Introduction to Ethnic Studies

Ethnic Studies is a subject in which students examine historical and current America, focusing on the experiences and contributions of people from ethnic groups that have been marginalized or targets of hate crimes.

Central to any Ethnic Studies course are the experiences of communities of color, building intergroup and self-understanding, and honoring diversity of experience and thought. Ethnic Studies should counter racism, inequality, stereotyping, and discrimination.

Students will better understand the accomplishments and struggles of diverse ethnic groups. Students will explore a variety of answers to questions related to ethnic groups and identity formation. They will explore the complexity of identity formation and its impact on how an individual fits into society.

The course calls for the exploration of the commonalities and differences among members of an ethnic group, and the study of race and ethnicity as they pertain to individual and community interactions.

The United States has a long and complicated history. Ethnic Studies should not seek to tear down individuals, other ethnic groups, or the democratic foundations of the United States, but rather to build upon the diversity of the US by including the experiences of people of color in the story of America.

One of the foundational aspects to learning is the ability to analyze information and hold discussions about various topics. Ethnic Studies should contribute to respectful dialogue by encouraging active listening, creating an atmosphere of trust, and stimulating empathy. It should motivate students to analyze history in a manner that supports questions, viewpoint diversity, and academic rigor.

It is imperative that students are exposed to multiple perspectives and encouraged to think analytically and form their own opinions supported with facts. The following acts as a guide to providing a balanced curriculum and pedagogy.

While Ethnic Studies works towards building a more inclusive American story, it also provides a platform for increased awareness, respect, self-confidence, intergroup understanding, and empathy. Through learning about one another, students are able to recognize commonalities and appreciate differences.

Ethnic Studies Principles and Values

Ethnic Studies shall:

Build mutual respect, self-confidence, intergroup understanding, and empathy among all students.
Help students confront past and present racism and discrimination, encouraging cultural understanding of how different groups have struggled and worked together to counter racism and bigotry.
Examine the experiences, perseverance, accomplishments, and contributions of historically marginalized or targeted ethnic groups in the United States, focusing on Black Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Americans, and Native Americans.
Promote inquisitive thinking and rigorous analysis of history, in an effort to generate discussions. Encourage understanding, analysis, and consideration for multiple points of view, perspectives, and cultures to promote respectful dialog and encourage active listening and receptivity to other points of view.[1]
Meet standards for academic rigor by using confirmed research and accurate resources as well as a balance of topics, authors, and concepts, including primary and secondary sources that represent multiple, and sometimes opposing, points of view or perspectives.[2]
Promote the values of civic engagement and civic responsibility as essential components to an inclusive and just society.
Celebrate diversity as well as shared experiences among ethnic groups, counter monolithic ideological stereotyping of an ethnic group, acknowledging nuance and the diversity of individual perspectives within a group.
Study a range of perspectives and approaches to overcome discrimination-based adversity in the US, acknowledging contributions and shortcomings of historical figures and movements.
Teach students to be proud of ethnic accomplishments without denigrating others, creating animosity, or being negative about the others' achievements.

Ethnic Studies Curricular Elements

Curriculum, resources, and materials include:

A balance of topics, authors, and concepts, including primary and secondary sources that represent multiple, and sometimes opposing, points of view or perspectives.[3]
Sources and genres that represent a variety of periods, cultures, and worldviews.[4]
Opportunities to teach students “to both understand our increasingly complex society and participate fully in our democratic system”.[5]

Students will:

Grapple with multiple and often competing pieces of information, form interpretations based on evidence, and learn how to place information in its appropriate context, and connect it to issues of broader significance.[6]
Actively seek to understand, analyze and articulate multiple points of view, perspectives and cultures.[7]
Learn that reading informational text in newspapers, articulating similarities and differences between political candidates, making claims supported by evidence, and discerning genres of arguments, for example, are all essential virtues that an informed citizenry must possess.[8]
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate into argumentative and expository writing and speaking.[9]
Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge.[10]
Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.[11]

Curriculum, resources, and materials:

Are appropriate for students with diverse learning needs.[12]
Incorporate the historical thinking skills of sourcing, close reading, corroboration, and contextualization (Stanford History Education Group Reading Like a Historian).

Pedagogy:

Keep student diversity and inquiry centered as a means to encourage engagement.
Must emphasize evidence based disciplinary practices and concepts which include investigation, evaluating evidence, close reading, and argumentative writing [and speaking][13]
Must support that, in the investigation, presentation and interpretation of facts and ideas within the prescribed course of study, teachers shall be free to examine, present and responsibly discuss various points of view in an atmosphere of open inquiry, provided that the instruction, material, or discussion: is appropriate to the age and maturity level of the students; is a fair and balanced academic presentation of various points of view consistent with accepted standards of professional responsibility, rather than advocacy, personal opinion, bias or partisanship (adapted from the United Teachers – Los Angeles/Los Angeles Unified School District Contract 2014-2017, Article XXV Academic Freedom and responsibility, 1.0 Lesson Content).
Align to the Literacy Standards for History–Social Studies within the California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History–Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects, as appropriate.
Be written in language that is inclusive and supportive of multiple users, including teachers (single and multiple-subject), support staff, and administrators.
“Ethnic studies in all California districts should address the basic contours of national and statewide ethnic experiences. This includes major events and phenomena that have shaped our diverse ethnic trajectories. However, individual school districts may also choose to enrich their approach to ethnic studies by also devoting special attention to ethnic groups that have been significantly present in their own communities.”[14]

Learning Outcomes

This Ethnic Studies course will introduce materials, activities, and conversations that will lead students to:

Study a wide variety of perspectives in order to foster cooperation and understanding across ethnic and cultural boundaries, celebrating the multitude of ways people of diverse backgrounds contribute to the United States.
Challenge racist, bigoted, discriminatory beliefs and practices.
Be empowered to better understand their own identities, value differences and inclusion, further a sense of human commonality, and thrive in a world of diversity.
Explore a range of approaches to bring about change in the US, and build the capacity to make informed, empathetic decisions as engaged participants in the democratic process.
Develop an understanding and appreciation of how race, ethnicity, nationality, and culture have shaped and continue to shape individuals and society in local communities and the United States overall.
Develop interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, learning to discuss potentially controversial topics, dialog respectfully with those holding different opinions, analyze issues, and express personal concerns. Gain experience actively listening and interacting with curiosity.