University of Nebraska Kearney

Academic Minor Requirements

The Ethnic Studies Minor shall require a minimum of twenty-four semester hours of approved Ethnic Studies courses.

Total Hours: 24

Required Courses (9 hours):

ETHS 101  Introduction to Ethnic Studies

This course focuses on the historical development, perspectives, and cultural expressions of U.S. minority groups.  Consideration will be given to key concepts including race, ethnicity, nationality, class and power, and the interactions among them.

ETHS  370  Advanced Research Project

Under faculty guidance, students will conceive and carry out a semester-long project of research or creative activity in Ethnic Studies.  It may be possible to cross-list this research course with compatible research / independent study courses from other disciplines.

ETHS  450  Senior Seminar in Comparative Ethnic Studies

A capstone course for students minoring in Ethnic Studies. Utilizing the projects developed by students in ETHS 370, this interdisciplinary seminar will draw connections between prior Ethnic Studies courses and student research while examining contemporary theory, issues, and events.

Ethnic Studies courses shall be open to all students who have had the ETHS 101 Introduction to Ethnic Studies course.  The Director of Ethnic Studies may accept students from other degree programs wanting to take ETHS 370 Advanced Research Project on a case by case basis depending of the preparation and appropriateness of the research skills and interests of the student and in consultation with the student’s major academic advisor.

Any student seeking a designated minor in Ethnic Studies must consult with and have the course of study approved by the Director of Ethnic Studies upon completion of ETHS 101: Introduction to Ethnic Studies.   Approval of a course of study by the Ethnic Studies Director is required prior to registration as an Ethnic Studies Minor.  An Ethnic Studies Minor must have a minimum composite grade point average of 2.0.  Transfer credits from other approved college or university programs will be considered upon approval of the Director of Ethnic Studies.  A maximum of 6 credit hours can be transferred credits.

Every Ethnic Studies Minor shall complete ETHS 370, or its equivalency, under faculty guidance.  An Ethnic Studies Minor student will conceive and carry out a semester-long project of research or creative activity in Ethnic Studies.  The faculty direction for ETHS 370 may be provided by a faculty member within any academic discipline.  The Ethnic Studies Director will be responsible for approval of research or creative activity proposal as it relates to Ethnic Studies.  The Director of Ethnic Studies shall be provided a copy or report of the advanced research or creative activity product and will have final approval as the project relates to Ethnic Studies credit.  A statement of understanding will be completed between the student and the Director of Ethnic Studies prior to the commencement of the project.

Each Ethnic Studies Minor shall complete ETHS  450:  Senior Seminar in Comparative Ethnic Studies.  ETHS 450 is a capstone course for students of Ethnic Studies that will utilize the projects developed by students in ETHS 370.   This interdisciplinary seminar will draw connections between prior Ethnic Studies courses, student research and the relationship between them and contemporary society.  Additional educational material will be provided by the faculty member teaching ETHS 450 that is designed to challenge the students’ understanding of ethnic study issues and exercise critical thinking and problem solving strategy development. 

Elective Courses (15 hours):  Choose courses from at least two of the three academic groups:

Group 1:   Arts and Humanities

               English     

                                      ENG 253:  Intro to Lit, Non-Western Civ.  (Khan)

                                      ENG 254:  Native American Literature (Bloomfield)

                                       ENG 333:  Special Topics, World Lit: Writing and Imperialism  (Khan)

                                      ENG 359:  Contemporary American Multicultural Literature (Bloomfield)

               History 

                                      HIST 250: Survey of U.S. History (Rohrer)

                                      HIST 251:  America After 1865  (Ellis)

                                      HIST 429:  Religion (Rohrer)

                                      HIST 431:  Colonial America (Rohrer)

                Music

                                      MUS 106:  Intro to Jazz and Blues 

                                      MUS 107: Intro to Rock and Blues

               Speech

                                      SPCH 454: Intercultural Communication

Group 2:  Social Sciences

                Criminal Justice  CJUS 380: Minorities and Criminal Justice

                Social Work    SOWK  276: Social Welfare Policies and Services

                                        SOWK 342: Human Behavior in the Social Environment II

                                        SOWK 470: International Social Work Experience

                Sociology       SOC 201: Social Inequality

                                       SOC 225:  Community and HumanDiversity (Steinmetz)

                                       SOC 340: Sociology of the Holocaust

                                      SOC 420:  Race and Minority Relations (Glazier)

Group 3: Applied and Professional Studies

                Family Studies and Interior Design               

                                        FSID 280:  Diversity Field Experience (2 cr. hrs-Moore)         

                                        FSID 481: Cross Cultural Family Patterns  (Asay)

These courses will be selected from the offerings of various departments with the review, assessment and approval of the Director of the Ethnic Studies Program and the Ethnic Studies Committee.