Ethnic Studies explores and examines the factors that bear on the lives and experiences, both past and present, of ethnically diverse peoples. The Institute for Ethnic Studies is interdisciplinary and focuses on the experiences of individuals and groups who are of African, African American, Latinx, Latin American, Indigenous, and Asian American origin or descent both in the United States and elsewhere. The major, which is interdisciplinary, will be useful to all students, particularly those in the humanities, social sciences, business, engineering, and education, as well as students who plan to work in community organizing, human resources, politics, or law.
Within the Institute, a major or minor can be taken in Ethnic Studies (described below). Minors are also available in African Studies, African American Studies, Latinx Studies, Latin American Studies, and Indigenous Studies.