University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
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Ethnic Studies

Undergraduate Study: Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Certificate in Ethnic Studies.

Website:  www.ethnicstudies.hawaii.edu

Academic Program

The Department of Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary program that combines traditional and contemporary methodologies with new perspectives on issues of race, ethnicity, and class. The focus is Hawai‘i with its rich legacy of multiethnic heritages, but the research, teaching, and service components also involve the United States as a whole and comparative studies of societies around the globe.

Ethnic studies provides courses on theories and practices of ethnicity, race, and class. The program also offers courses on the history and experiences of specific groups, including African Americans and Native Americans. Among groups in Hawai‘i, Caucasians, Chinese, Filipinos, Hawaiians, Japanese, and Koreans are subjects of separate courses. There are also courses dealing with critical topics such as ethnic identity, land tenure, social movements, and labor history.

Graduates have gone on to successful work in public service, social service, business, law, labor organization, education, and other fields that require sensitivity to people and their backgrounds.

Major-Related skills

In addition to discipline specific content, ethnic studies majors have the ability to:

  • analyze situations from multiple viewpoints.
  • communicate diplomatically and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • understand that all people and ideas have value and interconnectedness.
  • view the world from the perspective of other individuals and other cultures.
  • understand and be sensitive to a community’s needs.
  • relate to others from varying backgrounds.

    Declaring Ethnic Studies as a Major

    Click here for a form-fillable major declaration form.  Complete the first page of the Declaration of Major form and print two copies. Make an appointment with a faculty advisor in the Department of Ethnic Studies to discuss your interests, major requirements, and course selection.  The advisor will complete the second page of the form.  Two copies of the completed form should then be turned in to the service counter for Arts & Sciences Student Academic Services.

    Click here for concurrent degree requests (i.e., between A&S and another college or different degree programs within A&S, such as concurrent BA and BS degrees).


    Created by Lynne Higa, Michael Kirk-Kuwaye

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