By Jayson Edgerle
Reporter
Ethnic studies has been a recent and growing addition to the interdisciplinary program here at CSU Bakersfield. To sum up what ethnic studies entails, it’s the study of the interplay of ethnic relations and power dynamics throughout the world. One of the newest professors to teach in this field is Dr. Jorge Moraga.
Hailing from CSU Northridge, Moraga received degrees in History and Central American Studies in his 2012 graduation. Immediately afterwards, he applied to for the Ph.D program at Washington State University from which he graduated in May 2017.
As with most people, once his education was complete, the difficult task of getting a job awaited Moraga. And getting the job he currently holds wasn’t an easy feat.
“The academic job market is very tight right now,” explained Moraga. “It’s very marginal pickings. When this (job) came out, it was actually a blessing. So, I’m very appreciative to the chancellors’ office and the CSU Task Force on Ethnic Studies, which is the reason why I’m here and my colleague, Dr. Tracy Salliburg is here too because of the institutional initiative to develop Ethnic Studies across the CSU system.”
Dr. Moraga described the process that initially started him down the path of Ethnic Studies.
“When I was an undergrad, I believe I was going into my junior year, Ethnic Studies in Arizona was mandated by law to no longer allowed to be taught and was banned in the State of Arizona,” explains Moraga. “So, with a mentor, Dr. Rudy Acuneia, he took a couple students and myself to Arizona, so we got to see the border for the first time. As an undergraduate, that had a lasting legacy on me because it gave me a life mission.”
Moraga explained in detail how ethnic studies has been a positive force within the culture of the United States. Understanding the master narratives taught in schools and providing a voice to those who are usually left out of history books is key to cultural understanding of one another.
Upon his arrival last year, Moraga has been teaching various classes, particularly Junior Diversity courses, such as Ethnicity and Culture.
He clearly enjoys his work teaching at CSUB.
“It’s pretty cool to try and provide a critical, upper division course work but at same time understanding that students are coming with very introductory skill sets in relation to those topics and content covered. So, I have yet to have a class that didn’t meet my expectations and completely run with it.”
Dr. Lena Taub Robles, Assistant Professor of French, stated in an email that Moraga has a lot to offer the department.
“Dr. Moraga is a wonderful new colleague to have at CSUB. He has lots of great ideas and projects that he plans on developing here. His energy and work ethic are contagious, and I look forward to collaborating with him.”
Moraga plans on having a Special Topics course on Chicana Feminism.
