Graduate Courses
ETST 200: History of Ideas in Ethnic Studies
Examines the foundational ideas critical for understanding the historical evolution of race and ethnic issues in the United States and within international relations. Prepares graduate students to conceptualize multidisciplinary and comparative ethnic studies research.
ETST 201: Sociocultural Theories in Ethnic Studies
Examines theoretical approaches to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. Assesses the relative strengths and weaknesses of key theoretical paradigms. Perspectives may include symbolic interaction, phenomenology, class analysis, sovereignty, literary criticism, feminism, psychoanalysis, racial formation, critical race theory, postmodernism, and global or transnational.
ETST 203: Research Methodologies in Ethnic Studies
Examines some of the foundational theories and methodologies employed in the field of ethnic studies. Provides basic knowledge in designing and implementing a research project utilizing multiple methodologies.
ETST 221: Race, Gender, Law and Equal Protection
Examines the interrelationships among law, race, gender, equal protection doctrine, and the state. Addresses contemporary theoretical challenges to concepts such as critical legal studies, critical race theory, "LatCrit," and feminist jurisprudence.
ETST 222: Intersectionalities (Pending)
Examines the theory of intersectionality in a transnational framework and historical perspective. Addresses problematics of social identity construction and the body. Considers analyses in relation to people of color and issues of race, sex, economic oppression, homophobia, transgender possibilities, ageism, militarization, nationalism, and globalization. Focuses on collective strategies of resistance and revolution.
ETST 223: Chicana/o Expressive Culture: Theory and Practice
Examines Chicana/o cultural studies theories while tracing the history of diverse communities and expressive cultures from Spanish colonial period through the turn of the twenty-first century. Assesses the role of popular culture in Mexican American life. Explores the Chicanas/os' impact upon the development of popular culture and academia in American society.
ETST 224: Race and State Violence
Engages critical social theories of race. Focuses on state-mediated technologies of power and domination. Emphasizes analyses of race, racism, and white supremacy that conceptualize their historical constitution of statecraft and nation-building processes.
ETST 225: Imperialism, Colonialism, Racism: Global Perspectives
Charts a critical interdisciplinary genealogy of imperialism, colonialism, and racism within the global context of capitalist modernity. Explores the characteristics of imperialism, colonialism, and racism, as well as their relation to each other and to nationalism, decolonization, and globalization. Addresses how these complex articulations have been theorized.
ETST 226: Cultural Politics and Production
Considers the discursive and expressive cultural forms produced by racialized subjects. Covers a range of literatures, music, dance, song, and performance forms; the works of individuals and collectives; and social movements.
ETST 244: Borders, Borderlands and Chicano/a Studies
Examines the borderlands as a site of social and political negotiation over space and within cultural studies. Topics include race, gender, activism, and culture.
ETST 245: Theories in Chicana/o Studies
Introduction to the historical development of theoretical paradigms and models in Chicana/o studies. Covers 1960s protest literature, critical race theory, Chicana feminist theory, "LatCrit," and cultural citizenship. Addresses critical evaluation and application of these paradigms in order to understand the experiences of Chicanas/os and other subordinated communities.
ETST 246: Chicano Historiography
Surveys approaches and genres in the field of Chicano history from classic works to "cutting edge" topics. Analyzes methods employed, as well as theoretical underpinnings.
ETST 247: Policy and Politics
Provides a current examination of the status of Chicana(o)/Latina(o) politics from both a grass roots and coercive state perspective. Examines divergent theoretical approaches within the contexts of liberal capitalism, pluralist versus elite theory, and identity politics.
ETST 255: Critical Issues in Asian American Studies
Examines and seeks to develop a critical appreciation of research literature on Asians in America and to develop alternative interpretations of the Asian American experience. Topics include Asian American history, economic, political, social, and psychological issues.
ETST 256: Critical Issues in Ethnic Studies
Examines contemporary issues facing Asian Pacific American communities. Students engage in active research in these communities.
ETST 289: Colloquium in Ethnic Studies
Lectures and discussions by students, faculty, and invited scholars on selected topics.
ETST 305: Ethnic Studies Proseminar on Professionalization
Covers a broad range of topics related to academic professionalization. Addresses issues pertaining to the dissertation, publishing, professional activity, and the process of getting tenure. Also covers issues related to teaching at the university level.