As ethnic studies at CSUB currently exists as a concentration within the interdisciplinary studies department, that concentration will now be moved into its own department. This will allow Dr. Moraga and Dr. Salisbury to focus solely on teaching ethnic studies rather than having to also teach unrelated courses that are part of interdisciplinary studies.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for us to be a department. It’s so much more of a solid foundation,” Dr. Salisbury said. “This gives us a chance to be active members of own department, to decide our future, to decide what the curriculum is. We get a seat at the table as a department in terms of representation.”
The decision to form a department comes after the state implemented Assembly Bill 1460, which requires students take a three-unit ethnic studies course, starting with 2024-25 graduates. All CSU campuses were required to offer an introduction to ethnic studies course starting this academic year.
The CSU Board of Trustees approved the adoption of an ethnic studies Area F general education requirement last year.
Dr. Salisbury said the course has been a success this fall and that the sections available for spring have quickly filled up, even though only freshmen this year are required to take the course.
“There’s clearly a lot of interest from students beyond those just trying to meet the requirement,” she said. “Our students want to learn about themselves. They want to learn about where they came from.”
With the formation of an ethnic studies department, CSUB will be able to hire more staff and bulk up course offerings to meet demand. Some of the courses that are being created focus on pop culture, politics and activism as well as Afrofuturism.
“I’m a firm believer that this can be a highlighting department if we let it grow and let it be what it can be,” Dr. Salisbury said.
Now that the goal of getting an ethnic studies department approved has been achieved, Dr. Salisbury said the next step is to establish a bachelor’s degree program. That may take all of next school year to prepare for, however.
“There’s a lot of checks and balances that need to be done,” she said. “We’re going to make sure we have one of the best programs in the state. That’s our ambition.”
In the meantime, Dr. Salisbury expects the new department will be up and running for the start of the new academic year in 2022.
“I think we’re going to lay our basic foundation pretty quickly. The framework of the department is coming together," she said. "I’m enjoying the victory for the moment and just basking in the enjoyment. There’ll be plenty of time to roll our sleeves up in January. Right now, it’s all roses.”