Westmont Magazine Westmont Revitalizes Its Ethnic Studies Minor

Westmont’s ethnic studies minor, which enables students to examine the cultural, historical, political and social dimensions of a variety of racial and ethnic groups, has been revitalized. During the past academic year, several professors reviewed the former curriculum and developed a new portfolio of courses to be launched in fall 2020. A new introductory seminar will be part of the revised program.

The minor equips students to engage and lead faithfully in our diverse world. It explores issues of race, equity and ethnicity within the context of Christian understandings of human flourishing. “I’m very pleased this has been such a collaborative endeavor by faculty from many departments,” says Provost Mark Sargent. “Reshaping the minor has been a joint effort by some of our veteran faculty and several of our younger scholars. I believe the minor will appeal to many students who are interested in probing questions of race, history, culture and justice.”

Westmont’s Academic Senate approved the minor after working with a faculty task force on the final refinements to the proposal. The curriculum draws on classes in anthropology, education, English, history, psychology, religious studies, sociology and theater. Other departments—such as political science and biology—are considering contributing courses to the elective options. Dinora Cardoso (Spanish) and Meredith Whitnah (sociology) led a group of professors who developed a proposal for the minor, and they will serve as advisers during its first year.  

Sample Courses

Required Courses: 8 units

ETN 010 Introduction to Ethnic Studies (4)
SOC 189 Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (4)

Electives: 16 units

AN 115 Peoples & Cultures (4)
COM 138 International Rhetoric (4)
ED 105 Perspectives on Cultural Diversity and Education (4)
ENG 130 Early American Literature: Memory, Narrative, and History (4)
ENG 134 Ethnicity and Race in American Literature (4)
ETN 196 Ethnic Studies Research Seminar (4)
HIS 175 Recent America (4)
HIS 178 California Experience (4)
PSY 132 Cultural Psychology (4)
RS 159 Missiology (4)
TA 140 Gender & Ethnicity on the American Stage (4)