Ethnic Studies
A.A. Degree Ethnic Studies · Laney College · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Ethnic Studies major is designed to assist all students develop an understanding and appreciation of other peoples and cultures in the United States. Using comparative methodologies and honoring community based knowledge, the major emphasizes a critical understanding of race and race relations. Students may elect among the following majors: African American Studies, Asian/Asian American Studies, Ethnic Studies, Mexican/Latin American Studies or Native American Studies. Each program provides a sound background for students preparing to pursue a degree in Ethnic Studies or a related field on transfer to four-year institutions while also supporting the acquisition of skills that will enhance career opportunities in government and community-based agencies.
Career Opportunities
Program is geared in future careers in Teaching, Social Work, Public Health, Community Organizing, as well as working in higher education or graduate school.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
- Evaluate the development of the field of Ethnic Studies, and utilize research methodologies and scholarship within the field to produce research papers.
- Effectively employ social science methodologies in the analysis of issues related to Ethnic Studies.
- Identify and describe the general history of racial/ethnic people in the U.S.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirement 1: Introduction to Ethnic Studies ( 3 units): | 3 | |
| ETHST 1 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Core Requirement 2: Intersections of Race and Gender (3 units): | 3 | |
| AFRAM 35 | Women of Color | 3 |
| ASAME 35 | Women of Color | 3 |
| NATAM 35 | Women of Color | 3 |
| M/LAT 35 | Women of Color | 3 |
| Comparative Ethnic Studies Courses ( 6 units): | 6 | |
| ETHST 3 | Race, Gender and Sports | 3 |
| ETHST 14 | Community Building and Transformation in Urban America | 3 |
| ETHST 30 | Introduction to Race, Gender and Health | 3 |
| ETHST 50 | Introduction to Race, Class and Schools | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies Electives (6 units): | 6 | |
| AFRAM 1 | Introduction to African American Studies | 3 |
| AFRAM 2 | Black Economics | 3 |
| AFRAM 5 | The African American Family in the United States | 3 |
| AFRAM 8 | African-American Politics | 3 |
| AFRAM 11 | Perceptions of the African American Male in America | 3 |
| AFRAM 12 | Psychology of African Americans | 3 |
| AFRAM 16 | The Prison Industrial Complex: African American Incarceration | 3 |
| AFRAM 18 | African Heritage of Latin America | 3 |
| AFRAM 23 | Perceptions of African American Women | 3 |
| AFRAM 26 | African American Culture: Black Music, Art, and Literature | 3 |
| AFRAM 30 | African American History: Africa to 1865 | 3 |
| AFRAM 31 | African American History: 1865-1945 | 3 |
| AFRAM 38 | Environmental Racism and Justice | 3 |
| ASAME 2 | Introduction to the Pacific Islander Experience from 1850 to the Present | 3 |
| ASAME 10 | Asian and Asian American Popular Culture | 3 |
| ASAME 21 | Asian-American Communities | 3 |
| ASAME 30 | Asians and Asian-Americans Through Films | 3 |
| ASAME 32 | Asian American Psychology | 3 |
| ASAME 42 | South and Southeast Asians in the United States | 3 |
| ENGL 31 | Survey of African-American Literature | 3 |
| ETHST 20 | Arab and Muslim Experiences in the United States | 3 |
| M/LAT 23 | Psychology of Latinas and Latinos | 3 |
| M/LAT 30A | Survey of Latin-American Films | 3 |
| M/LAT 30B | Survey of Latin-American Films | 3 |
| M/LAT 31 | Survey of Chicana/Latina Women | 3 |
| M/LAT 32 | African Heritage of Latin America | 3 |
| M/LAT 33 | Introduction to Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies | 3 |
| M/LAT 34 | History of Latinos in the United States: 1800 to Present | 3 |
| M/LAT 36 | Survey of Latina/o Literature | 3 |
| M/LAT 38 | Introduction to Curanderismo: Sacred Healing Traditions and Practices of Mexico and the Southwest United States | 3 |
| M/LAT 39 | Place-Based Histories and Practices of Traditional Healing Systems in Mexico | 2-6 |
| NATAM 2 | Native American Indians in Contemporary Society | 3 |
| Total Major Units | 18 | |
| General Education Units | 21 | |
| Elective Courses to meet 60 units | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |