News on the Ethnic Studies Course
Ethnic Studies is a new course beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. A two-trimester elective course, Ethnic Studies focuses on the experiences of marginalized groups in the United States.
The class has four major units: identity, immigration, power and oppression, and social justice. It focuses on empowering and encouraging students to take action within their own community.
Megan Volger, current AP European History and World History teacher, said, “It’s different from normal history class in that we’re studying so many different things, not just history. We’re going beyond that.”
Vulgar says recent events such as the BlackInPUSD Instagram made the experience of marginalized groups apparent. She said she has been actively diversifying her own curriculum and partook in the equity anti-racism task force to represent as many voices as possible. When the school district created the course, Volger felt it was an opportunity to continue to “do what I’ve been doing.”
“I was able to hear more of the experiences of our students on campus, and that made me see how valuable this class can be,” Volger said.
Volger strives to shift how history is studied by understanding the bad things that have happened, but also recognizing the people who have resisted the injustices.
She said she hopes that through this class, students will understand their community and existing systemic oppression, and ultimately be empowered to do something about it. For Volger, history is a subject that helps shape students into good citizens, and Ethnic Studies will be a class that encourages students to fight against the injustices that they see on a day-to-day basis.
Volger said her goal for Ethnic Studies is to “help students identify the resistance that has happened, and empower themselves so that they can be part of resistance today to fight the bad things that are still unfortunately happening.”
Ethnic Studies is open to anyone, and has no prerequisite courses. Volger says she recommends everyone to take this class, believing that “no matter what your background is… you would benefit from this class.”
“There is a learning opportunity for everyone, regardless of what your background is: what race you are, or gender or sexuality,” Volger said. “I want every student on campus to see themselves reflected in this class.”For anyone that is interested, has questions about the course, or feels that certain topics should be included in the curriculum, Volger encourages them to reach out and contact her. Her email is mvolger@powayusd.com.