Oakland/Washington, D.C.

City: Oakland, California and Washington, D.C.
Major: Open to All

Dates and Resources

Immersive Independent Study: Exploring Black Immigrant Food Geographies through Ethiopian Cuisine

Are you interested in exploring cultural heritage, foodways, and geography through an immersive experience in Ethiopian eateries within the United States? The Ethnic Studies department in collaboration with International Education and Global Engagement at Stanislaus State is offering a one-credit special course as an independent study, co-taught by Professor Goshu Tefera and Professor Jose Diaz-Garayua. This program combines field research with immersive experiential learning, providing a unique opportunity to engage with Ethiopian communities in Oakland and Washington, DC.

This program is designed for motivated students eager to deepen their understanding of Black immigrant geographies through diasporic eateries. Throughout the course, participants will examine Ethiopian restaurants as cultural and communal spaces and conduct field research on topics such as belonging, intergenerational memory, food practices, and community resilience and sustainability within the Ethiopian diaspora. Two immersive field visits are planned, one to Oakland in February and a multi-day trip to Washington, DC, in late April or early May 2025.

Course Dates: January – May 2025
Field Visits: Oakland (February) and Washington, DC (late April/early May)
Course Credit: 1 unit (Independent Study)
Eligibility: Open to all majors; however, preference may be given to students studying Ethnic Studies, Geography, or related fields
Funding: External funding is available to support related travel expenses.
Application Deadline: To Be Determined.