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A new program in the College is offering students the opportunity to explore the history of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States and around the world, to develop a deep knowledge of African and Latin American cultures, and to reflect on the dynamics of racial and ethnic identity in the age of globalization.
 Beginning this fall, Case undergraduates can pursue a minor in ethnic studies, with areas of concentration in African-American, Latino/a-American, African, Latin American, and global studies. In addition to several core courses specific to ethnic studies, the program will draw upon existing courses and faculty from several disciplines, including history, anthropology, sociology, and modern languages.
Several new courses were developed this fall for the ethnic studies program, including "Introduction to Latino/a Studies," taught by Jacqueline Nanfito, professor of modern languages and literatures, and "Introduction to the Study of Race and Ethnicity," the introductory course for ethnic studies, taught by Atwood Gaines, professor of anthropology, biomedical ethics, nursing, and psychiatry.
"The course is a thought-provoking challenge to assumptions about social differences and systems of social classification," Gaines said, "showing that such things are not natural, but rather are human creations with significant consequences."
New courses being offered in Spring 2005 include "Women in Developing Countries" and "Introduction to Latin American Studies."
Gilbert Doho, associate professor of French in the department of modern languages and literatures, directs the ethnic studies program. Doho, a native of Cameroon who earned his Ph.D. at the Sorbonne, focuses his research on twentieth-century French drama, francophone studies, and African performing arts and cinema.
Doho said ethnic studies has long been an area of interest, and he has many goals for the minor at Case.
"We want students to examine the relationships among racial/ethnic groups and the processes of racial/ethnic formation. We also want to help our students develop competencies for working with people of different racial/ethnic backgrounds and foster an understanding of racial/ethnic diversity," he said. Doho hopes to offer an ethnic studies major after three years, and then build a graduate program.
In addition to courses, the ethnic studies program will have an experiential component. Students will be encouraged to do field work with ethnically based programs and organizations in the community.
For more information on the ethnic studies program, visit www.case.edu/artsci/ethnic.
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