Contemporary Perspectives on Ethnic Studies: A Reader

Contemporary Perspectives on Ethnic Studies: A Reader provides students with a collection of articles written by scholars and experts that introduce them to the substance, relevance, and practice of contemporary ethnic studies. The anthology offers readers historical perspectives, modern research, and a spectrum of theories to emphasize the diverse voices, as well as the challenges and opportunities, within the discipline.

Over the course of eight chapters, students read enlightening articles about American Indian women in higher education, the politics of gerrymandering, the Muslim experience in America, and mass incarceration and the African American population. Dedicated chapters discuss Asian Americans as victim and success stories, the origins and causes of the Civil Rights Movement, the current state of same-sex marriage, and significant modern movements, including Black Lives Matter and #MeToo. Students read a case study about migration and immigration in the United States and essays on the challenges of multiculturalism versus pluralism in America.

Contemporary Perspectives on Ethnic Studies is an ideal resource for courses within the discipline, especially those with focus on the current state and future of the practice.

Wayne E. Allen is an associate professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at Minnesota State University-Mankato. He earned his Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He has worked with diverse Native American and Native Canadian populations for over 40 years, Nepali peoples for 15 years, and immigrant Somali, Hmong, Ethiopian, Sudanese, West African, Central American, and South Asian peoples for 18 years. He has authored/coauthored four books in the discipline.

Kebba Darboe is a professor and the chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies at Minnesota State University-Mankato. He earned his Ph.D. in sociology from South Dakota State University. Dr. Darboe has published numerous scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals and has authored/coauthored three books in the discipline.