TO: Beth Dobkin, Provost

FROM: Hisham Ahmed, ChairAcademic Senate

DATE: April 11, 2016

RE: Senate Action S-15/16-59CAProposal for an Ethnic Studies Major

At the April 6, 2016 meeting of the Academic Senate, the attached Proposal for an Ethnic Studies Major was approved on the Consent Agenda.

The proposal was submitted to the Academic Senate from the Undergraduate Educational Policies Committee, where it was approved by a vote of 8-0 with one abstention at the April 4, 2016 meeting.

This action was assigned Senate Action #S-15/16-59CA.

Attachment

cc: President James A. Donahue Dean Sheila Hassell Hughes

Ethnic Studies Major Proposal

February 2016

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The need for an Ethnic Studies Major Program at Saint Mary’s College of California

Presently, the increased racial diversity in the United States is reflected in the landscape of this country’s colleges and universities. For example, according to the Office of Vice Provost for Enrollment and Communication, 52% of the 2015 freshman class at Saint Mary’s College identifies as students of color. The change in student demographics on college and university campuses has led to a change in curriculum as well. For over thirty years, institutions of higher learning have transformed their curriculum to represent the contributions of a pluralistic society. At the forefront of the curriculum transformation are Ethnic Studies programs.

Therefore, since a significant percentage of all K-12 public school students in the state of California are African American, Latino, Native American, or Asian Pacific Islander (and SMC accepting ever increasing amounts of undergraduate students from these ethnic groups) it is necessary to provide a component of the undergraduate curriculum that actively engages the experiences of these populations, not only for the students who are members of these groups, but for all students who are part of the SMC community. This is particularly important, given the “regionality” of our student population and the need for students to understand and develop cultural competency, both while at SMC and beyond. Additionally, these programs have long- term benefits on the students who take their classes: for example, these students are more likely to be motivated, to engage intellectually, and participate meaningfully in society (See Appendix I).

Our desire to create an Ethnic Studies Major Program stems from multiple factors:

Since 2009 we have offered an ES Minor Program and increased our numbers steadily, we have averaged between 15-20 minors and currently we have 15. Over the years several students have shown high interest in creating individualized majors in ES. Since the appointment of a full-time faculty member, the possibility of creating this type of major in ES has been more feasible. At the present time we have two students who have proposed individualized programs (Brenda Martinez, class of 2014 and Zoe Loos, class of 2017) and we foresee others coming forward in the near future. Noteworthy is the popularity of ES 01: Introduction of Ethnic Studies. Over the years we have averaged 25 students enrolled in this course. To keep up with student demand for ES 01 we now offer three sections (originally only 2 sections were offered) and during the 2015-16 academic year we will offer 4 sections.

he major program would support the strategic plan by building infrastructure to support the college’s Hispanic Service Institution status (course contents, events, interdisciplinary collaboration, etc.).

Many of our peer institutions in particular, Loyola Marymount University, Santa Clara University, University of San Diego, and University of San Francisco, currently have Ethnic Studies or related major programs and it behooves us keep abreast in order to be competitive with these institutions; especially since in California AB101 is proposing to make Ethnic Studies a requirement for high school graduation. In fact, San Francisco Unified School District already has this requirement in place. Therefore, a major program in ES would make SMC more attractive to Bay Area students.

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An Ethnic Studies Major would move us forward in addressing educational issues related to multiculturalism and education for a global society and continue to bring us into alignment with the critiques expressed by the 2005 WASC report: Saint Mary’s has a long way to go in achieving a basic level of multiculturalism in its function and effectiveness in educating world citizens who have a healthy respect for others—one of the core values of the Lasallian tradition. Such dissonance appears to be inherent in Saint Mary's “benevolent” model of diversity wherein there is care for the “other” without a transformative relationship with the other person(s). The “other” is never seen as a contributor to his/her benefactor and, therefore, is not embraced as essential or even a valuable part of the benefactor's existence and self- understanding. Persons of color and the economically disadvantaged seem to be Saint Mary's “other.” While the institution’s stated commitment to the poor and disadvantaged is highly commendable, part of its challenge in the future will be to redefine its mission in a way that it true to its Catholic heritage while taking advantage of the contemporary understanding and models of diversity and justice.

The Ethnic Studies Major Program-Catalog Description

Our mission at Saint Mary's College is to create a student-centered educational community whose members support one another with mutual understanding and respect. Implicit in our mission is a goal of increasing import to colleges and universities across the country, and that is to prepare students for leadership in a diverse democracy. Being prepared for a diverse democracy requires being literate in the intricate patterns that make up our shared history and a program on Ethnic Studies is a key source for that preparation.

Ethnic Studies is a multidisciplinary program that focuses on the United States with particular attention paid to the major underrepresented minority groups: African American, Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander and Native American. It addresses issues of social justice, discrimination, immigration and globalization as well as the contributions that each ethnic group has made to American society. The Ethnic Studies major complements the College’s commitment to social justice and to fostering a diverse community respectful and appreciative of cultural difference.

The educational goals of the Ethnic Studies Program include:

• exploring the cultural and social histories of African American, Latino, Native American and Asian American/ Pacific Islander ethnic groups.

• integrating Catholic social justice teaching, the Lasallian core values, and service based learning in service of these historically underrepresented groups.

• critically examining United States racial and ethnic diversities and their interrelatedness to other international socio-historic systems.

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Upon completion of the Ethnic Studies major, students will be able to:

Describe the history and social theories relevant to a critical understanding of African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian American/Pacific Islander ethnic groups;

Employ theoretical and analytical frameworks to understand an increasingly complex, multicultural and interdependent world;

Identify the social, historical, economic, and religious factors that have affected and continue to affect ethnic groups in the U.S.;

Exhibit critical thinking about issues of social injustice and the common good, and strategies for working towards social justice.

Ethnic Studies Major Requirements

The major will consist of eleven (11) courses total; two (2) lower division and nine (9) upper division.

(Core Curriculum designations are noted where appropriate.)

Lower Division CoreEthnic Studies 01: Introduction to Ethnic Studies [AD, TCG]This course introduces students to the theories and concepts in the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. Specific emphasis will be placed on the ethnic group experiences of African Americans, Latinos, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans.

Ethnic Studies 50: Creating Community [AD, TCG]This course is designed to introduce students to issues of social justice, while also preparing students to engage in informed and meaningful dialogue in situations where such understanding and listening are needed. Through individual and group work, students explore intergroup relations, conflict, and community building.

Upper Division CoreEthnic Studies 101: Critical Race TheoryThis course engages critical race theory as an explanatory critical framework, method and pedagogy for analyzing race and racism in the U.S. and that works toward identifying and challenging racism within institutional contexts.

Methods Course (Choose one from the following list. Others courses may be taken with the approval of the ES Director)ES 111: Qualitative Methods (Cross listed with Communication)ES 132: Sociological Research Methods (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 105: Modern Approaches to History (Cross listed with History)

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Capstone CourseEthnic Studies 196: The course entails independent study, research and/or creative work in the area of Ethnic Studies. Students are encouraged to explore a question/issue that will represent the culmination of their undergraduate experience and address the learning outcomes of the major.The parameters for the project will be set by the student and her/his instructor, but should entail regular meetings throughout the semester and a term project. (Cross listed with WaGS and GRS)

Six Upper Division ElectivesStudents will take two (2) courses from each of the following categories: Ethnic Groups and Identity; Arts and Literature; and Socioeconomics and Inequality

Ethnic Groups and Identity: This area includes courses that address the role ethnicity plays in one’s individual, social, and political experiences and identity. The courses listed below are representative of courses that address some of the above particularities. Other courses accepted with approval by Director.

ES 110: Youth Cultures, Identities and New Ethnicities ES 106: Intercultural Communication [AD, SHCU] (Cross listed with Communication) ES 111 Sociology of Families (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 116 New Immigrants & Refugees (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 123: Ethnic Groups in the United States (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 125 Gender & Society (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 135 Transnational Social Movements (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 135 Ethnic Identity (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 133: Special Topics in Hispanic Cultural Studies (Cross listed with Modern

Languages) ES 017: History of the United States to the Civil War (Cross listed with History) ES 018: History of the United States since Reconstruction (Cross listed with History) ES 133: Era of the Civil War and Reconstruction (Cross listed with History) ES 136: Immigration and Ethnic Relations in American History (Cross listed with History) ES 139: History of Women in America [SHCU] (Cross listed with History) ES 140: African-American History: 1619-1865 [AD, SHCU] (Cross listed with History) ES 141: African-American History: 1865 to the Present [AD, SHCU] (Cross listed with History) ES 142: History of California [AD, SHCU] (Cross listed with History) ES 154: Latin America, the United States, and the Drug Trade (Cross listed with History) ES 131: Colonial History of the United States (Cross listed with History) ES 132: The American Revolution and the Early Republic (Cross listed with History) ES 134: Recent History of the United States (Cross listed with History) ES 170: Topics in African History (Cross listed with History) ES 003 American Politics (Cross listed with Politics)

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ES 101 Latino & Asian Politics in CA (Cross listed with Politics) ES 109 Topics in American Politics (ES 109) (Cross listed with Politics) ES 110: Politics and Race [AD, CE, TCG] (Cross listed with Politics) ES 140 Gender Politics (Cross listed with Politics) ES 149 Politics of Immigration (Cross listed with Politics) Psychology 165: Cross Cultural Psychology [AD, CE] (Cross listed with Psychology)

In addition, new courses are approved on a term-to-term basis.

Arts and Literature: Within Ethnic Studies, the role of Arts and Literature is not only to reflect the social reality of ethnic experiences in the United States, but also to shape and transform that reality. Students will examine competing notions of identity and community that emerge in the literary and artistic expressions of U.S. writers and artists of color. The courses listed below are representative of courses that address some of the above particularities. Other courses accepted with approval by Director.

ES 150: Chicano/Chicana Literature (Cross listed with Modern Languages) ES 135 The Sociology of Film (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 023: Voices of American Diversity (Cross listed with English) ES 150: American Lit. Before 1800 (Cross listed with English) ES 151: American Lit. 1800-1900 (Cross listed with English) ES 152: 20th Century American Lit. (Cross listed with English) ES 153: Ethnic American Literature and Oral Traditions (often taught as Latino Literature) [AA, AD] (Cross listed with English) ES 154: African American Literature [AA, AD] (Cross listed with English) ES 184: Contemporary Drama (Cross listed with English) ES 170: Problems in Literary Theory (Cross listed with English) ES 050: Theatre for Social Justice: Interactive Theatre (Cross listed with Performing

Arts) ES 061: World Theatre Experience (Cross listed with Performing Arts) ES 161: Theatre and American Cultures (Multicultural Performance) (Cross listed

with Performing Arts) Seminar 144: Multicultural Thought

In addition, new courses are approved on a term-to-term basis.

Socioeconomics and Inequality: This area includes courses that address the relationship between race and ethnicity and economic, political, and social inequalities in contemporary society. The courses listed below are representative of courses that address some of the above particularities. Other courses accepted with approval by Director.

ES 131: Cultural Geography (Cross listed with Anthropology) ES 161: Communication and Social Justice [CE, TCG] (Cross listed with

Communication) ES 004 Social Problems (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 112 Race & Ethnicity (Cross listed with Sociology)

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ES 115 Wealth & Poverty (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 120: Social Movements and Social Change (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 122 Education and Society (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 124 Justice & Community (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 135: Marginalized Groups (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 135 Prison Voices (Cross listed with Sociology) ES 106 Politics of Labor (Cross listed with Politics) ES 115: Theories of Justice [TCG] (Cross listed with Politics) ES 125 Human Rights (Cross listed with Politics) ES 126 Food Politics (Cross listed with Politics) ES 127 Field Work for Food Politics (Cross listed with Politics) ES 190 Social Justice Speakers Series (.25) (Cross listed with Politics) ES 166: Spirituality in Practice [AD, TE] (Cross listed with TRS) ES 171: Gender and Religions in America [AD, TE] (Cross listed with TRS) Psychology 163: Prejudice and Stereotypes [AD]

In addition, new courses are approved on a term-to-term basis.

Employment opportunities for Ethnic Studies majors

Not only does the Ethnic Studies complement most major programs of study offered at Saint Mary’s College in ways that enhance possibilities of employment and success in the their respective fields, but an Ethnic Studies diploma alone will also lead to many job opportunities in many sectors of our society, especially in such culturally diverse places as California. Graduates with an Ethnic Studies major can look forward to jobs in education, counseling, social work, business, and government agencies, among others. Anywhere where a solid knowledge and understanding of the cultural diversity—its socio-political, economic and historical impact—of the United States is needed to perform a job optimally (See Appendix II).

Cost to the college:

Implementing this program will have a minimal cost to the college since it is interdisciplinary and draws courses that are already offered in departments across campus.

The governing structure of the program would be as follows: Program DirectorOne full-time faculty (David Quijada) Governing Board

Current Members of the Ethnic Studies Governing Board:

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• Alvaro Ramirez (Modern Languages) Director of Ethnic Studies• Shawny Anderson (Communication; JCL) Administration Representative• Emily Klein (English)• Marie Pagliarini (Theology & Religious Studies)• Caitlin Powell (Psychology)• David Quijada (Ethnic Studies)• Scott Schönfeldt-Aultman (Communication)• Ynez Wilson Hirst (Sociology)

Support:

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From: Hisham H. Ahmed, Chair Politics Department

To: UEPC

Date: February 2, 2016

Re: Support for an Ethnic Studies Major

As Chair of Politics, I believe a major in Ethnic Studies will provide students at Saint Mary’s College with an important opportunity to specialize in a field which is gaining momentum more and more in many institutions of higher education. Therefore, the Politics Department gladly lends its support to the proposal for a major in Ethnic Studies. As is evident in the list below, we have cross-listed courses before between the Ethnic Studies program and Politics and we plan to continue to do so in the future.

POL 003 American Politics (ES 003)POL 101 Latino & Asian Politics in CA (ES 101) POL 106 Politics of Labor (ES 106)POL 109 Topics in American Politics (ES 109) POL 110 Politics of Race (ES 110)POL 115 Theories of Justice (ES 115) POL 125 Human Rights (ES 125)POL 126 Food Politics (ES 126)POL 127 Field Work for Food Politics (ES 127) POL 140 Gender Politics (ES 140)POL 149 Politics of Immigration (ES 149)POL 190 Social Justice Speakers Series (.25) (ES 190)

Support for Ethnic Studies Inbox x

Jennifer Heung <jheung@stmarys-ca.edu> 11/22/15

to me

Alvaro,

The Anthropology department is happy to support the Ethnic Studies program's efforts in proposing a major. Courses in Anthropology have been cross-listed in the past, such as Anth 131: Cultural Geography and Global Societies, Anth 112:Global Perspectives

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on Race, and Anth 121 World Cultures (when it is focused on the US). These courses are a part of our regular rotation of classes.

We wish you well in this proposal and look forward to supporting the major. Best,

November 20, 2015

To: Alvaro Ramirez, Director Ethnic Studies Program

From: Molly Metherd, Chair English Department

RE: Ethnic Studies Major

I am writing to express the enthusiastic support of the English Department for a new major in Ethnic Studies. The Department has discussed the proposed Ethnic Studies major, and we have no concerns. We have regularly cross listed courses with Ethnic Studies such as

ENG 023: Voices of American Diversity (ES 023) ENG 150: American Lit. Before 1800 (ES 150)ENG 151: American Lit. 1800-1900 (ES 151)ENG 152: 20th Century American Lit. (ES 152)ENG 153: Ethnic American Literature and Oral Traditions (often taught as Latino Literature) (ES 153)ENG 154: African American Literature (ES 154) ENG 170: Problems in Literary Theory (ES 170) ENG 184: Contemporary Drama (ES 184)

We are committed to offering a diverse curriculum, teach one of these courses every semester and welcome Ethnic Studies students. Furthermore, we are open to working with the Ethnic Studies Program to develop more cross listed courses in the future.

From: History DepartmentTo: UEPC, Ethnic Studies Program Date: November 14, 2015Re: Support for an Ethnic Studies Major

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The History Department supports unequivocally the addition of an Ethnic Studies Major to our college curriculum. Our department prides itself in taking a global and inclusive approach to our course of study and in that spirit has been contributing cross-listed courses to the Ethnic Studies Minor since it was first instituted, under the auspices of the department of Anthropology and Sociology. As that department grew into two separate programs and Ethnic Studies itself became an independent minor, the History department continued to be a stalwart supporter and cheerleader. As the program develops into a Major, the History department wants to inform the UEPC and, through it, the College community that we are committed to the success of the program.

The most important way in which History will continue to work for such success is through the offering of courses that can be cross-listed with Ethnic Studies. At this point, the courses that we offer regularly in Ethnic Studies are:

History 17: History of the United States to the Civil War History 18: History of the United States since Reconstruction History 133: Era of the Civil War and ReconstructionHistory 136: Immigration and Ethnic Relations in American History History 139: History of Women in AmericaHistory 140: African-American History: 1619-1865History 141: African-American History: 1865 to the Present History 142: History of CaliforniaHistory 154: Latin America, the United States, and the Drug Trade

In addition, we have some courses that we teach more sporadically, but which are also cross-listed with Ethnic Studies:

History 131: Colonial History of the United StatesHistory 132: The American Revolution and the Early Republic History 134: Recent History of the United StatesHistory 170: Topics in African History

As you can see from the large number of courses, the History Department is committed to inclusion in its own curriculum and we like to see ourselves as one of the anchor disciplines for Ethnic Studies.

As Ethnic Studies grows, the second way in which History commits itself to the program is in the area of co-curricular activities. It is not unusual for History to organize events that are cross-listed with Ethnic Studies and vice-versa. We would anticipate working even closer to bring programming to campus of joint interest as Ethnic Studies becomes a full-fledge major. We look forward to that opportunity, in fact.

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Lastly, the History department feels strongly that an Ethnic Studies major is important on our campus. As many larger and public schools have retreated from such multi-disciplinary programs due to monetary concerns and political pressures, the History department believes that Saint Mary’s is in a good position to buck the trend and demonstrate that Ethnic Studies is more relevant than ever. The changing face of the population in California demands attention to issues pertaining to populations of color, and to matters of ethnicity, race, and whiteness. In some small way, Saint Mary’s can fill in that gap and demonstrate that our collective commitment to inclusion is not a fad but a mission.

Respectfully,Myrna SantiagoMyrna SantiagoChair, History Deparment

From: Dan Leopard, Chair, Communication To: UEPCDate: February 3, 2016

Re: Support for an Ethnic Studies MajorThe Communication Department strongly supports approval of a new major in Ethnic Studies.We have cross listed the courses indicated below for the past several years with the EthnicStudies Program and intend to do so in the future. Any additional curricular or collaborativesupport that our department can lend the Ethnic Studies major will also be forthcoming. COMM 106: Intercultural Communications (ES 106)COMM 161: Communications & Social Justice (ES 161)COMM 163: Seminar in Special Topics: Drag: Everyday Kings & Queens (ES

----------From: Denise Witzig <dwitzig@stmarys-ca.edu> Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2015 at 12:30 PMTo: Sheila Hughes <smh21@stmarys-ca.edu>, Alvaro Ramirez <aramirez@stmarys-ca.edu>

Dear Sheila --

Women's and Gender Studies fully supports a major in Ethnic Studies. Since its inception, the Ethnic Studies program has been a solid partner to WaGS, cross-listing a wide variety of

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courses, advising WaGS students looking to develop programs of study in ES, co-sponsoring events, workshops and programs across campus addressing key issues in intersectional scholarship and community action. ES faculty and directors have served on the WaGS advisory board and offered crucial support for the WaGS mission and our curriculum development, participating in program reviews, assessment and planning retreats. We have shared the Lasallian goals of social justice at the College and the greater community.

Since 2009 when @25 faculty and administrators attended a workshop on developing the Ethnic Studies program, in fact for years preceding this event, many of us have looked forward to the imminent and necessary arrival of a full major in ES. Clearly, that time is now.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any further questions regarding WaGS support of ES.

many thanks,Denise Witzig, Director Women's and Gender Studies

From: Zach Flanagin <dflanagi@stmarys-ca.edu> Date: Mon, Dec 7, 2015 at 8:16 AMTo: Sheila Hughes <smh21@stmarys-ca.edu>

Hi Sheila,

My apologies that this is late. Life has been busy. TRS cross-lists a number of classes with Ethnic Studies. We are in support of their proposals.

Best,

Zach Flanagin, Ph.D. Professor and ChairDepartment of Theology & Religious Studies Saint Mary's College of California dflanagi@stmarys-ca.edu

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