WCU Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Ethnic Studies with Film Series
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ethnic studies at WCU, now known as the Institute of Race and Ethnic Studies, which offers an interdisciplinary
minor degree program.
A free film series is being offered in recognition of the anniversary. These short films examine the 1968-1969 student strikes at San Francisco State College and the University of California-Berkeley in which students demanded the creation of a “School of Ethnic Studies” and a “Third World College.” Faculty and, eventually, non-academics joined the protests, which led to the creation of the first ethnic studies programs in the country.
“The institute selected the film series to show how ethnic studies is still relevant to WCU students today as it offers a critical perspective for understanding structural and systemic racism,” says Miguel Ceballos, institute director, associate professor of sociology, and assistant chair of anthropology and sociology. “The discipline of ethnic studies is uniquely placed to examine issues of race and racism as the discipline was born out of protests during the civil rights movement in the 1960s with a mission to address issues of race in the university, including the lack of access, underrepresentation, misrepresentation, and overall neglect of racial minorities within the university curriculum ― issues that continue to resonate today.”
On Wednesday, March 6, the institute will screen and discuss a film that documents the student/faculty strike at San Francisco State College. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. in Sykes Student Union Room 255, 110 West Rosedale Avenue, and is also presented via Zoom. The series began on February 7 and will conclude on Thursday, April 4.
The University was still West Chester State College in 1974 when ethnic studies was established, notes Ceballos, adding, “The institute was founded to increase the understanding and appreciation of racial and ethnic diversity and multiculturalism on the campus.” Katharine Newman of the English Department was the Institute’s founding director. Succeeding directors included Andrew E. Dinniman, Irene G. Shur, and Bonita Freeman-Witthoft.
For the last 50 years the Institute of Race and Ethnic Studies has promoted the understanding and appreciation of racial and ethnic diversity, multiculturalism, racial and social justice, while also informing students on what a more equitable and inclusive world on the WCU campus looks like through teaching, student engagement, cultural programming, and scholarly research. The minor provides students with a critical understanding of the social, cultural, and historical experiences of racial and ethnic groups in this country, leading to a concentration in one of these areas: African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Jewish American Studies, Latino/a Studies, Native American Studies, or Multi-Ethnic Studies.
Click here for more information about the film series and the Zoom link or contact Miguel Ceballos by email.