Ethnic and Race Studies

The Department of Ethnic and Race Studies offers  a variety of courses in the following areas:

  • Asian/Asian American Studies (ASN)
  • Africana Studies (AFN)
  • Latino Studies (LAT)
  • Ethnic Studies (ETH)

Courses range from Black Women in the Americas and the Caribbean to Economic Development in the Dominican Republic to An Introduction to the Middle East to Asian American Literature as well as Latin American Theatre and Performance and so much more. You may have a hard time making a choice!

You can either major in Ethnic Studies or use these courses to satisfy liberal arts requirements in literature, the social science disciplines, music and art, or as electives. When you transfer to a four year college, you will get credit for courses in Ethnic and Race Studies through our articulation agreements.

Annual Ethnic and Race Studies Conference

In April 2023, we held our 2nd annual Ethnic and Race Studies Conference, welcoming close to 200 students, faculty and staff from across CUNY. One of the highlights was a screening of the documentary In Search of Bengali Harlem.

Over 300 people attended the film screening and a post screening discussion included leaders and activists in the Bangladeshi community of New York such as Alaudin Ullah, S. Nadia Hussain,  Nahar Alam (NYU Langone Section for Community Health; Andolan)  Nadia Ahmad (Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts) Nesar Bhuyan (from DRUM, Desis Rising Up and Moving) and Shahana Hanif (NYC Councilwoman District 39). We are looking forward to seeing many of you at next years conference!

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) Bridge Initiative

The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) Bridge Initiative is a partnership between Borough of Manhattan Community College and Hunter College that provides student programs and faculty development to support the diverse needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander students at BMCC and Hunter, with a focus on those who are immigrant students, first-generation college students, and English Language Learners.

The Bridge Initiative provides peer mentorship and a supportive community for incoming transfer students to Hunter College. BMCC students who are transferring into Hunter are paired with trained peer mentors, attend small group meetings and are introduced to resources at Hunter College.


Goals

The educational objectives of the Ethnic and Race Studies courses include enhancement of critical thinking processes and refinement of written communication skills. The pedagogical approach is interdisciplinary in concept. Students interested in subjects related to career, liberal arts or pre-professional programs should consult members of the faculty in the Department of Ethnic and Race Studies.

We see the pursuit of self-knowledge as both a truth-seeking project and central to self-empowerment.  We want our students to:

  • Cultivate knowledge of themselves—who they are; how they struggle with living legacies of slavery, colonialism, and racial injustices; how they are made and remade through the politics of the everyday and social movements; and above all what they are capable of achieving.
  • Develop communication skills and creativity.
  • Become imaginative thinkers, good writers, and well-informed global citizens.
  • Shape the path to success in the 21st century.

Department of Ethnic and Race Studies

199 Chambers St, Room S623
New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 220-1370
EthnicStudies@bmcc.cuny.edu

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9 a.m.-5 p.m