Course Descriptions
Ethnic Studies
ETN 335
Italian American Heritage and Culture: A Local Perspective
3 credits
Italian Americans have played a central and continuous role in the American consciousness, shaping our political, economic, cultural, and social lives. This course will explore the multi-layered history of Italian Americans, from Columbus to DiMaggio, from food and family to the entrapping stereotypes of The Godfather and The Sopranos. Special emphasis will be given to the local and regional impact of the Italian American community.
ETN 336
Irish American Heritage and Culture: A Local Perspective
3 credits
Irish Americans have played an integral role in shaping American political, economic, cultural, and social lives. This course will explore the multi-layered history and influence of Irish Americans, from the Scotch-Irish immigrants of the early 1700's to the Irish Catholic immigrants of the 1800's, from food to the arts; each aspect of the course will seek to answer the question, ''What does it mean to be Irish-American?'' Special emphasis will be given to the local and regional impact of the Irish-American community.
ETN 337
African American Heritage and Culture: A Local Perspective
3 credits
African Americans have played an integral role in shaping American political, economic, cultural, and social lives. This course will explore the multi-layered history of African Americans, from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin to the Civil Rights era to Thurgood Marshall, from food to the arts; each aspect of the course will seek to answer the question, ''What does it mean to be African American?'' Special emphasis will be given to the local and regional impact of the African American community.
ETN 338
The Black Woman
3 credits
This course will explore the experience of the Black Woman from antiquity (Sahara, 8000 BC) to present. The course will examine the Black Woman’s life, politics, and culture. The course will use the analytical frameworks of race, gender, and class to understand the culture of domination and the life cycles and multiple roles of women of the African Diaspora as mothers, daughters, wives, and workers, and agents of social change.
ETN 340
Hispanic Culture and Enrichment
3 credits
This course is an overview of the influence of Hispanic culture in American society. The student will explore the multicultural, multi ethnic, and multiracial aspects as well as the geography, history, language, and culture of the many groups who have come to the United States and how these groups have and will influence the future of our country.
ETN 341
Native Americans
3 credits
This course includes the study of Native American social and economic history and culture. Students will analyze the struggles and accomplishments of the Native Americans. This course will explore the multi-layered history of the initial settlers of this land, from prehistoric people crossing the Bering land bridge to notable Native Americans to current economic and political realities.