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American and Racial Multicultural Studies

Overview

American Racial and Multicultural Studies (ARMS) introduces students to the cultures, histories, and experiences of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. The goals of this program are to increase students' awareness of diversity and prepare them to function in a society that is becoming increasingly multicultural. The ARMS program is interdisciplinary, drawing on faculty from many departments and asking students to integrate multiple perspectives on the issues raised in courses. An ARMS major or concentration complements a variety of majors in the social sciences, humanities, and the arts.

General Education Credit

ARMS courses that fulfill General Education requirements are listed in the Class and Lab Schedule.

Requirements for the Major

A major consists of American Racial and Multicultural Studies 121, plus a minimum of seven other approved courses taken in at least three departments or programs (total of eight courses). One of the seven courses may be an independent study or research, and one may be an off-campus internship approved by the Director of American Racial and Multicultural Studies. Students may wish to link an ARMS major with a major in one of the departments represented in the program. Beginning in 1997-98, ARMS majors will be expected to complete a senior project.

Requirements for the Concentration

A concentration consists of American Racial and Multicultural Studies 121, plus four other approved courses taken in at least two departments or programs (a total of five courses).

Courses

Required Course

121 Introduction to American Racial and Multicultural Studies

This course provides an introduction to the cultural and historical background of four groups in America: African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans. Emphasis is on race relations and the distinguishing characteristics of these cultures as reflected in the academic disciplines of the creative and performing arts, the humanities, the social and behavioral sciences, and the general area of popular culture. Contributions to cultural pluralism are accentuated as well as the special issues of identity faced by these Americans.

Approved Courses

Art 250
U.S. Visions and Identities

Asian Studies 126
Asian America

Dance 246
Dance in America

English 245
Literature of the American Minorities

English 284
Black Drama

English 385
Topics in Minority Literature

English 399
Race in American Literature, 1830-1930

History 130
From Wounded Knee to Red Power

History 131
Red, White, and Black

History 145
Civil Rights Revolution

History 206
United States since 1865

History 241
Native American-White Relations

History 242
African-American History

History 244
Civil War and Reconstruction

Intercultural 231
Africa and the Americas

Intercultural 371
Asia and the West

Music 388
Ethnic Music

Sociology/ Anthropology 140
Immigration, Race, and Culture: Creating a New America?

Sociology/ Anthropology 235
Contemporary Native American Issues

Sociology/ Anthropology 244
Race and Class in American Culture

Interim

The following Interim courses, approved for ARMS credit, were offered in January 1996:

Art 250
Visions and Identities

Asian Studies 126
Asian America

Education 295
Education in a Cross-Cultural Perspective -- Hawaii (off-campus)

Education 380
Urban Alternative Education Practicum (off-campus)

History 247
Native Americans of the Southwest

Interdisciplinary 260
Dimensions of Multiculture (ACM Chicago -- off-campus)

Faculty

The faculty of interdisciplinary programs are drawn from a variety of departments. See faculty listing under department for individual degree information.

Joan Hepburn (Director)
Assistant Professor of English, 1987-

Jan Allister
Instructor in English, 1989-

John Barbour
Professor of Religion, 1982-

Mary Carlsen
Associate Professor of Social Work, 1989-

Michael Fitzgerald
Associate Professor of History, 1986-

Judy Kutulas
Associate Professor of History, 1987-

Bruce Nordstrom
Associate Professor of Sociology/Anthropology, 1982-

Mark Schelske
Associate Professor of Education, 1987-

Mary Titus
Associate Professor of English, 1989-

Abby Werlock
Associate Professor of English, 1987-