Ethnic Studies

Programs in Ethnic Studies are designed to help students study different cultures and societies of the world. These programs include the study of the history, politics, religion, languages, and culture of different areas. The aim of Ethnic Studies programs is to broaden the awareness and understanding of one or more ethnic groups and their contribution to American culture. Ethnic Studies programs are usually interdisciplinary: the historical, cultural, social, political, economic, psychological, and literary patterns and contributions of ethnic groups are studied.

For additional career possibilities, visit the Career Services Center on the main campus to utilize computerized career information systems and other valuable career resources.

Collapse

Programs Offered

Degrees and Certificates

Associate Degree

Ethnic Studies

Certificates of Achievement

Ethnic Studies

Associate Degree Requirements

An Associate degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) in degree applicable coursework and a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units, including:

Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
Completion of one of the following general education patterns: SMC GE, CSU GE, or IGETC;
Completion of the SMC Global Citizenship graduation requirement.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

A Certificate of Achievement is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) and a designated minimum number of units, including:

Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
Completion of at least 50% of area of emphasis units at Santa Monica College. Department Chairs have the discretion to waive the 50% minimum units required at SMC to meet the major or area of emphasis. All major coursework must be completed with a “C” or better grade.

Catalog Rights

Transfer Preparation

Many colleges/universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete the lower-division major requirements and the general education pattern for the specific transfer institution. SMC has articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as several private and out-of-state institutions.

Exact major requirements for UC and CSU campuses can be found online at assist.org.

A listing of private, nonprofit California colleges and universities can be found online at aiccu.edu. For articulation agreements between SMC and some of these institutions see smc.edu/articulation.

Environmental Science, Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate through oral and written work a familiarity with the social experiences and the contributions of various racial and ethnic groups to US society, and be prepared to pursue further study in an Ethnic Studies program (or related field of study) at the baccalaureate level. In addition, students will be proficient in the research, analytical, and communication skills necessary to present critical analysis regarding racial and ethnic group relations in the US.

Area of Emphasis: (24 units)

Required Core Courses; Select 3 courses from the following:

ENGL 10,Race and Ethnicity in Literature of the U.S.(3)

HIST 10,Ethnicity and American Culture(3)

POL SC 21,Race, Ethnicity, and the Politics of Difference (3)

SOCIOL 34,Racial and Ethnic Relations in American Society(3)

Arts: Select 1 of the following courses: (3 units)

AHIS 72,American Art History(3)

DANCE 2,Dance in American Culture(3)

MUSIC 33,Jazz in American Culture(3)

MUSIC 37,Music in American Culture(3)

Inter-Ethnic Studies: Select 1 of the following courses: (3 units)

ANTHRO 2,Cultural Anthropology(3)

COM ST 14,Oral Interpretation: Performing Literature Across Cultures(3)

PHILOS 20,Environmental Ethics (same as ENVRON 20)(3)

COM ST 37,Intercultural Communication(3)

FILM 7,American Cinema: Crossing Cultures(3)

GEOG 2,Introduction to Human GeographyIntroduction to Human Geography(3)

GEOG 14,Geography of California(3)

MEDIA 10,Media, Gender, and Race(3)

NUTR 7,Food and Culture in America(3)

SOCIOL 1,Introduction to Sociology(3)

SOCIOL 1s,Introduction to Sociology–Service Learning(3)

Intra-Ethnic Studies: Select 3 units from 2 different areas: (6 units)

Art:

AHIS 71,African American Art History(3)

English:

ENGL 34,Afro-American Literature (3)

ENGL 41,Introduction to Asian American Literature(3)

ENGL 53,Latino Literature in the United States(3)

ENGL 54,Native American Literature(3)

History:

HIST 16,African-American History(3)

HIST 41,Native-American History(3)

HIST 42,The Latina/o Experience in the United States(3)

HIST 43,Mexican-American History(3)

HIST 62,Asian-American History(3)

Sociology:

SOCIOL 30,African Americans in Contemporary Society(3)

SOCIOL 31,Latinas/os in Contemporary Society(3)

GEOG 3,Weather and Climate(3)

SOCIOL 32,Asian Americans in Contemporary Society(3)