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Ethnic Studies Major Requirements

To receive a B.A. degree with a major in Ethnic Studies, students must meet the following requirements: 

The major code for Ethnic Studies is ETHN-BA-001 (formerly ET25).

 

Lower-Division Requirements

Ethnic Studies offers several lower-division courses featuring an intensive introduction to issues of race and power that can be used toward earning a B.A, in Ethnic Studies, a mimor or for college and university GEs.

An undergraduate student earning a major in Ethnic Studies needs to select any two (2) of the courses listed below.

An undergraduate student earning a minor in Ethnic Studies has the option to two (2) of the courses listed below. For other option for an Ethnic Studies minor contact EthnicStudies@ucsd.edu. 

Please note, ETHN-001/-001R, ETHN-002/-002R, ETHN-003/-003R and ETHN-020/-020R are a pair of the same courses but offered in different modalities. A student may select only one version of each courses for credit (ETHN-001/-001R, ETHN-002/-002R, ETHN-003/-003R and ETHN-020/-020):

  • ETHN-001.  Introduction to Ethnic Studies: Land and Labor
  • ETHN-002.  Introduction to Ethnic Studies: Circulations of Difference 
  • ETHN-003.  Introduction to Ethnic Studies: Making Culture
  • ETHN-001R. Remote—Introduction to Ethnic Studies: Land and Labor
  • ETHN-002R. Remote—Introduction to Ethnic Studies: Circulations of Difference 
  • ETHN-003R. Remote—Introduction to Ethnic Studies: Making Culture
  • ETHN-020. Introduction to Asian American Studies
  • ETHN-020R. Remote—Introduction to Asian American Studies 
  • ETHN-030. Introduction to Chicanx & Latinx Studies

 

Foundational Core Sequence

Complete all three courses in the ETHN-100A, ETHN-100B, ETHN-100C series. This three-part sequence on theories, methodologies, and praxis is required for an Ethnic Studies major. The core sequence consists of the following courses:

  • ETHN-100A. Theoretical Approaches— an advanced survey of key issues, themes, and debates in the field of critical ethnic studies. ETHN 100A is only offered in the Fall Quarter of each academic year.
  • ETHN-100B. Interdisciplinary Methodologies— an introduction to interdisciplinary research methodologies in critical ethnic studies. ETHN 100B is only offered in the Winter Quarter of each academic year.
  • ETHN-100C. Social Justice Praxis— A capstone experience for Ethnic Studies majors, this course combines an advanced exploration of praxis-based approaches to social justice with independent campus, community, creative, or research practicum-based projects. ETHN 100C is only offered in the Spring Quarter of each academic year.

The foundation core sequence should be taken in order; however, the three courses need not be taken in the same academic year. 

  • The prerequisite of ETHN-100A is previously completing 4 to 5 upper-division ETHN courses.
  • The prerequisite of ETHN-100A is strictly enforced for authorization into ETHN-100B.
  • The prerequisite of ETHN-100B is strictly enforced for authorization into ETHN-100C.

Upper-Division Electives

Students earning an Ethnic Studies B.A. must complete ten upper-division Ethnic Studies electives from those listed below. Please see current schedule for a tentitive and quarterly course offerings. Some courses outside of the major can be petitioned, but only three petitions via the Student Petition Process are appliable toward an Ethnic Studies B.A.

Select any 10 (ten) upper-divisionc courses from the ETHN Courses list.

 How-to-Earn-a-BA-in-Ethnic-Studies

For an example of a preliminary plan for this major visit UCSD Plan: http://plans.ucsd.edu/

It is however, very important you meet with the Mónica at EthnicStudies@ucsd.edu to discuss your academic objectives and make a detailed plan.

Pass/No Pass (P/NP) Grade Option for Spring 2020 Courses ONLY 

Typically, except for independent study course electives (ETHN 197, 198, or 199) which are always taken with a Pass/Not Pass grade option, undergraduate students majoring in Ethnic Studies may take up to two courses, and students minoring in Ethnic Studies may take up to one course with a Pass/Not Pass option.
For Spring Quarter 2020 Ethnic Studies is waiving this limit and any courses taken P/NP during this period will not count toward the above limits for majors or minors. In addition, UC San Diego has deemed that any course taken P/NP in Spring 2020 will not count towards the 25% cap on P/NP courses for the Bachelor’s degree. Students must still select the P/NP option via WebReg and may change their selection of P/NP or Letter Grade through the end of Week 10 (6/5/2020).
To view the official 2019-2020 deadline dates visit this UC San Diego webpage

Student Petition Form for non-ETHN Courses

Courses from other departments, programs, or colleges can be petitioned. Please review and carefully complete the Student Petition Process. Petitions require a course syllabus via email to EthnicStudies@ucsd.edu if you have questions.  Review may take 6 to 10 weeks.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) Grade Option for Spring 2020 Courses ONLY 

 For Spring Quarter 2020 graduate students in the Ethnic Studies Ph.D. program may select to take their courses with the S/U grading option instead of the standard Letter Grade.

Overlapping courses:

UC San Diego permits students to overlap (a.k.a. or share) up to two courses (8 units) between two majors or a major and minor of departments or programs with compatible topics. Ethnic Studies allows two courses to be overlapped or shared but some departments only permit one overlap. Overlaps are listed in the Double Major Petition form and the course(s) may need to be reviewed via the Student Petition Process for inclusion into the major or minor. 

For more information:

For more information and degree planning, please contact: EthnicStudies@ucsd.edu.