Ethnic Studies

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu/.

Overview

The Ethnic Studies Graduate Group doctoral program focuses on the historical and sociocultural study of the core groups racialized in United States history: African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicanos and Latinos, and Native Americans. Transdisciplinary in approach, the program encourages students to adopt a broad range of theories and methods to analyze the construction of these racialized ethnocultural groups in relation to each other in the EuroAmerican context and in a transnational context.

As a graduate group program, courses are taught and students are advised by faculty not only from the Department of Ethnic Studies but also from other departments on campus. The core faculty consists of faculty from the Department of Ethnic Studies (composed of Asian American Studies, Chicano and Latino Studies, and Native American Studies) and the Department of African American Studies. The affiliated faculty is composed of faculty from other departments on campus whose expertise and research interests address the concerns of comparative ethnic studies and who have expressed a special interest in working with graduate students in ethnic studies. Both core and affiliated faculty may teach courses and sit on the examination and dissertation committees of students in the Ethnic Studies Graduate Group doctoral program.

Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate major and minor in Ethnic Studies are offered by the Department of Ethnic Studies. The Department also offers specialized majors and minors in Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies , Chicano/Latino Studies , and Native American Studies .

Graduate Program

Ethnic Studies : PhD

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Courses

Ethnic Studies

ETH GRP 200 Critical Terms and Issues in Comparative Ethnic Studies 4 Units

Introduction to the field examining the critical practices and salient terms and issues in the study of contemporary cultural and social formations. The focus is interdisciplinary.

ETH GRP 201 History and Narrativity: Contemporary Theories and Methods 4 Units

The course examines critical theories and methods in the production of historical narratives, social myths, and ideologies dealing with racialization and ethnicity. Special attention is given to employment strategies, tropes, and allegorical forms in the construction of historical events and narratives.

ETH GRP 202 Cultural Texts: Contemporary Theories and Methods 4 Units

The course examines critical theories and methods in the production of cultural knowledge in the humanities. Special attention is given to transdisciplinary articulation with theories and methods in the social sciences.

ETH GRP 203 Social Structures: Contemporary Theories and Methods 4 Units

The course examines critical theories and methods in the production of knowledge relevant to social, political, economic, and institutional structures. Special attention is given to transdisciplinary articulation with theories and methods in the humanities.

ETH GRP 230 Series in Transdisciplinary Comparative Theories and Methods 4 Units

Research seminar focus is on critical history and practices across disciplines.

ETH GRP 240 Series in Comparative Transnational Theories and Methods 4 Units

Research seminar focus is on critical theories and practices in transnational comparative frameworks.

ETH GRP 250 Research Seminar: Selected Issues and Topics 4 Units

A seminar course designed to involve Ethnic Studies students directly in the research process. Emphasis on examination and analysis of primary sources, methodology, and the development of theoretical constructs. A major research paper is required.

ETH GRP 296 Directed Dissertation Research 4 - 12 Units

For qualified students directly working on the doctoral dissertation.

ETH GRP 299 Directed Reading 2 - 4 Units

A term paper is required.

ETH GRP 302 Professional Orientation 2 Units

This seminar is intended to instruct new graduate students in the behavior of professional academics including research, teaching, and academic ethics.

ETH GRP 303 Professional Writing 2 Units

This course trains graduate students in writing for professional purposes, such as preparing conference presentations, articles for publication in journals, applications for funding, prequalifying exam position papers, dissertation prospectuses, dissertation chapters, book prospectuses, job applications, etc. Students bring in drafts of their writing for intensive critique by the instructor and fellow students.

ETH GRP C375 Critical Pedagogy: Instructor Training 4 Units

The seminar provides a systemic approach to theories and practices of critical pedagogy at the university level. Examines the arts of teaching and learning and current disciplinary and cross-disciplinary issues in African/diaspora and Ethnic Studies. Participation two hours per week as practicum in 39, "Introduction to the University: African American Perspectives" is mandatory. The course is required for students expecting to serve as graduate student instructors in the department.

ETH GRP 601 Individual Study for Master's Students 4 Units

Individual study, in consultation with Group faculty, to prepare students for master's examinations.

ETH GRP 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 2 - 8 Units

Individual study, in consultation with Group faculty, to prepare students for the doctoral oral examinations. A student will be permitted to accumulate a maximum of 16 units in 601 and 602, respectively, toward examination preparation. Units earned in these courses may not be used to meet academic residence or unit requirements for the master's or doctoral degree.

Contact Information

Ethnic Studies Graduate Group

506 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-643-0796

Fax: 510-642-6456

ethnicst@berkeley.edu

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Department Chair

Catherine Ceniza Choy, PhD

526 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-642-8002

ceniza@berkeley.edu

Director of Graduate Studies

Shari Huhndorf, PhD

574 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-643-5000

huhndorf@berkeley.edu

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