Ethnic Studies Requirement:
Ethnic Studies is the examination of historic and contemporary narratives, contributions, struggles, and resistance centered around Black American, Native American, Chicano/Latino/a/e and Asian American (including Arab Americans) communities. Ethnic studies courses focus on these groups’ experiences in the United States. It allows for the examination of social construction of race and racism that is built on community narratives and input around resistance and contributions. It fosters and encourages community responsiveness, social engagement, healing, and hope.
Assembly Bill 101- Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirements was passed in October 2021 requiring a semester of Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement for the graduating class of 2030 and requiring at least one semester of Ethnic Studies be offered beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. In Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), this course will replace the 9th grade Comparative Cultural Geography (CCG) requirement. Ethnic Studies does not delve into international political struggles or comparative examination of how different groups interact outside of the United States. Ethnic Studies builds students’ awareness and their personal and familial connections to their cultures, histories, and contemporary experiences.
Every student has the opportunity to enter Ethnic Studies from their own unique perspective. Students begin the course from an entry point based on their own experiences and identity. Throughout the course, students learn to connect their experiences to the experiences of other communities. The goal is to equip students with the tools to succeed in a society made up of interrelated communities. This course will build critical skills that students can apply throughout their secondary school experience and beyond.
Ethnic Studies Curriculum - Course Descriptions
8th Grade - Introduction to Ethnic Studies
Introduction to Ethnic Studies is a semester long elective class that will focus on introducing students to basic concepts related to the field of Ethnic Studies. The class is broken into 5 units: 1) Identity & Intersectionality, 2) Native American Studies 3) African American Studies 4) Asian and Pacific Islander Studies, and 5) Latinx/Chicanx Studies. Through these units students will learn about histories and experiences of racialized groups in the United States, Students will build on their learning in their 8th grade US History course to show understanding and critical analysis of the experiences of communities of color as they connect to the present day American experiences. Interwoven throughout these units will be themes of “Origins, Immigration and/or Displacement, Oppression, Resistance and Activism, and Solidarity.” The curriculum will be dynamic and fluid because we know that students will engage in rich conversations to help them better understand concepts.Ethnic Studies students will learn to identify injustices and develop skills to dismantle injustices that they encounter. Students will be empowered to use their learning to find ways to promote justice within our Castro Valley school communities.
Piloting Courses for 2024-2025
6th Grade - Identity and Cultures
The Identity and Cultures is a 6 or 9 week course focuses on the exploration and celebration of students’ own identity and how social factors can influence their self-perception. The course provides a framework, a lens and opportunities to discuss identity and racialized experiences of marginalized communities in later grades. Additionally, the course will help students foster empathy and understanding of people's experiences and identities different from their own. The course will include the importance of representation and terms: race, ethnicity, culture, history, identity, stereotypes, discrimination, privilege, prejudice, activism, and resistance. This course will draw on students’ analytical skills, imagination, artistic expressions, and critical thinking skills to understand the content.
9th Grade - Ethnic Studies
Ethnic Studies is a semester long class that focuses on the examination of historic and contemporary narratives, contributions, struggles, and resistance centered around Black/African American, Native American, Chicana/o/Latine, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The Ethnic Studies course will focus on these groups’ experiences in the United States. It will allow for the examination of social construction of race and racism that is built on community narratives and input around resistance, contributions, and solidarity. Students begin the course from an entry point based on their own experiences and identity. Throughout the course, students learn to connect their experiences to the experiences of other communities. The goal is to equip students with the tools to succeed in a society made up of interrelated communities. This course will build critical skills that students can apply throughout their secondary school experience and beyond. Additionally, the course is designed to foster and encourage community responsiveness, social engagement, empathy, healing, and hope.
