What does the debate over California’s ethnic studies curriculum reveal about how the United States decides whose knowledge is included or excluded in education
Prompt: What does the debate over California’s ethnic studies curriculum reveal about how the United States decides whose knowledge is included or excluded in education, and how might this compare to global efforts, such as Australia’s push to “indigenise the curriculum,” to challenge Eurocentrism and promote the decolonization of education?
Background: California became the first state to require ethnic studies for high school graduation, aiming to challenge Eurocentric curricula and bring in voices and histories often excluded from traditional education. While many support ethnic studies as a step toward the decolonization of education, critics have raised concerns about its content and implementation. This controversy reflects wider struggles over how education systems determine what knowledge counts. A similar debate is unfolding in Australia, where the University of Sydney has begun a major initiative to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge across its curriculum, sparking both enthusiasm and criticism.
Guidelines: This essay should be 1200 words, double spaced, using 12-point font. This does not include your page of references. You must cite BOTH sources from class as well as outside sources. Outside sources can be academic or news related but must come from reputable sites. Include in-text citations as well as a reference cited page at the end of your essay using either Chicago or MLA style, but please choose one and be consistent. You should have 6-10 sources in total. Remember that citations are required for both paraphrasing and direct quotes from either texts or lecture (please keep direct quotes to one sentence). Please pay careful attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
No use of AI is permitted. Use of AI will result in an automatic fail for the assignment. The goal of this assignment is for you to develop and use your own voice in response to this prompt.
Note: Use concepts from the course materials (lectures, readings and videos) to respond to the prompt. I am not asking you to summarize the readings. I am not asking for your unsupported opinions. I am asking you to make your own coherent and well-supported argument about the topic. Cite specific concepts, very short quotes, and examples from the course materials as evidence to support your own argument.
Articles to use:
● “It was a milestone for progressive education in California. Then it unraveled,” The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/jul/07/ethnic-studies-c alifornia-antisemitism
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/jul/07/ethnic-studies-california-antisemitism
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/jul/07/ethnic-studies-california-antisemitism
● “This high school course is dividing districts across California,” Politico https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/20/this-high-school-course-is-dividing-dist ricts-across-california-00299498
● Decolonization of higher education in South Africa (pdf is attached) ● Indigenous education in USA and Australia (pdf is attached) ● Use this video: Stolen Generations
https://youtu.be/aDuxRddyZQY?si=PjaRZgZQGvX1McmN ● Find an academic article from a reputable website that supports the argument. ● Find an academic article from a reputable website that supports the argument.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/20/this-high-school-course-is-dividing-districts-across-california-00299498
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/20/this-high-school-course-is-dividing-districts-across-california-00299498
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