Ethnic Studies
Associate of Arts Ethnic and Social Justice Studies · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Behavioral and Social Sciences Division www.elcamino.edu/academics/behavioralsocial
The degree in ethnic studies provides students with an interdisciplinary foundation for the study of American ethic groups. The degree can be earned in a single ethnic subject category or in the combined American cultures option. The curriculum incorporates a range of cultural, historical, political, and sociological methodologies that provide students with a theoretical framework for analysis of the contributions, role and major issues of African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicanos, and Native Americans. Students will apply these theoretical perspectives to analyze socioeconomic and political factors that confront ethnic minorities as they interact with the majority society. Competencies will be assessed through examinations, essays, research papers, and directed projects.
African American Studies Option:
Required Core: 15 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 43 | African American Literature | 3 |
| ESTU 1 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| HIST 110 | The African American in the United States to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 111 | The African American in the United States from 1877 to the Present | 3 |
| PSYC 110 | African American Psychology | 3 |
6 units from:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AHIS 209 | History of African Art | 3 |
| ENGL 44 | The Literature of American Ethnic Groups | 3 |
| HIST 122 | United States Social History: Cultural Pluralism in America | 3 |
| MUSI 113 | Survey of Jazz | 3 |
| POLI 5 | Ethnicity in the American Political Process | 3 |
| SOCI 104 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOCI 107 | Issues of Race and Ethnicity in the United States | 3 |
Total Units: 21
American Cultures Option:
Required Core: 3 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ESTU 1 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
15 units from:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 6 | Native Peoples of North America | 3 |
| AHIS 207 | Art History of Mexico and Central and South America | 3 |
| ENGL 42 | Chicane and Latine Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 43 | African American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 44 | The Literature of American Ethnic Groups | 3 |
| ESTU 3 | The Chicano in Contemporary United States Society | 3 |
| ESTU 5 | Chicano Culture | 3 |
| HIST 108 | United States History: The American Indian Experience | 3 |
| HIST 110 | The African American in the United States to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 111 | The African American in the United States from 1877 to the Present | 3 |
| HIST 112 | History of the Chicano in the United States | 3 |
| HIST 122 | United States Social History: Cultural Pluralism in America | 3 |
| PSYC 110 | African American Psychology | 3 |
| SOCI 107 | Issues of Race and Ethnicity in the United States | 3 |
3 units from:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 2 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| HIST 154 | A History of Mexico | 3 |
| MUSI 113 | Survey of Jazz | 3 |
| POLI 5 | Ethnicity in the American Political Process | 3 |
| SOCI 104 | Social Problems | 3 |
Total Units: 21
Asian American Studies Option:
Required Core: 12 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 44 | The Literature of American Ethnic Groups | 3 |
| ESTU 1 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| HIST 114 | History of the Asian American in the United States | 3 |
| SOCI 107 | Issues of Race and Ethnicity in the United States | 3 |
6 units from:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AHIS 205A | History of Asian Art - India and Southeast Asia | 3 |
| AHIS 205B | History of Asian Art - China, Korea, and Japan | 3 |
| JAPA 25 | Cultural Aspects of the Japanese Language | 3 |
| PHIL 115 | Existentialism | 3 |
| POLI 5 | Ethnicity in the American Political Process | 3 |
| SOCI 104 | Social Problems | 3 |
Total Units: 18
Chicano Studies Option:
Required Core: 18 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AHIS 207 | Art History of Mexico and Central and South America | 3 |
| ENGL 42 | Chicane and Latine Literature | 3 |
| ESTU 3 | The Chicano in Contemporary United States Society | 3 |
| ESTU 5 | Chicano Culture | 3 |
| HIST 112 | History of the Chicano in the United States | 3 |
| HIST 154 | A History of Mexico | 3 |
3 units from:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 44 | The Literature of American Ethnic Groups | 3 |
| ESTU 1 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| HIST 122 | United States Social History: Cultural Pluralism in America | 3 |
| POLI 5 | Ethnicity in the American Political Process | 3 |
| SOCI 104 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOCI 107 | Issues of Race and Ethnicity in the United States | 3 |
Total Units: 21
Native American Studies Option:
Required Core: 18 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 6 | Native Peoples of North America | 3 |
| ENGL 44 | The Literature of American Ethnic Groups | 3 |
| ESTU 1 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| HIST 108 | United States History: The American Indian Experience | 3 |
| POLI 5 | Ethnicity in the American Political Process | 3 |
| SOCI 107 | Issues of Race and Ethnicity in the United States | 3 |
3 units from:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 2 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 7 | Native Peoples of South America | 3 |
| ANTH 8 | Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica | 3 |
| AHIS 207 | Art History of Mexico and Central and South America | 3 |
| SOCI 104 | Social Problems | 3 |
Total Units: 21
GE Patterns
Complete one of the following:
ECC GE: 24 units
Required for local degrees (AA and AS).
Cal-GETC: 34 units
Required for transfer degrees (AA-T and AS-T).
Electives
As needed to reach a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units.
Minimum Degree Total: 60 units