The Comparative Ethnic Studies Program offers an undergraduate major through the Committee Interdisciplinary Major, an undergraduate certificate in Comparative Ethnic Studies, and an undergraduate certificate in Hmong Diaspora Studies.
Ethnic Studies, Comparative Courses
ETHNIC 101 The Multi-Racial Origins of American Cultures
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Origins and development of racial and ethnic identities in the Americas, with specific attention to Wisconsin history and contemporary issues.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: 2 hrs lec, 1 section. Not retakable for cr; may be repeated for higher grade.
General Education Requirements: CD, HU
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 102 Transnational Migrations: People on the Move
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Modern and contemporary social and cultural processes of migration and identity; role of law as 'gatekeeping'; history of nativism, interethnic relations, and community formation. Experiences of migrants, refugees & asylum-seekers.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD, HU
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 192 First-Year Seminar:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
The specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
General Education Requirements: HU
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 193 First-Year Seminar:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
The specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
General Education Requirements: SS
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2021, Fall 2020.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 199 Independent Study: Lower Division
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
For further information, consult Ethnic Studies coordinator.
Prerequisites: 2.25 gpa on at least 12 graded cr; writ cons instr & prog coord.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2016, Summer 2009, Spring 2007, Fall 2006.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 200 Racial Minorities in the United States
3 cr. Undergraduate.
A survey of the historical and the contemporary experiences of American Indians, Asians, African-Americans, and Hispanics in the United States.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: SS, CD
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 245 Indians, Artists, and Conquistadores: The U.S. Southwest
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Interaction of diverse Indian, European, and Latino cultures in the U.S. southwest.
Prerequisites: none.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 250 Selected Topics in Ethnic Studies:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
This course will focus on one individual ethnic group, or one particular aspect of an ethnic group.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Fall 2011, Fall 2010.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 255 Migration and Gender: Starbucks, Sex Trafficking, and Nannies
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Changing roles of women in the global marketplace; effects of migration on gender and family life.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of Ethnic 250 with similar title.
General Education Requirements: CD, HU
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 265 Hmong Americans: History, Culture, and Contemporary Life
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Hmong American history, the effects of the Vietnam War on Hmong culture, and the history of the resulting refugee immigrants in America.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Ethnic 265 & Hmong 265 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.
General Education Requirements: SS, CD
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 275 Queer Migrations
3 cr. Undergraduate.
How gender, race, and sexuality shape the migration processes; how concerns about sexuality shape U.S. immigration and citizenship policy; how mass migrations transform diverse queer communities.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: ETHNIC 275 and LGBT 275 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. No credit for students with credit in ETHNIC 250 with similar topic.
General Education Requirements: HU, CD
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 285 Cultures of Contemporary Russia
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Ethnic conflict and struggles over language, territory, culture, and politics after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of Ethnic 250 w/similar title.
Last Taught: Spring 2012, Spring 2010.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 289 Internship in Ethnic Studies, Lower Division
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of basic principles of ethnic studies in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: introductory course in ethnic studies; 2.25 GPA and consent of supervising faculty member.
Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. Retakable to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 297 Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: UWinteriM 2013, UWinteriM 2011, Summer 2005, UWinteriM 2005.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 299 Ad Hoc:
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Summer 1997, Summer 1990, Spring 1986.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 325 Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Milwaukee:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Influxes into the U.S. of migrants from Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere; evolution of conflict and division; particular attention to Civil Rights and deindustrialization.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
General Education Requirements: HU, CD
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 350 Advanced Topics in Comparative Ethnic Studies:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Various advanced topics in the field of comparative ethnic studies.
Prerequisites: Ethnic 101(P); 102(P), or 250(P), or cons instr.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2011, Fall 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2009.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 355 Muslims and American Popular Culture
3 cr. Undergraduate.
History of Muslims in American pop culture; sub-cultures of various Muslim ethnic groups from the perspective of film, literature, and music.
Prerequisites: jr st or Ethnic 101(P) or 102(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2009.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 360 Villainy, Sex, & Blood: Race, Gender & Ethnicity in Pop Culture
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Exploration of the ways in which popular culture creates, maintains, and challenges notions of race, gender, and ethnicity throughout the American historical experience.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of Ethnic 250 w/ similar topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 375 Global Violence, Disease, and Death
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Development schemas, health policies, and the role of international organizations in global incidents of suffering, violence, and death.
Prerequisites: jr st or Ethnic 101(P) or 102(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2019, Spring 2018.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 489 Internship in Ethnic Studies, Upper Division
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of advanced principles of ethnic studies in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: junior standing; 300-level or above course in ethnic studies; 2.25 GPA and consent of supervising faculty member.
Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. Retakable to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2019, Fall 2017.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 497 Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: UWinteriM 2014, UWinteriM 2013, UWinteriM 2011, Summer 2005.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 499 Ad Hoc:
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 550 Senior Seminar in Comparative Ethnic Studies:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Focus on specific aspects (social, cultural) of ethnic and racial identity, based on readings and presentation of original student research.
Prerequisites: sr st; cons instr.
Course Rules: Topic varies; not retakable for cr. May be repeated for higher grade. Satisfies L&S Seminar req.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Spring 2008, Spring 2006, Summer 1997.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
ETHNIC 699 Advanced Independent Work
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
See Independent Study. For further information consult Ethnic Studies coord.
Prerequisites: jr st; 2.5 gpa; writ cons instr, prog coord, & asst dean for SAS.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2012, Summer 2011, Spring 2011, Spring 2010.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
Hmong Studies Courses
HMONG 105 First-Semester Hmong
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Beginning Hmong for students with no previous knowledge of the language.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: No credit for students with credit in HMONG 107, HMONG 108, or LINGUIS 105.
Last Taught: Fall 2011.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 107 First-Semester Hmong Literacy
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Introduction to literacy skills in Hmong. Intended for speakers of Hmong.
Prerequisites: none.
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 108 Second-Semester Hmong Literacy
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Continuation of Hmong 107(FLL 107/Linguis 161).
Prerequisites: Hmong 107(FLL 107/Linguis 161)(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 192 First-Year Seminar:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
General Education Requirements: HU, CD
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 193 First-Year Seminar:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
General Education Requirements: CD, SS
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 199 Independent Study:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
Independent work under supervision of faculty or academic staff member. For further information, consult the program director. Students must submit a study proposal.
Prerequisites: 2.0 GPA; consent of instructor, program director, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
Course Rules: Retakable to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2023, Summer 2017.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 207 Third-Semester Hmong Literacy
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Continuation of HMONG 108.
Prerequisites: HMONG 108(P) or consent of instructor (based on instructor placement).
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 208 Fourth-Semester Hmong Literacy
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Continuation of HMONG 207.
Prerequisites: HMONG 207(P) or consent of instructor (based on instructor placement).
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 265 Hmong Americans: History, Culture, and Contemporary Life
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Hmong American history, the effects of the Vietnam War on Hmong culture, and the history of the resulting refugee immigrants in America.
Prerequisites: none.
Course Rules: Ethnic 265 & Hmong 265 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.
General Education Requirements: CD, SS
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 289 Internship in Hmong Studies, Lower Division:
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of basic principles of Hmong Studies in business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: 2.50 GPA and consent of supervising faculty member.
Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hrs in internship. Retakable to 6 cr max.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 296 UROP Apprenticeship:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
Undergraduate research participation in a project developed with a supervising member of the faculty or staff.
Prerequisites: acceptance to UROP; prior or conc reg in UROP seminar.
Course Rules: One credit for 45 hrs research. Retakable to 9 cr max in any combination of UROP apprenticeship courses.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 297 Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM-sponsored program before course work levels, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially-prepared course work.
Prerequisites: acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 299 Ad Hoc:
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period.
Prerequisites: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: Requires only program dir & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem. Retakable w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Summer 2019.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 489 Internship in Hmong Studies, Upper Division
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of basic principles of Hmong Studies in business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: junior standing; 2.50 GPA and consent of supervising faculty member.
Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hrs in internship. Retakable to 6 cr max.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 496 Advanced UROP Apprenticeship:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
Advanced undergraduate research participation in a project developed with a supervising member of the faculty or staff.
Prerequisites: acceptance to UROP; prior UROP apprenticeship or equiv rsrch experience.
Course Rules: One credit for 45 hrs research. Retakable to 9 cr max in any combination of UROP apprenticeship courses.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 497 Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM-sponsored program before course work levels, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially-prepared course work.
Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: UWinteriM 2018.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 499 Ad Hoc:
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period.
Prerequisites: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: Requires only program dir & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem. Retakable w/chg in topic.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/
HMONG 699 Advanced Independent Study:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
Advanced level independent work under supervision of a Hmong Studies faculty or academic staff member. Students must submit a study proposal.
Prerequisites: jr st; 2.0 GPA; consent of instructor, program coordinator, and Assistant Dean of Student Academic Services.
Course Rules: Retakable with change in topic.
Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, UWinteriM 2022, Summer 2021.
Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/