weaving pattern
Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies

Major Requirements

The Department of Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate major in ethnic studies leading to a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree. Majors construct their programs in consultation with an IRES faculty advisor.

Four-Year Degree Plan

Major Map

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Ethnic Studies Major Requirements

A total of 48 credits is required, distributed as follows:

Lower Division (100-200 level classes)

Students must complete 12 credits from the lower division, including:

One term of ES 101: Introduction to Ethnic Studies (4 credits, generally always offered)

One course from the list below (4 credits, each offered 1-2 times per year).

  • ES 250: Introduction to African American studies
  • ES 252: Introduction to Asian American studies
  • ES 254: Introduction to Chicano/Latino studies
  • ES 256: Introduction to Native American studies
  • ES 258: Introduction to Pacific Islander Studies

One additional 100- or 200-level course (4 credits, can include any other 200-level course from the list above)

Upper Division (300-400 level classes)

Students must complete 36 credits from the upper division, including:

  • Six Ethnic Studies courses at the 300 level (24 credits total). Note: Three of these courses may be approved cross-listed courses taken in other departments.
  • One term of ES 301: Theoretical Perspectives in Ethnic Studies (4 credits, offered every fall)
  • Two 400-level courses (8 credits total)

Other Requirements and Course Policies

  • At least 24 upper-division credits must be taken in residence at the University of Oregon.
  • All courses counting toward the major and minor must be taken for letter grades and completed with grades of C or higher.
  • Ethnic Studies majors must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in courses applied to the major.
  • Students majoring in Ethnic Studies may apply ES 401 [Research] and ES 405 [Reading and Conference] credits towards their major degree only if those courses were taken for a grade and passed with a grade of C or higher.
  • ES 409 [Practicum] credits may be applied towards the major or minor if taken for a grade or on a pass/no pass basis.
  • A maximum of 12 credits in cross-published courses may be applied to the major in Ethnic Studies. Specific details and course approvals must be obtained from the IRES Department.