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The Ethnic Studies Program at Saint Mary's College of California takes a critical multidisciplinary approach to addressing issues of power, privilege, and resistance through critical thinking, applied theory, activism, and social justice praxis.
Ethnic Studies students engage dynamic comparative multiracial and multiethnic perspectives. The program employs an intersectional theoretical lens to examine race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality, legal status, Indigenous nationhood, and other dimensions of identity and lived experience.
Through course work, research, and community engagement, Ethnic Studies students explore constructions of race, ethnicity, and community within the U.S. and beyond, with particular attention paid to African American, Asian American, Latinx, Native American, and Pacific Islander communities.
The Ethnic Studies approach to teaching and learning engages many academic fields, including: anthropology, the arts, communication, disability studies, economics, history, politics, psychology, queer studies, sociology, theology and religious studies, and women & gender studies. Ethnic Studies students examine issues of social justice, colonialism, discrimination, immigration, and globalization as well as the social, political, and cultural contributions historically marginalized groups have made to society.
Ethnic Studies embodies the College’s Lasallian commitment to social justice, respect for all persons, and the fostering of an inclusive community.
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Dear Campus Community,
On behalf of the Ethnic Studies Program, I extend my solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the historical struggle for Black liberation in this country. I condemn the recent murders committed by police and white supremacists of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others not represented in the media. Now more than ever, we need educators and educational institutions to unequivocally stand in support of our Black, Brown, and students and employees of color as they struggle with the senseless, traumatic, and the disproportionate death in their communities from police violence on top of the disproportionate mortality of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. This moment is a part of the long history of oppression and dehumanization against Black, Afro-Latinx, Latinx, Indigenous, AAPI, LGBTQ+, and womyn by systemic power structures embedded in the ideology of white supremacy.
I condemn the perpetual surveillance, policing, and militarization of law enforcement throughout this country. I condemn the police violence on journalists. I condemn the police provocateurs who incite violence to de-legitimize and distract from peaceful protests, an inherent right in every democracy. Yet, I believe that symbolic gestures and statements are not enough. To that end, I urge us to support the following efforts:
Another world is possible.
In strength and love,
Loan Dao, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director
Ethnic Studies Program
St. Mary’s College of California
AY 2020/2021
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Sept. 15-Oct. 15 marks Latinx Heritage Month! To celebrate our diverse Latinx community, we’re high lighting student leaders and asking what...
For all graduating students, both undergraduate and graduate, who would like to apply to be a part of the Cultural Graduate web pages that...
This past fall semester, William Harris ('24) took Professor Loan Dao’s Intro to Ethnic Studies course. For his final project, he submitted...
When the COVID-19 pandemic caused students to begin distance learning from home, Valentina Velasquez ’20 took the opportunity to support...
Ethnic Studies Program Director
Dr. Loan Dao
Office: Filippi Academic Hall, Room 240-11
Phone: 925-631-4053
Email: ldt2@stmarys-ca.edu
Administrative Staff (Part-time):
Ms. Skye Ward
Email: dsw1@stmarys-ca.edu