Ethnic and Multi-Cultural Studies

Graduate Programs

Description

Mission and Description

The Department of Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary program that is academically committed to promoting multicultural and ethnic knowledge, values, and skills, both within and outside the United States, and to preparing our students for effective functioning across the culturally diverse global community.  Starting Fall Semester, 2002, the Ethnic and Multi-Cultural Studies Program (EMCS) Master of Sciences degree has been offered to meet the professional needs of diverse students concerning scholarly academic work, the practical application of ethnic studies knowledge in their professions, and for personal growth. To date, it is a small department but growing majors and the only graduate program in ethnic and multicultural studies in the upper-Midwest. The graduate program provides students with multi-ethnic and cross-cultural knowledge, values and skills from American and global perspectives.

First, students gain factual knowledge by taking courses that focus on different ethnic, racial and cultural groups, as well as on discrimination, immigration, stereotypes, and other important issues related to diversity studies.  Second, they learn how to understand and appreciate the different values, practices, and beliefs members of each cultural or ethnic population subscribe to, as well as understanding the diversity within those populations.  Third, and most importantly, students in this program are expected to gain the following skills: 1) research skills, writing skills, and/or computer/statistical analysis skills; 2) human resource management and leadership skills; 3) counseling skills; and 4) cultural competency skills or cross-cultural training and diversity management skills.  There is a strong emphasis on gaining competency in applied skills because advocacy must have practical application as its foundations to be credible.

Majors

 Program Locations Total Credits
Ethnic and Multi Cultural Studies MS MS - Master of Science
  • Mankato
 33

Certificates

 Program Locations Total Credits
Cultural Diversity GC
  • Online
 18

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Admission requirements

  1. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
  2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
  3. At least 9 undergraduate credits in ethnic and cross-cultural areas. This requirement may be waived if the applicant can show relevant work (related to other social sciences) or other experiences that provide the necessary background to pursue graduate work in EMCS;
  4. Have knowledge of or skills in two languages (i.e., English plus preliminary level of another language i.e., six credits of undergraduate language courses), but this may be subject to arrangement and discussion between the applicant and the Department); and
  5. When students do not meet the normal admission requirements, they may be recommended for admission by the department subject to removal of deficiencies or other conditions.
  6. Students are considered full time if they take six (6) credits of graduate-level courses per semester.

Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Program Admission and Retention Requirements:

  1. The student must complete at 60 undergraduate credits before applying to a graduate program.
  2. Must have a minimum 3.00 overall  undergraduate GPA for admission to the program.
  3. A max of 12 credits at the 400/500-level may be double-counted toward both an undergraduate and graduate program.
  4. The graduate program advisor will authorize the double-counted courses for which a student may register.
  5. A student pays graduate tuition for a double-counted course.
  6. A student must be registered for a double-counted course in the same semester (e.g., no backdating of a 400-level to a 500-level is permitted),
  7. Must maintain a minimum 3.00 overall  undergraduate GPA to remain in the program.
     

Contact Information

Department of Ethnic Studies
109 Morris Hall
507-389-2798
507-389-6377 Fax
www.sbs.mnsu.edu/ethnic/

500 Level

Credits: 3

This course will examine issues confronted in a multicultural society. It will study ethnic/minority groups not usually included in mainstream society, including their uniqueness and harmonious co-existence with other ethnic groups.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course introduces concepts and methods of applying socio-cultural understanding to contemporary problems to bring about the empowerment of affected people. Case/field studies and other research methods in social sciences will be used to illustrate the impact and problems of culture change with special attention to its affect on disadvantaged groups of people. Students will also design their own applied projects.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This is a comprehensive course, which introduces students to qualitative, quantitative and evaluation social research methods. It provides students with hands-on experience of collecting and analyzing data, from any given diverse ethnic community through participant observation and needs assessment.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course examines the different forms of Chicana Feminisms produced by Chicana scholars and activists. It demonstrates how Chicana Feminisms challenge social inequalities, and focuses on the construction of Chicana identities regarding the intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality and culture.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The purpose of this course is to examine the challenges and opportunities of the new immigrants,refugees,families,and specifically their children,in the United States.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Students will examine the forces which create and maintain prejudice, discrimination, and racism. Special attention will be given to the work of Paulo Freire.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course examines contemporary topics in the lives of African Americans. These topics include but are not limited to: slavery, Reconstruction, Post-Reconstruction, Separate-But-Equal, Desegregation, and Resegregation.(S) Prerequisite: ETHN 500 or consent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course will provide multiple perspectives about the issues facing American Indian peoples today. Topics to be considered are education, health care, gender, land rights, religious freedom, cultural identity, natural resource management, law enforcement, economic development, self-determination, and mass media images.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Examination of current issues affecting the status of Asian Americans. The focus of this course will vary to reflect students' interests in the area of politics, education, economics, social and/or cultural dealing with Asian Americans.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Thematic examination of major issues surrounding Latino/Hispanic communities in the United States. Emphasis will be on education, labor, politics, social welfare, and migration.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course is concerned with racial/ethnic minorities who live in large urban (inner city) areas. It is especially concerned with the roles that culture and discrimination play in the shaping of America's ghettos, barrios, reservations, and Chinatowns.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Examines the effects of sexism and racism on women of color and provides an understanding of the significant contributions they have made in their struggles against oppression.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Survey of institutional sexism and racism including their impact on U.S. society. Special attention will be given to their interconnectedness.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course will take an interdisciplinary ethnic studies approach to examine the past, present and future implications of the African American civil rights movement on race relations in the United States.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The course examines racial and ethnic minorities and the mutual influences between these groups and the structures, procedures, and issues of U.S. politics. Major topics include: public opinion on racial issues, the representation of minorities in elective and appointive offices, and the nature of value conflicts underlying contemporary racial issues, including affirmative action, immigration, welfare, language policies, and Native American tribal issues.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course will examine different definitions of family through time in the U.S.. It will focus on changes in the African-, Native-, Hispanic/Latino-, and Asian-American families. It will also compare and contrast differences and similarities among ethnic minority families as well as between them and white ethnic families.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Multiple perspectives on the selected topic(s) will be addressed. Student scholars may contribute to the selection and/or refinement of the topic(s).

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Students assist a faculty member in teaching an Ethnic Studies 100 or 101.

Prerequisites: none

600 Level

Credits: 3

This course focuses on ethnic/cross-cultural field development, professional ethics/values, skills comportment and practice, including such guidelines as preparations for resumes and curriculum vitaes, research proposals, formal (oral) presentation, grant proposals, thesis plans, articles and books.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The purpose of this seminar is to examine the origins, manifestations, and consequences of oppression on the life experiences of people at the individual, institutional and sociocultural levels in contemporary society.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course examines the writings of various authors to gain a theoretical perspective of such issues as racism, sexism and oppression, and how these authors have formulated a plan for change in the U.S. and in the world.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This examines the relevant issues surrounding environmental justice, with a particular emphasis on political ecology, resource colonialism, environmental racism, applied ethnic studies, and local environmental movements and minority advocacy and focuses on professional application and advocacy through practice.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Scholars preparing for and/or working in the helping professions or related careers will address the issues and experiences of culturally different persons. Special attention will be given to preparation for effective cross-cultural interactions.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course is designed for those students or professionals who prepare for and/or work in the diverse organizations/institutions, corporations, communities in and outside America. Theories, techniques and skills for cross-cultural training/consultation and diversity management are covered.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Specialized independent study and research.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Graduate scholars will address the meaning and significance of US race and ethnicity within global perspectives. Special attention will be given to the writings of scholars of color.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-10

Supervised experience to which the theories and methodologies of ethnic studies can be applied. Opportunities may be on-campus and/or off-campus, including work in other countries.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-2

Concluding research project. May largely use secondary sources. (F,S)

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3-6

Concluding research project. Requires toward original research. (F,S)

Prerequisites: none