This social studies course explores race, ethnicity, and identity through the lens of California’s diverse past and present, with a focus on the experiences and contributions of African American, Chicanx/Latinx, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities. Grounded in the foundational disciplines of Ethnic Studies, students will examine social systems, movements, and civic responsibility, analyzing how these forces have shaped both California and the broader United States. Through engagement with primary and secondary sources, class discussions, and project-based learning, students will strengthen their reading, writing, research, and critical thinking skills - all of which are needed to analyze diverse perspectives and reflect on complex social issues through analysis of case studies.