This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.sierracollege.edu.

Contact Information

Contact Information
Division
Liberal Arts
Dean
Patrick Marasso
Associate Deans
Soni Verma, Maria Villasenor
Location
Division Office
W 107, Rocklin Campus

Overview

Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary program of study that focuses on the experiences, contributions, and knowledge produced by historically underrepresented racially minoritized groups in the United States; with an intersectional focus on Native Americans, Black/African Americans, Asian Americans and the Chicanx & Latinx communities. The Ethnic Studies department houses the Chicana/o Studies Associated of Arts Degree.

TRANSFER MAJOR REQUIREMENTS in Ethnic Studies (including Black/African American Studies, Native American Studies, Asian American Studies, & Chicana/o Studies) are available in the Counseling Center. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for specific transfer requirements. Positions for which four-year graduates in Ethnic Studies are qualified include careers in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and other helping professions.

Faculty

Melissa Leal

Assistant Professor, Ethnic Studies

B.A., California State University, Sacramento
Ph.D., University of California, Davis

Degrees/Certificates

Associate Degrees

Chicana and Chicano Studies

AA Degree

The Chicana and Chicano Studies (CHS) program at Sierra College offers students an interdisciplinary approach to a growing and dynamic field of study that draws from Anthropology, Art, History, Literature, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science, Sociology and Spanish. The Chicana and Chicano Studies Program prepares students for further study in Chicana and Chicano Studies or a social science or humanities course of study leading to BA, MA, and/or Ph.D. degrees. Chicana and Chicano Studies provides students with career opportunities in education, social work, law, public administration, community development, the arts, ecology, health, law enforcement, and business. Upon completion of the program, students will use critical thinking to gain a greater understanding of the diverse and complex experiences of persons who identify as American Latino, Chicana, Chicano, Chicanx, Xicana, Xicano, Chican@, Hispana, Hispanic, Hispano, Indo-Hispano, Latina, Latino, Latinx, Mexican American, South/Caribbean or Central American. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements. Students must fulfill the following major requirements with grades of “C” or better, complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units (12 of which must be completed at Sierra College) with a grade point average of at least 2.0 and complete one of the following three general education patterns:

Required Courses

ETHN 0011Introduction to Ethnic Studies3
ETHN 0030Introduction to Chicana/o Studies3
HIST 0023Chicano/Mexican American History3
Select 3-5 units from the following:3-5
Elementary Spanish - Level I
Elementary Spanish - Level II
Intermediate Spanish - Level I
Intermediate Spanish - Level II
Intermediate Conversational Spanish
Spanish for the Healthcare Professions
Select 3 units from the following:3
Community and the Justice System
Cultural Anthropology
Native Peoples of North America
Native Peoples of California
History of the Arts of Africa, the Americas, and Oceania
Introduction to African American Studies
Federal Indian Law and Policy
Ethnic Images in Film
Introduction to Native American Studies
Teaching in a Diverse Society
The African American Experience in American History to 1877
The African American Experience in American History since 1877
California History
Native American History
Politics of the Developing World
American Foreign Policy
First Year Seminar
Race, Ethnicity and Inequality
Introduction to Social Justice
Select 3 units from the following:3
Anthropology of Sex, Gender and Sexuality
History of Women in Art
Women in American History
Introduction to Women, Gender and Religion (Also WMST 0003)
Introduction to LGBT Studies/Queer Theory (Also WMST 0002)
Women and Politics in a Global Society
Human Sexuality
Sociology of Gender
Introduction to Women's Studies
Feminism and Social Action (Also SOC 0010)
Total Units18-20

Social and Behavioral Sciences

AA or AS Degree

(formerly Social Science)

The Social and Behavioral Sciences degree provides students with a broad perspective on human behavior. Successful completion of the curriculum in Social and Behavioral Sciences offers students a breadth of knowledge that could be focused into single discipline degrees as well as applied to an interdisciplinary degree. By drawing from a select group of disciplines, students will study about themselves and others as members of a larger society. Topics and discussions strengthen students’ ability to gather and apply information, evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate, gain knowledge to apply to life and think critically. The courses emphasize a span of social and behavioral disciplines. Students should choose the emphasis appropriate to their transfer institution or areas of interest. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements. Students must fulfill the following major requirements with grades of “C” or better, complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units (12 of which must be completed at Sierra College) with a grade point average of at least 2.0 and complete one of the following three general education patterns:

Required Courses

Select 9 units from the following Behavioral Sciences:9
Cultural Anthropology
Native Peoples of North America
Introduction to Archaeology
Native Peoples of California
Magic, Witchcraft, Ritual, Myth and Religion
Anthropology of Sex, Gender and Sexuality
Small Group Communication
Communication Foundations
Performance of Diverse Literatures
Intercultural Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Mass Communication: Media and Society
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
Human Development Through the Lifespan
Child, Family, and Community
Child Growth and Development
Teaching in a Diverse Society
Principles of Nutrition
General Principles of Psychology
Social Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Research Methods in Psychology
Psychology of Adjustment
Psychology of Death and Dying
Psychology of Intimate Relationships and Family (also HDEV 0021)
Psychology of Women
Human Sexuality
Alcohol, Drugs and Society
Psychology and Film
Cultural Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Social Problems
Race, Ethnicity and Inequality
The Family (also HDEV 0022)
Sociology of Women's Health
Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
Sociology of Gender
Introduction to Hip Hop and Social Justice
Introduction to Social Justice
Select 9 units from the following Social Sciences:9
Introduction to Administration of Justice
Food, Society and the Environment
Introduction to Agricultural Business and Economics
Law and Society
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability
Introduction to African American Studies
Federal Indian Law and Policy
Ethnic Images in Film
Introduction to Native American Studies
Cultural Geography
Geography of California
World Regional Geography
Western Civilization to 1715
Western Civilization since 1715
History of the United States to 1877
History of the United States since 1865
The African American Experience in American History to 1877
The African American Experience in American History since 1877
History of Traditional East Asia
History of Modern East Asia
California History
Contemporary United States History
American Military History
Chicano/Mexican American History
Russian History - 10th Century to Present
Native American History
Women in American History
World History to 1500
World History since 1500
Introduction to LGBT Studies/Queer Theory (also WMST 2)
American Government
Comparative Government
International Relations
Russian and East European Political Systems
California Politics and Government
Politics of the Developing World
American Foreign Policy
Politics of the Middle East
Terrorism
Introduction to Political Theory
Women and Politics in a Global Society
Introduction to Women's Studies
Total Units18

ETHN 0011. Introduction to Ethnic Studies

Units: 3
Formerly known as SSCI 10
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduces students to Ethnic Studies and the diverse institutional, cultural, and historical issues relating to the past and present life circumstances and intersectional identities of the four core Ethnic populations of Asian Americans, Chicanx/Latinx Americans, African Americans, and Native Americans/American Indians within the United States. (CSU, UC)

ETHN 0014. Introduction to Asian American Studies

Units: 3
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduces students to Ethnic Studies and the diverse, institutional, cultural, and historical issues and experiences relating to the past and present life circumstances and intersectional identities of Asian Americans. (CSU, UC)

ETHN 0020. Introduction to African American Studies

Units: 3
Formerly known as SSCI 20
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduces students to Ethnic Studies and the diverse institutional, cultural, and historical issues relating to the present life circumstances of African Americans in the United States. The course is interdisciplinary in nature and presents an overview of the cultural, economic, historic, social, and political issues in the life of African Americans in the United States centering African American voices. It will expose students of all ethnic backgrounds to the issues pertinent to the experience of African Americans. (CSU, UC)

ETHN 0028. Independent Study

Units: 1-3
Formerly known as SSCI 28
Designed for students interested in furthering their knowledge at an independent study level in an area where no specific curriculum offering is currently available. Independent study might include, but is not limited to, research papers, special subject area projects, and research projects. See Independent Study page in catalog. (CSU, UC-with unit limitation)

ETHN 0030. Introduction to Chicana/o Studies

Units: 3
Formerly known as SSCI 16
Hours: 54 lecture
Introductory study of the Mexican American/Latino experience in the United States. Offers an interdisciplinary approach to the examination of art, literature, film, language, ethnomusicology, culinary culture, folklore, religion, gender and immigration. Examines race, ethnicity and culture in the Chicano/Latino community and the creation of Ethnic Studies programs in the United States. (CSU, UC)

ETHN 0045. Federal Indian Law and Policy

Units: 3
Formerly known as SSCI 45
Hours: 54 lecture
In-depth study of American Indian cultures and the impact of state and federal laws pertaining to tribal sovereignty and self-governance. Covers the effects of and resistance to colonization and cultural appropriation upon American Indian cultures and religions. Students gain a practical understanding of the legal, political and cultural challenges faced by American Indian tribal nations in our own region and across the country. (CSU, UC)

ETHN 0050. Ethnic Images in Film

Units: 3
Formerly known as SSCI 50
Hours: 54 lecture
Interdisciplinary approach to study the intersections of ethnic culture, race, socio-economic class, and gender in the United States through the medium of film. Examines film content for representation and accuracy, the multiple dimensions of media stereotypes, and the authenticity of diverse ethnic experiences with particular emphasis on gender, race and class. Note: not a course in film making or film criticism. (CSU, UC)

ETHN 0053. Introduction to Native American Studies

Units: 3
Formerly known as SSCI 41
Hours: 54 lecture
Survey of the cultures of Native American/American Indians within the United States focusing on the social, religious, economic, and artistic nature of various native groups. Examination of the antiquity, distribution, and linguistic history of native cultures. Addresses the contemporary status of native cultural traditions taking into account social change and adaptation. Emphasis on geographic, cultural, historical, and botanical environment of local native cultures. An optional field trip may be included. (CSU, UC)

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)

  • Read and discuss the influences of race, ethnicity, religion, economic status, gender, and sexual orientation.
  • Evaluate and examine theories of race relations and the persistence of racism, classism, and sexism.
  • Analyze the concepts of individual/institutional racism, cycles of oppression, matrix of domination and policies of exclusion.
  • Identify, recognize and appreciate the extensive contributions of historically marginalized people in the formation of the U.S.