Ethnic Studies

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a 9 hour program as well as an 18 hour program for students interested in enhancing their college experience by pursuing the study of ethnicity. Attachable to all university degree programs and majors, the ethnic studies curriculum focuses on domestic ethnic groups. Through increased understanding of and support for the diversity of United States ethnic heritage, the Ethnic Studies program helps students to understand themselves better in relation to others; provides the basis for positive, personal interaction with people of differing ethnic backgrounds; and maximizes their cross-cultural skills so necessary for the 21st century workplace.

Curriculum
The Ethnic Studies curriculum is a valuable educational experience based on both theory and practical application. Students have two options: 1) The Ethnic Studies Certification Program awards a certificate to participants and requires nine credit hours, either six hours of survey and practice courses (three hours of which must be in a survey course) and three hours of ethnic centured courses, or a three hour survey course and six hours of ethnic centered courses. 2) After successfully completing the above, students may continue their study of U.S. ethnicity by pursuing the Ethnic Studies Field of Emphasis. This requires an additional nine credit hours. The 18 hours for the Ethnic Studies Field of Emphasis must include a minimum of six hours of survey courses and a minimum of nine hours of ethnic centered courses, with at least two ethnic groups represented. Completion is recognized on a student's academic transcript.

Examples of Survey and Practice Courses:

• COMM 509 Intercultural Communication (Practice)
• ENG 126 Introduction to Literature: United States Ethnic Literature (Survey)
• IDS 350 Multiculturalism in the United States (Survey)
• IDS 420 Topics in Leadership Studies: Women and People of Color in Leadership (Survey)
• SOC 376 Racial and Ethnic Groups in the United States (Survey)
• TEEL 470 Introduction to Understanding the Diverse Learners in the Classroom (Practice)

• HIST 537 Chicanos: A History of Mexican Americans
• HIST 549 The Indian in American History
• HIST 550 African American History
• HIST 573 Asian Immigrants in the United States
• IDS * African American Diaspora
• IDS * African American Experiences
• IDS 385 Topics in Ethnic Studies
• SOC 347 Alaska Natives: Yesterday and Today
• SOC 575 Seminar: Contemporary Native American Issues

Independent Study (Offered by departments)

All students must participate in an orientation session.

*These courses are under development

Faculty
Faculty members from several academic departments offer a balanced and interdisciplinary approach to the study of ethnicity in the United States. The diversity of faculty provides several perspectives on domestic ethnicity.

Recognition
After successfully completing the Ethnic Studies Field of Emphasis, students will receive recognition on their academic transcripts that cites their ethnic studies emphasis and a certificate of achievement.

Personal Growth
The Ethnic Stuides Field of Emphasis provides students with a knowledge base that greatly assists them in personal growth and development. This curriculum prepares students to render valuable services to businesses, governmental agencies, and enhance their "employability" as change continues to impact the shifting job market of the 21st century.

The University Context
Fort Hays State University is a regional university principally serving western Kansas. The mission of the university is to provide instruction within a computerized environment in the arts and sciences, business, education and the health and life sciences. The institution's primary area of emphasis is liberal education including the humanities, the fine arts, the social/behavioral sciences and the natural/physical sciences. A major strategic orientation of the university is the application of computer and telecommunications technology to the educational environment.

Invitation to Visit
The best way to make a career choice or choose a university is to visit the campus. We would like to extend an invitation to you to visit Fort Hays State University and the Ethnic Studies staff.

For More Information and Advisement About Ethnic Studies, Contact:
Dr. Keith Campbell
Co-Director of ETHNIC STUDIES
Department of Sociology and Social Work
kcampbel@fhsu.edu Phone: 785/628-5320

OR

Dr. Raymond Wilson
Co-Director of ETHNIC STUDIES
Department of History
rwilson@fhsu.edu Phone: 785/628-5875

University Policy
All qualified applicants for admission or employment will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, or disability. No person attending FHSU shall on grounds of age, race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity.