Fact Sheet 07: Ethnic Studies

Revised August 2007

Ethnic Studies

The ethnic studies program at West Chester University is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on the resources of many disciplines, including anthropology, education, English, history, philosophy, political science, public administration, religious studies, social work, and sociology.

The goals of the program are to enhance your appreciation and understanding of ethnic diversity through ethnic studies courses, research, scholarly conferences, and cultural programs. As a student, you can earn a certificate in an area of ethnic concentration.

Career Opportunities

West Chester University offers a minor in ethnic studies, which prepares you to work with minority populations and is useful if you plan a career that involves 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 Bryn Mawr College, Marywood College, Temple University, Indiana University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania. Others have attended law school at Dickinson College, Rutgers University, Temple University, Villanova University, and William and Mary.

Minors

Ethnic studies
Holocaust studies

The ethnic studies minor includes concentrations in the following areas:

African American studies
Asian American studies
Hispanic American studies
Jewish American studies
Native American studies

If you wish to participate in the ethnic studies program, you should register for the minor with the Ethnic Studies Institute. The program includes 18 semester hours of ethnic studies courses, including a core course in ethnic studies and five courses in a concentration of your interest. You also are expected to attend at least two ethnic-related cultural events each year, such as art shows, films, lectures, musical programs, and theater productions.

The Holocaust studies minor deals with the historical aspects of the Holocaust as well as the moral and political issues involved in the prevention of future holocausts.

Typical Courses

African American History
American Indians
Ethnic Cultures in America
Ethnic Cultures Workshop
Global Perspectives
The Holocaust
Introduction to the Islamic World
Introduction to World Literature
The Jew in History
Language and Culture of Puerto Rico
Modern China
Modern India
Philosophies and Religions of India
Philosophies and Religions of the Far East
Race Relations

Special Study Opportunities

A minor in ethnic studies will allow you to work on oral histories and participate in the planning of scholarly conferences and special programs. In conjunction with the Department of Anthropology, you will have the opportunity to work on archaeological excavations. In conjunction with the Department of Foreign Languages, you can receive individual instruction in a number of languages. Several departments offer internships that have an ethnic component. The social science workshop and several University departments offer opportunities to study abroad.

Related Student Activities

Asian American Association
Black Student Union
Hillel Jewish Student Union
Indo-American Association
International Student Association
Latin American Students Organization
Clubs for anthropology, foreign languages, history, political science, social work, and sociology

Faculty

You can obtain a complete listing of faculty for this program and their qualifications from the contact person listed below.

For More Information

Dr. Bonita Freeman-Witthoft, Director
Ethnic Studies Institute
Department of Anthropology
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2725

Dr. Frank J. Hoffman,
Associate Director
Department of Philosophy
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2361