Ethnic Studies
The Ethnic Studies Program oversees the minor in Ethnic Studies. The Ethnic Studies Institute organizes cultural programming on diversity that includes seminars, speakers, and grant applications.
The Ethnic Studies minor at West Chester University is interdisciplinary in nature, including six areas of concentration. Students select one of these (see below) and take courses in such disciplines as anthropology, education, English, history, philosophy, political science, public administration, religious studies, social work, and sociology.
The goals are to enhance students' appreciation and understanding of ethnic diversity through ethnic studies courses, seminars, research, scholarly conferences, and cultural programs.
The minor requires 18 credit hours of ethnic studies courses: a core course from among ANT 120, ANT 220, SOC 335, SWO 335, and five additional ethnic studies courses.
The areas of concentration are:
- African American studies
- Asian American studies
- Hispanic American studies
- Jewish American studies
- Native American studies
- Multi-cultural studies
There are also special interdisciplinary study opportunities which allow ethnic studies minors to:
- Work on oral histories
- Participate in planning scholarly conferences and special programs
- Work on archaeological excavations
- Receive individual language lessons
- Participate in internships
- Study abroad
Career Opportunities
A minor in ethnic studies prepares you to work with multi-cultural populations and is useful for working with the public. Graduates have chosen careers as affirmative action officers, counselors, directors of social agencies, lawyers, paralegal assistants, psychiatric social workers, and teachers. Some graduates have pursued careers in state and local government.
Graduates of the program have gone on to advanced degree programs at a variety of prestigious universities.
For More Information:
Dr. Bonita Freeman-Witthoft, Director
Ethnic Studies Institute
Department of Anthropology
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2725
bfreeman-witthoft@wcupa.edu
Dr. Frank J. Hoffman, Associate Director
Ethnic Studies Institute
Department of Philosophy
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2361
fhoffman@wcupa.edu |
