Critical Mixed Race Studies

Program Scope

The Critical Mixed Race Studies (CMRS) minor is a multidisciplinary program that provides undergraduate students with academic approaches to the histories, experiences, and cultures of mixed heritage, mixed race, and transnational adoptee individuals, families, and communities. CMRS courses address mono-racialization within the structure of racial hierarchies; historical and contemporary constructions of mixed race within legal, scientific, and cultural spheres nationally and transnationally; the mutability of race and the porosity of racial boundaries in order to critique processes of racialization and racialized social stratification through colonialism and imperialism (e.g. mestizaje, mestiƈagem, métissage, mischling, blood quantum, etc.); and the determined refusal of mono-racialization by multiple mixed heritage, mixed race, and transnational adoptee individuals, families, and communities. The CMRS curriculum takes into account the critical role of transnational globalization processes in creating shared oppressions and coalitional resistance for mixed heritage, mixed race, and transnational adoptee people.

Minor in Critical Mixed Race Studies

The minor consists of 18 units of undergraduate study. No more than two courses can be taken credit/no credit for the minor. Students must have maintained at least a 2.0 grade point average in minor courses. Consistent with current University policy, courses for meeting the requirements of this minor may, as appropriate, be used simultaneously for meeting general education or credential requirements, including the requirement for complementary studies. Written declaration of the pursuit of the minor is not necessary prior to enrollment in any of its required or elective courses. Students should try to complete ETHS 110 before taking any further courses in the minor (may be taken concurrently). At least half of all courses towards the minor degree must be upper-division. Mandatory courses are one introductory course (ETHS 110); three courses from three different Ethnic Focus areas A through D.  In addition, one course is to be selected from the Comparative section. Finally, one of the applied courses (teaching, field research or internship, special study) fulfills the remaining three units needed for the minor. Additional courses may count towards the minor upon consultation with the CM