Ethnic Studies - Ethnic Studies - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre
Students gathering in conversation during the Ray Warren Symposium.
Home / Ethnic Studies Ethnic Studies In one of the most versatile programs at Lewis & Clark, you have the opportunity to make the ethnic studies minor your own. We examine the social, cultural, and historical forces that have shaped racial and ethnic formations in Portland, the United States, and around the world. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Minor in Ethnic Studies? Our program focuses on five themes: colonialism, community formation, diaspora, genocide, and slavery. We explore these and related topics from a variety of perspectives, always conscious of how they intersect with gender, sexuality, class, and nation. Our students graduate with skills in critical thinking, writing, and speaking, and an openness to learning about people, cultures, and societies different from themselves and their own world. Apply Visit What You’ll Study Our interdisciplinary program is dedicated to teaching the construction of categories of race and ethnicity through our five themes. You will take one interdisciplinary core course, Introduction to Ethnic Studies, and a wide selection of electives offered across departments. Many of our students earn course credit while on an overseas program . Outside the classroom, the annual Ray Warren Symposium on Race and Ethnic Studies is organized by a committee of students with support from faculty and staff. This multiday, interdisciplinary event addresses complex topics such as immigration and nationalism, transnational families, and racial inequality. Scholars, students, public figures, writers, artists, and community members come together for a series of workshops, lectures, performances, panel discussions, and a student-curated art exhibit. The symposium ends with the Race Monologues, a powerful event that features a series of personal monologues about racial and ethnic identity written and presented by L&C students of color. Our program also creates critical workshops that respond to current issues as a way to facilitate discussion between the larger student body and Portland, and we regularly engage in dialogue featuring speakers who are experts in their field. Every spring, we celebrate our graduating ethnic studies minors with a dinner hosted by the program director and key faculty members. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Favorite Class
Human Rights in International Affairs with Assistant Professor Suparna Chaudhry and Asian Studies Colloquium with Professor Jennifer Hubbert
Both of these classes combined concepts from my majors together and challenged me academically. Additionally, the professors were extremely supportive of me and my success.
Major: International Affairs and Sociology and Anthropology (double)
Minor: Ethnic Studies
Favorite Class
Education in Complex World with Dr. Alejandra Favela
This was my favorite class because of both the structure of the class and the topics being discussed. Our classes were styled to be very community- and discussion-based. The topics we discussed helped us to better understand the student, teacher, and family perspective of someone going into the K-12 education system, and learning about how other countries handle their education system as well.
Perspectives in Environmental Chemistry with Barbara Balko
I have always been fascinated by how the world works, so this was such a great class to dig into the details. We learned about renewable energy, air pollution, mineral extraction, and measures to prevent climate change. This class was also incredibly fun because it was so hands-on both in the classroom and in the lab.
Race and Ethnicity in the United States with Reiko Hillyer
I took that class my first year at L&C, and it remains one of my favorites because it challenged my previous education the most, and it really opened my eyes to the way that I was falsely educated about our country’s history. It was also one of the first courses that introduced me to concepts of critical race theory. Looking back, that was probably the course that altered my worldviews the most.
Complement Your Education With One of These Majors The most popular majors for our ethnic studies minors are English , Hispanic studies , and sociology and anthropology. What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark As a cochair for the Ray Warren Symposium, we explored how storytelling can be a tool of resistance, power, and oppression that some may overlook. I love being part of the process of creating meaningful events for the campus, and the most exciting part is seeing them come to life. Rocío Yao BA ’24 International Affairs and Sociology and Anthropology (double) | Ethnic Studies | Cuidad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Guangzhou, China; Northglenn, Colorado, United States More about Rocío My minor in ethnic studies has taught me about social constructs and has provided a more complete and nuanced understanding of present-day circumstances. Alicia McMahon BA ’25 History | Ethnic Studies | Springfield, Pennsylvania More about Alicia What I love about my ethnic studies minor is learning the history of things that I never was taught in K-12 education, and I get to dive deeper into the missing gaps. It really opened my eyes and I became more curious about what other gaps needed to be filled in my history education. Damaris Medina BA ’25 Psychology | Ethnic Studies | Washington, D.C. More about Damaris What Can You Do With a Minor in Ethnic Studies? Our alumni use their minor in ethnic studies in a variety of careers in nonprofit organizations, academia, and advocacy work. Many go on to pursue advanced degrees in American studies, anthropology, history, law, and other disciplines. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and are engaged in issues central to ethnic studies in our local and international community. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Meet the Professors Our department has an exceptionally strong creative writing program , and our major requirements encourage students to take courses in both the study of literature and creative writing (poetry, fiction, nonfiction). Associate Professor of English Kristin Fujie More about Kristin I absolutely love how connected L&C students are—to each other, to our campus community, to their own communities, to their professors, to their fields of study, and to their personal passions and interests. Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies Magalí Rabasa More about Magalí The liberal arts literally refers to freedom. It is a way of learning that never ends and in which the sum is greater than its parts. Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. Associate Professor of History David Campion More about David 29+38 Lewis & Clark offers 29 majors and 38 minors . 12:1 Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. 4-5-6 Lewis & Clark’s 4-5-6 Commitment can help you make the most of your future. Equity We are the only liberal arts school in Oregon on Colleges of Distinction’s “Best Equity and Inclusion” list for 2025–26. 52 nationalities represented in our undergraduate student body Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition . Find Your People Students can join a variety of student-run organizations that relate to their ethnic studies degree, like the Ray Warren Symposium on Race and Ethnic Studies and Students for Transformative Action, Abolition, Resilience (STAAR) . Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list ? Start something new and build your own community of peers! The most important thing I learned at Lewis & Clark was the transformative power of community. Shalini Hanstad Sociology and Anthropology | Ethnic Studies | Seattle, Washington and Bangalore, India More about Shalini L&C gave me the skills to critically analyze information resources and sort through them to present clear, thorough research. Being able to parse through large amounts of information has really helped me through my library science degree. Lauren Fleming BA ’19 History | Political Science and Ethnic Studies More about Lauren Featured News Rabasa Honored Again: Continuing the Legacy of Inclusion and Advocacy Magalí Rabasa Honored with 2026 Kristi Williams Staff & Faculty Award For the second time in four years, Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies Magalí Rabasa has been recognized for her unwavering commitment to student advocacy and social justice. Read the story More News and Events → Magalí Rabasa Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies, Director of Ethnic Studies mrabasa@lclark.edu 503-768-7482 Like us on Facebook Instagram Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
