Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity - BA

St. Kate's critical studies of race and ethnicity (CRST) major provides students with a framework for understanding race and ethnicity in historical, contemporary, national, and global contexts. This field of study uses the lens of race/ethnicity to critically examine texts, language, media, art, music, statistical records, social structure/systems, and the complete array of institutional arrangements. This exciting major is unique - one of few of its kind in the state. Growing racial and ethnic diversity in the State of Minnesota and St. Kate's own diverse student body make this major increasingly relevant for all students and make St. Kate's an excellent choice for those who wish to pursue this area of study.

As a CRST major, students will engage in an interdisciplinary study of race and ethnicity through courses that are cross-listed in several departments in St. Kate's, including art, biology, economics, English, history, philosophy, sociology, communication studies and women's studies. This broad perspective will allow students to analyze issues of racial and ethnic identity and perspective; examine individual, institutional and systematic racism; critique race-based policies and socio-cultural representatives; learn to more effectively communicate across lines of difference; and engage in strategizing for social change.

As students study the diverse racial and ethnic groups within the United States, they will become aware of the extent to which class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and ability interact to magnify privilege/disadvantage. This major will help students to build the knowledge, skills and confidence to actively work to dismantle the structural and systemic inequities surrounding notions of race and ethnicity. Students' course work, independent research, final portfolio and internship will give them the ability to work across lines of difference and recognize ways individuals are privileged or not privileged because they are members of certain racial or ethnic groups.

This major is offered in the College for Women only.

Curriculum

Required Courses
CRST 2050WFoundations of Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity4
CRST 3510Sociology of Race and Ethnicity4
CRST 4604Internship4
CRST 4850Senior Seminar4
Select four courses from the list below:16
(All of the courses are listed under both the "home" department and the CRST Department, and should be taken under the CRST Department designation.)
Students are advised to check prerequisites prior to planning a program of study
Two must be from the arts and humanities
Two must be from the sciences or social sciences
One course cross-listed with WOST
One must be a 3000 level course with a global focus
Communicating across Cultures, Identities and Differences 1
Leadership and the Art of Persuasion
Independent Study
Economics of Social Issues
Short Fiction (Reading Race and Ethnicity)
ENGL 2240
(Plays by August Wilson)
Literature in Translation
Women and Literature (Women Writers of Color)
Women and Literature (Literature and Social Structure)
Language as Power
Sociocultural Aspects of Dress
Survey of U.S. Political and Social History, 1600-1900
History of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights in the U.S.
Women in America to 1920
Biomedical Ethics
Feminist Philosophy
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict 1
Challenging Oppressions, Civic Engagement and Change
Rule-makers and Rule-breakers: Deviance and Social Control
Social Movements-Social Change
Family, Identity and Inequality
Cultural Anthropology 1
Criminal Justice: From Policing to Punishment
Women's Issues from Global Perspectives 1
Hispanics in the United States
Senior Seminar
Topics Courses
Topics courses that have been approved are listed below: 2
Topics (The Harlem Renaissance)
Topics (History and Geography of the American Southwest)
Topics (Sociology and the Politics of Performance)
Topics (Oppression and Liberation in the Bible)
Total Credits32
1

Denotes global component 

2

Topics courses are designated in the annual schedule of courses. 

Recommended Course
Select one of the following:
Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Statistical Analysis

CRST majors fulfill the Writing Requirement for Majors and the fourth writing requirement by completing CRST 2050W Foundations of Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity and CRST 4850W Senior Seminar. They fulfill the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with two other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000W The Reflective Woman and CORE 3990W Global Search for Justice.