About Us

Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary to the study of cultures, languages, and historical and contemporary issues relating to African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicanos/as-Latinos/as and Native Americans. The program directs students to critically examine the cultural contributions made by these groups to world civilization and American society. Ethnic Studies challenges all students to analyze existing generalizations, theories and concepts about racial and ethnic groups in order to develop valid generalizations, concepts and theories.

The Ethnic Studies Department has been in existence for more than thirty years at California State University, Sacramento. The Department is comprised of four programs: Asian American Studies, Chicano Studies, Native American Studies and Pan African Studies. Ethnic Studies is a degree-granting interdisciplinary program offering course work in the study of the histories, cultures, languages and issues--past and present--which define and shape the ethnic group experience in the United States. The Department, in addition to its teaching mission, is also involved in research and community based projects.

Students are encouraged to become intellectually and programmatically involved in eliminating racial, ethnic and gender-based problems. Students are also encouraged to blend professional area studies with Ethnic Studies.

Ethnic Studies majors and minors enter careers and professions in both the public and private sectors. Majors and minors are employed in such occupations as urban specialists, labor relations specialists, teachers, counselors, criminal justice officers, community center directors, and family service agents. In addition, majors and minors serve in staff positions in the several government agencies in the Sacramento area. Program advising and other information can be obtained from the Ethnic Studies Department office.