Critical Studies of Race/Ethnicity at St. Kate’s
Want to understand race and ethnicity as well as other forms of oppression? A major in critical studies of race and ethnicity (CRST) provides a framework for understanding race and ethnicity in historical, contemporary, national and global contexts.
| Transformative: Students describe the major as challenging yet transformative ... a bridge to knowledge and action. |
Studies are rooted in an understanding of race as a social construct that shapes identity and experience and perpetuates systems of oppression. Using a lens of race/ethnicity, you will critically examine texts, language, media, art, music, statistical records, social structure/systems and the complete array of institutional arrangements.
Work for social justice
A major in critical studies of race and ethnicity helps you build the knowledge, skills and confidence to actively work to dismantle the structural and systemic inequities surrounding notions of race and ethnicity. Studying the diverse racial and ethnic groups within the United States, you become aware of the extent to which class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and ability interact to magnify both privilege and disadvantage.
Your course work, independent research, final portfolio and internship give you 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 broad perspective allows you 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 effectively communicate across lines of difference
- engage in strategizing for social change
St. Kate's
Close Up
