Ethnic Studies
15 courses · Cuesta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
ETHN 210 ETHNIC STUDIES FOR EDUCATORS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Prepares students to utilize the concepts and methods of Ethnic Studies in teaching and pedagogical practice in K-12 education. Discusses the role of intersectionality, identity, and collective struggle in educational institutions, focusing on Native American, African American, Asian American and Latina and Latino American communities. Covers the historical inequalities reproduced within education and schools, the knowledge produced by these communities and the strategies used for resistance and liberation. Same as EDUC 210.
ETHN 211 CRITICAL WHITENESS STUDIES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduces key concepts for analyzing white racial identity and white supremacy, including power, privilege, oppression, discrimination, structural inequity, and institutional racism. Examines how whiteness is produced and maintained through government institutions, businesses, families, and popular culture in the United States and around the world. Provides opportunities for reflection and teaches skills for productive dialogue and action.
ETHN 213 ETHNIC LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduces the study of American literature by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian-American authors, including the application of literary theory and the analysis of core concepts such as racialization, equity, ethno-centrism, intersectionality, and oppression. Examines and emphasizes the shared and developing traditions of writers of color, focusing on themes of resistance, agency, and self-affirmation. Same as ENGL 213.
ETHN 219 INTRODUCTION TO QUEER STUDIES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SJS 130
Examines a broad range of contemporary lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and related experiences in various contexts, including bio-medical, psycho-social development, socio-political, and race/ethnicity utilizing intersectional and queer of color frameworks.
ETHN 230 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ETHNIC STUDIES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SJS 110
Explores the evolution, impact, and future of Ethnic Studies through the history of the social justice and racial equality movements in the U.S. during the 1960s and 1970s. Shows how Ethnic Studies emerged as an academic discipline to provide a relevant education in contrast to ethno-centrism, eurocentrism, and white supremacy. Practices applied methodologies in Social Justice and Ethnic Studies, providing depth of insight into struggles and mobilization strategies for equity, self-determination, liberation, decolonization, and anti-racism.
ETHN 231 DECOLONIZATION AND RACIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Advisory
- ETHN 230
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Examines movements for decolonization and racial justice in the United States and around the world among Native American and Indigenous peoples, as well as Black/African American, Asian American and Chicanx/Latinx communities. Analyzes the social, historical, and cultural factors that prompt intersectional and decolonial struggles for racial, gender, economic, educational, and environmental justice, such as Black Lives Matter, Say Her Name, Land Back, and local tribal efforts to assert and maintain Indigenous sovereignty and racial justice. Covers the scope and influence of racial justice movements, civil rights, struggles for Indigenous sovereignty, decolonization, and contemporary mobilization. Pays special attention to movements that are currently working to end intersecting forms of racism, settler-colonialism, cisheterosexism, and xenophobia.
ETHN 234 WOMEN OF COLOR
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Examines the racialized experiences of women in the United States, centering the expertise of Black/African American, Chicanx/Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Native American, and Indigenous feminist perspectives. Analyzes the dynamics of intersectionality, racism, settler-colonialism, patriarchy, and other forms of systemic oppression. Engages with interdisciplinary perspectives to demonstrate the unique contributions of Indigenous women and women of color to movements, society, and politics. Equips students with knowledge and skills to engage with current social issues and topics, such as criminalization, reproductive justice, media representations, and equity in higher education.
ETHN 235 RACE, ETHNICITY, AND POP CULTURE
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Advisory
- ETHN 230
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Examines the contributions of Native Americans and Indigenous peoples, Black / African American communities, Chicanx and Latinx communities, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in media and popular culture. Reviews the cultural, economic, social, and political forces that shape intersectional representations in media and the ways that media is used for social movements and resistance. Analyzes representations of race, ethnicity, Indigeneity, immigration, gender, and sexuality in film, television, music, art, and news media through Ethnic Studies theoretical frameworks, such as queer of color critique, womxn of color feminisms, cultural studies, and new media studies.
ETHN 240 INTRODUCTION TO NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduces the interdisciplinary field of Native American and Indigenous Studies. Explores the social, political, and cultural dynamics impacting Indigenous peoples in the Americas and around the world, focusing on contemporary issues and activities. Critically analyzes topics including Native and Indigenous philosophy and religious traditions, settler-colonialism, intersectionality, gender, class, urbanization, intertribal relations, sovereignty, cultural productions, and environmental justice. Connects students to contemporary topics of social activism being led by Native American and Indigenous peoples within and beyond Indigenous communities.
ETHN 250 INTRODUCTION TO BLACK STUDIES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Surveys the Black Studies discipline, including its social, political, and academic origins, as well as the current goals and development of the field. Provides students with conceptual and methodological tools from interdisciplinary perspectives to analyze the experiences of Black communities in the United States and around the world. Examines key contributions of Black individuals to culture, politics, science, and technology using conceptual frameworks of Black joy and Black futurities. Critically analyzes the intersectional dynamics within Black communities, including gender, sexuality, class, religion, ability, and other factors. Emphasizes engagement with current issues and social movements, such as criminal justice and policing, healthcare, education, voting rights, and reproductive justice.
ETHN 252 WORK EXPERIENCE IN ETHNIC STUDIES
- Units
- 0.5 to 4
- Hours
- 1.5 to 12 hours per week: (0.00 - 0.00 lecture hours/0.00 - 0.00 lab hours/1.50 - 12.00 work experience hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides opportunities for students in Ethnic Studies to connect academic curricula to experiential learning in the workplace as an internship, Service Learning placement or general employment. Allows students to develop and work on learning objectives in workplace competencies and technical skills relevant for their course of study and career pathway. Students must work 54 hours for each unit of credit earned, in half-unit increments (27 hours), up to a maximum of 4 units. Employment can be paid or unpaid.
ETHN 260 INTRODUCTION TO CHICANX AND LATINX STUDIES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Provides students with an overview of the interdisciplinary fields of Chicanx and Latinx Studies, including key concepts, scholars, and frameworks. Critically analyzes the social, political, cultural, and institutional dynamics that impact the history of Chicanx and Latinx communities, such as imperialism, racial categorization, hierarchies, capitalism, war, and immigration policies. Focuses on how intersecting factors of gender, class, Indigeneity, immigration status, and sexuality impact political activism, cultural norms, and individual behaviors. Evaluates the contributions made by Chicanx and Latinx social movements advocating for racial justice and self-determination.
ETHN 262 CHICANX AND LATINX COMMUNITY PRACTICE
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Advisory
- ETHN 230 or ETHN 260
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Examines historical and contemporary efforts to address patterns of inequities affecting Chicanx and Latinx communities. Introduces key concepts for understanding equity, policy change, and community wellbeing among Chicanx and Latinx communities. Covers intergenerational trauma, medical exploitation, eugenics, intersectional disparities, barriers to accessing care, Latino Threat Narrative, cultural humility, advocacy, ethnic enclaves, and culturally responsive interventions. Pays special attention to the consequences of inequities in shaping community wellbeing. Same as ASHS 262.
ETHN 264 CHICANA AND LATINA FEMINISMS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Provides students with a foundational understanding of Chicanas and Latinas in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on intersectional frameworks to view the historical development of gender roles in contemporary society. Includes an analysis of issues currently affecting Chicana and Latina women and the advocacy strategies used to address these issues.
ETHN 270 INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Explores experiences of Asian American communities from the 19th century to the present. Students examine historical and current Asian American issues, using frameworks including Critical Race Theory, analyzing race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic class, labor, national origin, mixed heritages, religion/spirituality, generation, ability, colonialism, decolonization, immigration, activism and resistance.