Course Descriptions

AES 150 Introduction to American Ethnic Studies (4)

This course examines the historical, political and social dynamics of race and ethnicity in the United States. It investigates the creation and effects of these social concepts on the experiences, identities and relations of various peoples, as well as the culture and structures of society. The course will focus on the various ways race and ethnicity are recreated in society, particularly by the media, and the way these "social constructions" perpetuate privilege and social inequality. It will critically investigate the myths and contradictions of race and ethnicity, and will attempt to understand what purposes they serve in a "color-bound" contemporary U.S. society.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences; PDE
  • Prerequisite: First and second-year students only or consent of instructor.
  • Offering: Annually
  • Instructor: Staff

AES 199 Topics in American Ethnic Studies (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in American Ethnic Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
  • Prerequisite: Topic dependent
  • Offering: Occasionally
  • Instructor: Staff

AES 299 Topics in American Ethnic Studies (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in American Ethnic Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
  • Prerequisite: Topic dependent
  • Offering: Occasionally
  • Instructor: Staff

AES 330 Theory and Methods in American Ethnic Studies (4)

In this course, students will become familiar with the theoretical and methodological approaches in the interdisciplinary and evolving field of Ethnic Studies. It examines the key theories and methods that give voice to the realities of people of color, as well as group relations and resistance to inequality. This course analyzes the major theoretical paradigms for understanding race and ethnicity, evaluating the strengths and limitations for each framework in helping to bring about social change. It also explores and utilizes the methods of social science, recognizing the role, contribution and limitations of scientific inquiry for interpreting social reality. Other epistemological approaches will be assessed to determine what they bring to bear on empirical realities.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences; PDE
  • Prerequisite: AES 150; junior/senior standing; and at least one elective course in AES.
  • Offering: Spring
  • Instructor: Staff

AES 399 Topics in American Ethnic Studies (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in American Ethnic Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
  • Prerequisite: Topic dependent
  • Offering: Occasionally
  • Instructor: Staff

AES 429 Topics in American Ethnic Studies (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in American Ethnic Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

  • General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
  • Prerequisite: Topic dependent
  • Offering: Occasionally
  • Instructor: Staff
Willamette University

American Ethnic Studies

Salem

Address
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6615

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