Staff member and a student in the Cross Cultural Center
Undergraduate

Racial and Ethnic Studies

Learn about the historical transformations, significance, and social frameworks of multi-racial and ethnic societies through the scope of different scholarly perspectives.

What is the Racial and Ethnic Studies minor at Assumption?

The minor in racial and ethnic studies uses interdisciplinary and comparative frameworks to understand the underlying social, cultural, and historical circumstances that impact the formation of racial and ethnic categories. As the United States becomes more racially and ethnically diverse, the minor in racial and ethnic studies pairs well with other majors and minors across Assumption, preparing you to understand these changes and work within increasingly diverse workforces.

This minor helps us explain the formation, representation, and transformation of racial and ethnic categories in specific social and historical contexts. The minor helps you explore research that addresses the historical origins of the modern idea of race and of ethnic identities in the United States and other nations. You will examine how race and ethnicity shape contemporary socio-economic opportunities and outcomes and are represented in different cultural genres such as literature, art, music, and visual media. This will prepare you to address how questions of race and ethnicity relate to justice and social change through social movements, activism, and other forms of civic engagement in the US and abroad.

Program Contact
Steven D. Farough, Ph.D

Steven D. Farough, Ph.D

Associate Professor of Sociology, Director of Racial and Ethnic Studies
508-767-7242 Kennedy Memorial Hall - Room 214
Students from 33 states and 11 countries
100%
All classes taught by professors, none by teaching assistants.
13:1
Student/Faculty Ratio

Program Curriculum

  • Students must complete a total of six courses, three of which must be taken beyond the student’s major requirements as specified in Assumption’s policy on the “double counting” of courses. Of the six courses, students must fulfill the following requirements to complete the minor:

    • One gateway course (HIS: 270: Immigration & Ethnicity in American History or SOC:  216: Racial & Ethnic Relations)
    • One course in elective Literary and Artistic Perspectives on the Question of Race and Ethnicity area
    • One course in elective Historical and Social Scientific Perspectives on the Question of Race and Ethnicity area
    • Three courses in any of the elective areas

  • Electives:

    Literary and Artistic Perspectives on the Question of Race and Ethnicity

    ENG 287 Literature by American Women of Color
    ENG 379 Postcolonial Literature
    ENG 380 Images of Race in American Literature and Culture
    ENG 387 Survey of African American Literature
    CLT 256 Latino Voices
    LAS 200 Introduction to Latin American Studies
    MUS 125 World Music
    MUS 126 Global Pop
    SPA 231 Survey of Latin American Literature
    SPA 380 Latin American Chronicles

     

    Historical and Social Scientific Perspectives on the Question of Race and Ethnicity

    CRM 130 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
    GLS 108 World Population Issues
    GLS 112 Introduction to Global Studies
    HIS 254 North American Indian
    HIS 255 From Contact To Casinos: Interactions With Indians In North America
    HIS 258 Colonial America
    HIS 269 The African American Dream
    HIS 359 Revolutionary America 1763-1815
    HIS 369 Civil War and Reconstruction in the US
    PSY 218 Cultural Psychology
    SOC 112 Social Problems
    SOC 206 Sociology of Urban Life
    SOC 232 Social Inequality in Society
    SOC 218 Social Movements
    WMS 385 Women of the World

    SOC 216 and HIS 270 can be counted as an elective if students want to take both courses.

    There is potential for other special topics courses to count towards an elective requirement for the minor. The Chair of the program must be contacted for approval.

    Course Descriptions

    Academic Catalog & Advising Guide

Faculty

Steven D. Farough, Ph.D
Steven D. Farough, Ph.D
Director of Racial and Ethnic Studies Associate Professor of Sociology Director of Racial and Ethnic Studies
John Frederick Bell, Ph.D.
John Frederick Bell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of History
Shahara B. Drew, Ph.D.
Shahara B. Drew, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Practice of English
Cinzia Pica, Ed.D.
Cinzia Pica, Ed.D.
Chair, Department of Health and Human Services Director of the Women’s Studies Program Professor, Human Services
Smriti Rao, Ph.D
Smriti Rao, Ph.D
Department Chair, Economics, Finance and Accounting Professor of Economics Global Studies Program Director

Assumption is dedicated to providing a clear understanding of what your education will cost

We’ll help cut through the complexity of financing your education, ensuring you understand what you need, how to apply for aid, and what’s expected of you. You will be assigned a personal financial aid advisor who will guide you through the process and answer all of your financial aid-related questions.
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Programs Related to Racial and Ethnic Studies

Criminology

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Sociology

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