美国，加利福尼亚州和圣塔芭芭拉地区有许多不同种族，种族和文化背景的人。所有这些小组组成了美国马赛克。美国种族研究部审查了这些社区的遗产，贡献和问题。当前重点放在亚裔美国人，非裔美国人，墨西哥裔美国人，美洲原住民和其他有色人种社区。该部门认为，通过检查他人的遗产，人们可以欣赏自己的遗产。民族研究学位可以用于社会工作，社区代理工作，教学等。该系致力于为学生提供知识，个人特质和技能，以在多样化的世界中成功生活和工作。因此，学生准备在多元文化环境中胜任，自信和舒适地开展工作，并拥有适应迅速变化的多元文化环境的工具
The Department of American Ethnic Studies provides a major in Native American Studies. The Native American program is designed to provide an introduction to the Native American experience in North America by means of comprehensive exposure to course-work dealing with the major aspects of Indian life, including history, values, politics, literature, and art.<br> It is the Department's belief that, through an examination of the heritage and contributions of the heritage of others, one can appreciate ones own heritage.<br> The major provides preparation for transfer into four-year colleges and universities.