What is Ethnic Studies and Why Does it Matter?

Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary field with various subfields, notably African American Studies, Chicanx/Latinx Studies, Native American Studies, Asian American Studies, and Comparative Ethnic Studies. These fields apply methods from the humanities and social sciences to analyze the past and present with particular attention to:

1) the ways that oppressive forces such as colonialism, racism, sexism, ableism, and the like shape(d) social conditions,

2) the perspectives, contributions, and solidarity of marginalized groups,

3) the agency, resistance, and joy among oppressed communities historically and in the present.

That is, Ethnic Studies advances a more complete and rigorous analysis of history and the present through a more honest understanding of the ways that power operates in society; elevates alternative visions for a more just world through historical and contemporary examples of solidarity; and provides students with the self-love, skills, and knowledge to be agents of change. 

But Ethnic Studies teaching is about more that just WHAT gets taught. It also concerns itself with HOW we teach and WHY we teach. The following provides the foundation for our work in the Ethnic Studies Residency and the Institute for Emancipatory Education at SJSU, stressing that Ethnic Studies teaching is about cultivating loving relationships with students, families, and communities to promote self-determination, voice, and agency.

Unsurprisingly, Ethnic Studies education has demonstrated remarkable benefits to the academic experiences and outcomes of all students, especially students of color. Such benefits include higher test scores and grade point averages, more credit attainment, better attitudes toward schooling and toward one's own academic self-efficacy, and greater intercultural understanding. A very useful summary of the benefits of Ethnic Studies can be found in the work of Christine Sleeter and Miguel Zavala, linked here.

If you would like to learn more about Ethnic Studies, the SJSU Ethnic Studies Residency Program primer with some useful podcasts, webinars, and open access publications can be accessed here.  Also, below you can find links to the books and websites that will provide some useful materials we'll engage with during our sessions. 

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