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 contributions of Ethnic Minority Women in the US.
How Much Reading? Every week, online 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.
Is there a lot of writing? There is a lot of thinking, planning and desiging projects. In fact, there are NO 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAYS in this class. Yet there will be creative projects requiring writing.
How Much Weekly Work? Sometimes reading is hard, so weekly class discussions 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.
What is the grade scale? While there is STILL an earned grade submitted, there are NO GRADES during the class session. Feedback and guidance are part of the learning process. Students receive 2nd, 3rd and even 4th chances until the assignment criteria is met. In the end, students "grade" their performance as a final activity. Earned grades are justified through a self evaluation based on performance evidence. Further information on our learning environment can be found in our UnGrading In Ethnic Studies Page.
"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