What's Up With This Class?
Become a Better You
Why take Ethnic Studies st GCC?
The Ethnic Studies Department aspires to critically evaluate the history and humanity of the many ethnic groups in the United States, as well as the contemporary experiences of these groups. Such study requires an interdisciplinary approach. Ethnic Studies courses are designed to do more than disseminate knowledge; they inspire, invoke action, and uplift social consciousness.
One of the most beneficial concepts taught in Ethnic Studies 110 is the idea of intersectionality. This idea incorporates the interconnected relationships among varying identities—as mentioned above—and how these systems affect our perspectives and experiences. Learning about intersectionality forces each and every student outside their own comfort zone in order to recognize how human aspects outside our control affect both our own and our peers’ lives. The men in class are able to better understand the experiences of women and the obstacles they face daily, and women are able to listen to the stories of those who have been challenged by divisions of race, identity, or class. But if you need more reasons to take the course, here are some more reasons:
To defeat systematic racism, institutions must fully integrate truly diverse and inclusive subject matter into survey and required courses. Access article supporting this claim HERE.
Human beings do experience themselves as people who have gender, race, sexuality, and culture. And those differences lead to different experiences in the world. If we are to broaden and deepen our understanding of human experience, we have to examine it in all of its diversity and understand the difference difference makes. Ignoring social differences in human experience in academic study would make as much sense as ignoring differences in fish or stars or flowers. Commonalities don’t negate differences.
Ethnic minority women in the US are actually the majority of the human population, and, yet they are still mostly ignored or marginalized in much of the curriculum of higher education. Ethnic Women's Studies ensures that students have an opportunity to develop skills to understand how race, gender, sexuality, and other forms of difference work in the world.
Third, research shows that taking Ethnic Studies classes is good for students and helps achieve the goals of higher education.
Many Ethnic Studies and Women Studies students are members of the groups studied in these courses, and they are attracted to courses that focus on their communities, identities, and histories because they do not find their experiences and concerns centered in many other classes throughout the university. Research shows that Ethnic Studies and Women Studies courses have positive impacts on students. Taking these courses improves students’ sense of empowerment and their sense of self-worth and enhances student engagement and academic achievement. Most important, the course enables all students to acknowledge the valuable presence, experience and contributiuons of Etninic Minority Women in the US.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
How Much Reading? Every week, zero cost readings and videos via Canvas are carefully selected to ensure the essential question can be answered. The readings may be challenging, yet effective time management is part of the college experience.
How Much Weekly Work? Sometimes reading is hard, so weekly in-class activities are designed to enhance the understanding of the content. In addition, visual resources such as documentaries and films will be viewed to add another layer of understanding.
How Many Test? In this class, we refer to tests as assessments. There are 3 types of Assessments:
A Formative Assessment is a mid unit, small and simple assessments designed to measure the process of your understanding of the course content. Feedback provides you guidance toward your unit summative assessments. In this class, Canvas Discussions will be our formative assessments.
A Unit Summative Assessment is designed to measure your application of the unit course content to your formed arguments. Helpful Resources will be provided to assist in articulating your arguments. There are 4 summative assessments. A final exam will be durning week 8. Your final exam is the least intense writing exercise.
Alternative Assessments will be offered to students when a student provides their own assessment design and justification explaining how they are meeting the unit outcome and demonstrating their mastery of the unit. A final decision will be negotiated between teacher and student.
Self Assessments are assigned at the end unit. Students have a chance to self reflect on their work and learning by applying a rubric rating their own performance.
**Do-Overs are part of Week 8. In Week 8, you will have an opportunity to select one of your summative assessments from units 1-3 to do over. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Is there help? The course is designed with a support system via Canvas Groups. Canvas Groups are a space in which students can demonstrate mastery. In this class, demonstrating mastery enables students to earn a "Mastery" Score in unit assessment. Here is a video explaining the value of Demonstrating Mastery.
Strict Grading? No. In fact, I hate how grading has nothing to do with learning. However, I will attach to each assignment with clear expectations. A rubric contains "evaluative" criteria, quality definitions for those criteria at particular levels of achievement, and a scoring strategy. Reading the rubric will guide you toward your best possible outcome. Rubrics are available in our Orientation Module under Methods Of Evaluation and by CLICKING HERE. Feedback will enable you to understand how to maintain your focus toward a successful outcome. Some activities will require peer-reviews. "Grading" is usually completed within 72 hours. Please note that feedback is the most important part of the learning process. My feedback is geared to enable you to level up in your process.
Grading Options? GCC hopes you and your loved ones are staying safe during this unprecedented time in the world. Given the number of challenges you are facing, most colleges across the country are doing their best to accommodate students by adjusting grading rules and regulations. Talk to your counselor about your options. They are on your side
Any Extra Credit? Because only benefits a few, traditional student, I believe Extra Credit is not equitable or fair to everyone. Therefore, no extra credit will be provided. However, I do provide help and opportunities to level up student performance.
Is It A Lot Of Writing? Whether we like it or not, writing will be part of our educational journey. And through our journey, we develop more skills after every unit. I want to assist your writing development journey.
"I realized how Latina I was, and then also, at the same time, how not Latina enough I was, because I'm born and raised in Los Angeles. I speak Spanish, but I don't speak perfect Spanish, not like a native speaker."
America Ferrera, Activist / Actor