The race and ethnic cultures minor is composed of nine credits of African-American Studies, three credits of American Indian Studies, nine credits of Chicano Studies and three elective credits chosen from a list of approved relevant courses. The minor will not only help students better understand people from diverse backgrounds with whom they will live, work, and serve, but will also provide excellent skills for graduates in a number of fields, including communication, criminal justice, political science, psychology, sociology, social work and teaching. In the modern highly divers labor force, employers in the private and public sectors, will find this minor particularly attractive. These courses deal with the history and traditions of Native Americans.
Special attention is given to current issues and events relevant to conditions in Wisconsin.
The objective of African-American Studies is to provide a systematic study of the experiences, conditions and origins of African American people, their philosophical, religious and social values, their various models of artistic expression and the way in which each of these cultural aspects is interrelated. In African-American Studies, students study the history, social organization and problems facing African Americans as a racial minority in the United States. Chicano studies deals with Mexican, Hispanic and Latino cultures. In these courses, students study the role of the Chicano and the Boricua in the United States society, the social and philosophical values of Hispanics and the history, literature and political thought of Chicano and Puertorriqueno cultures. There are no teaching assistants.