Ethnic Studies, Associate in Arts
An Associate in Arts degree in Ethnic Studies can be used in social work, teaching, law, advocacy, politics, community services, cultural arts, or museums, and in local, state and federal governmental agencies. Ethnic Studies scholarship is interdisciplinary by nature and interrogates the multiple meanings of diversity. It also engages students in critically examining the cultural contributions, historical experiences, and socioeconomic concerns of varied groups. As part of our pedagogical philosophy, the Ethnic Studies program uses student-centered pedagogies to expand students’ social and political horizons, as well as their creative, critical thinking skills. The Ethnic Studies program is committed to providing students with the skills to address social issues in their communities and to work effectively across diverse settings.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Define and use key concepts, terminology, and theoretical frameworks central to the interdisciplinary field of Ethnic Studies.
- Analyze and discuss the social, economic, and cultural experiences of ethnic minorities relative to the social sciences and the humanities by engaging in critical thinking, communication, and research.
- Identify and discuss interconnections of ethnicity, gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, and other categories of identity in various spheres of human experience ranging from the individual to the collective.
- Illustrate cultural competence by learning about people, cultures, and societies different from themselves and being able to effectively interact with people from diverse cultures.
Associate in Arts Degree Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| Select one Introductory course from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | ||
| Introduction to Race and Ethnicity | ||
| Select one Humanities course from the following: | 3 | |
| Mexican-American and Chicano Art | ||
| African-American Arts and Music | ||
| Ethnic Images in Film | ||
| Select one Historical Settings course from the following: | 3 | |
| Chicano History 1848 to Present | ||
| African Americans in U.S. History to 1877 | ||
| African Americans in U.S. History 1865 to Present | ||
| Women in United States History | ||
or GWOS 12 | Women in United States History | |
| Select one Political Institutions course from the following: | 3 | |
| American Government and African American Politics | ||
| Chicanos in American Politics | ||
| Select any two courses listed above not already used, or choose from the following: | 6 | |
| Sociology of Latinos and Latinas | ||
| Native American and Indigenous Peoples of the United States | ||
| Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in American Society | ||
| TOTAL MAJOR UNITS | 18 | |
| Additional Requirements | 42 | |
| Complete Competency Requirements, general education pattern (MPC General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC), and electives, if needed, for a total of 60 degree-applicable units. | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |
Please refer to the graduation requirements section of the Catalog for information about degree and certificate requirements including Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Information Competency, and General Education requirements.
The model sequence of coursework below is one pathway for students to complete the program. The information below is not an official educational plan. An MPC Counselor can assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling and up-to-date program requirements.
Suggested 2-Year Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AE | College Composition or College Composition: Enhanced | 3 |
| LIBR 50 | Introduction to Library and Research Skills | 1 |
| MPC GE Area A2 (MATH 16 Recommended) | 4 | |
| ETNC 10 or ETNC/SOCI 13 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies or Introduction to Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| MPC GE Area E | 3 | |
| Elective (COUN 10 Recommended) | 1 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ETNC 16 or ETNC 18 | American Government and African American Politics or Chicanos in American Politics | 3 |
| ETNC 4 | Mexican-American and Chicano Art or African-American Arts and Music or Ethnic Images in Film | 3 |
| Elective (ENGL 2 Recommended) | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ETNC 4 or ETNC 5 or ETNC 6 or ETNC 10 or ETNC/SOCI 13 or ETNC/SOCI 14 or ETNC 16 or ETNC 18 or ETNC/ANTH 20 or ETNC/SOCI 22 or ETNC/HIST 23 or ETNC/HIST 24 or ETNC/HIST 25 | Mexican-American and Chicano Art or African-American Arts and Music or Ethnic Images in Film or Introduction to Ethnic Studies or Introduction to Race and Ethnicity or Sociology of Latinos and Latinas or American Government and African American Politics or Chicanos in American Politics or Native American and Indigenous Peoples of the United States or Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in American Society or Chicano History 1848 to Present or African Americans in U.S. History to 1877 or African Americans in U.S. History 1865 to Present | 3 |
| ETNC 24/HIST 24, ETNC 25/HIST 25, GWOS 12, or HIST 12 | 3 | |
| MPC GE Area B and Lab | 4 | |
| Electives (SPCH 1, SPCH 2, or SPCH 3 Recommended) | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ETNC 4 or ETNC 5 or ETNC 6 or ETNC 10 or ETNC/SOCI 13 or ETNC/SOCI 14 or ETNC 16 or ETNC 18 or ETNC/ANTH 20 or ETNC/SOCI 22 or ETNC/HIST 23 or ETNC/HIST 24 or ETNC/HIST 25 | Mexican-American and Chicano Art or African-American Arts and Music or Ethnic Images in Film or Introduction to Ethnic Studies or Introduction to Race and Ethnicity or Sociology of Latinos and Latinas or American Government and African American Politics or Chicanos in American Politics or Native American and Indigenous Peoples of the United States or Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in American Society or Chicano History 1848 to Present or African Americans in U.S. History to 1877 or African Americans in U.S. History 1865 to Present | 3 |
| Electives | 11 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |