Department of Ethnic Studies

Mary Roaf, Ph.D., Chair

Associate Professors: Bañales, Roaf, Sandoval
Assistant Professors: Caporale, Motes, Tefera, Van

Office: Bizzini Hall 123
Phone: (209) 667-3127
 

Ethnic Studies at Stanislaus State is a transdisciplinary department that applies critical, intersectional, and decolonial approaches to the study of racism, racialization, and sovereignty. The department centers the histories, contemporary experiences, and cultural expressions of Native American/Indigenous peoples, Black/African Americans, Chicano/a/xs-Latino/a/xs, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders within a regional, national, and/or global context. Integrating scholarship, art, and community engagement, the Ethnic Studies curriculum and pedagogy equip students with the analytical skills to examine racial privilege and oppression in relation to intersecting axes of power, including class, gender, sexuality, and legal status.

The major provides students with a critical understanding of complex topics, such as colonialism, imperialism, structural inequities, social movements, and liberation, fostering both personal and collective transformation. A degree in Ethnic Studies prepares students for careers in education, business, law, healthcare, social services, community organizations, and the arts. Committed to teaching and mentoring diverse students, Ethnic Studies faculty produce innovative and creative scholarship while actively working toward social change.

Programs

• Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies  
• Minor in Ethnic Studies  
• Liberal Studies degree concentration in Ethnic Studies and Social Justice   
• Social Sciences degree concentration in Ethnic Studies  
• Ethnic Studies Professional Certificate  

Program Learning Outcomes

Ethnic Studies majors will:

1. Examine the field of Ethnic Studies, including foundational principles, key concepts, theories, pedagogies, and methodologies.
2. Describe the histories, experiences, and cultural expressions of marginalized racial and ethnic groups in the United States from regional, national, and/or global perspectives.
3. Engage and participate in community activities that highlight the knowledge, culture, and/or contributions of marginalized populations.
4. Create original projects that advance social awareness and equity through intellectual inquiry, creative expression, and/or collaborative approaches.