The Department of Ethnic Studies promotes interdisciplinary research and teaching in Afroamerican studies, American Indian studies, Asian American studies, Chicano studies, and in cross-cultural and comparative race and ethnic studies.
Ethnic studies is an established undergraduate degree program.
The Department of Ethnic Studies seeks to provide a cohesive framework for the study of ethnic and racial groups and to promote research and critical examination of culture, history, and contemporary issues. The primary focus is on people of color and indigenous peoples of the Americas, but the center also considers important the study of race and ethnic issues. Interaction across the Americas and global interaction are studied, as well as diasporas. Also of primary concern is recognition and incorporation of multicultural definitions and values in the university curriculum.