American Multicultural Studies, BA

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Admission into the Major

Each student majoring in AMCS is assigned a faculty advisor and consults with the advisor on progress toward the degree. Upon acceptance into the major, a transfer student’s records will be reviewed to articulate the lower-division courses that are equivalent to those offered within the AMCS Department. A maximum of ten lower–division units may be transferred. Upper-division courses from four-year institutions may be transferred above and beyond the ten units of lower-division transfer towards the AMCS major, based on advisor approval. Students should use assist.org to view official articulation agreements between SSU and other California colleges.

Students graduating with a B.A. in American Multicultural Studies must take 20 units of core courses and an additional 8 upper-division AMCS courses plus 16 units from their chosen AMCS Pathway or the Concentration in Africana Studies.

Grading Minimums

Students must earn a grade of C- or above to get AMCS major credit. All courses graded below C- must be retaken in order to be eligible for major credit. Courses must be taken for a grade to be eligible for major credit. Courses for major credit may not be taken CR/NC.

Program Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

Study the roles of race and ethnicity in U.S. society, both historically and today.
Analyze how economic and political forces intersect with race and ethnicity in the United States.
Understand the aesthetic and creative contributions of U.S. non-whites.
Address the representation of racial and ethnic minorities in American culture, history, and politics.
Understand the relationships between ideology and power.
Study the intersectional natures of race, ethnicity, class, gender, religion, region, nationality, and other factors.

Values

Develop an understanding of how race and ethnicity are tied to personal values.
Gain an appreciation for the role non-whites have played in building America.
Foster a moral and political commitment to multiculturalism.
Understand the connections between individual achievement and community involvement.

Skills

Complete a research or creative project in ethnic studies.
Build critical thinking abilities and apply them to real-life issues.
Develop oral and written communication skills.

Degree Requirements

See the “Degree Requirements ” in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

General Education Requirements (48 units)

See the “General Education Program ” requirements in the University Catalog for information on General Education requirements. Some major requirements may double count for GE requirements.

Major Core Requirements: 20 Units

Choose any three (12 units)

AMCS 165A - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4
AMCS 165B - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4
AMCS 210 - Ethnic Groups in America Unit(s): 4
AMCS 225 - How Racism Works: America in Black and White Unit(s): 4

Required (8 units):

AMCS 392 - Ethnic Images in Film and Media Unit(s): 4
AMCS 480 - Research and Methodology Unit(s): 4

Choose 8 units of Upper Division Electives:

*Based on advisor approval. Only one of these courses may count towards the degree.

** Can count as an elective if not taken as a core course.

AMCS 339 - Ethnic Groups and American Social Policy Unit(s): 3
AMCS 350 - Ethics, Values, and Multiculturalism Unit(s): 3
AMCS 355 - Language and Ethnicity Unit(s): 4
AMCS 370 - Gender in Asian America Unit(s): 4
AMCS 374 - The Multiracial Experience Unit(s): 4
AMCS 377 - Asian American Experience Unit(s): 4
AMCS 381 - Research Assistantship Unit(s): 2-4 *
AMCS 385 - Facilitation Training Unit(s): 2-4 *
AMCS 395 - Community Involvement Program Unit(s): 1-4 (3-4 Unit(s) Required) *
AMCS 399 - Student-Initiated Course Unit(s): 1-4 (3-4 Unit(s) Required) *
AMCS 420 - Gender and Ethnicity Unit(s): 4
AMCS 445 - Multi-Culturalism and Education Unit(s): 4
AMCS 475 - Globalization and Race in the United States Unit(s): 4
AMCS 476 - Selected Topics in African American Studies Unit(s): 4
AMCS 480 - Research and Methodology Unit(s): 4
AMCS 481 - Special Topics Unit(s): 1-4 (4 Unit(s) Required)
AMCS 495 - Special Studies Unit(s): 1-4
AMCS 499 - Service Learning Internship Unit(s): 1-4

Concentrations

Concentration in Africana Studies (16 units)

Pathways

Students who do not complete the concentration in Africana Studies will select one of the following pathways. The following courses are eligible toward each pathway. However, students can consult with their advisors and the department chair to request an unlisted course count toward the Pathway. All pathways must include at least 8 upper division units. Total units in the Pathway: 16 units.

Program Roadmaps

American Multicultural Studies, BA, Sample Four-Year Plan