavery in the Upper Mississippi Valley, 1787-1865," "A Critical History of Soul Train on Television," "The Colored Cartoon: Black Representation in American Animated Short Films" and "American Animated Cartoons of the Vietnam Era."

Student Organizations

  • Social Responsibility Student Organization
  • Global Horizons Club
  • Movimento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.)
  • Latin American Student Association
  • All Tribes Council
  • Asian Students in Action
  • Council for African American Students

Popular Careers

  • Teacher
  • Lobbyist
  • Social Worker
  • Journalist
  • Counselor
  • Anthropologist
  • Human Resources Officer

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