Mexican/Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary area of study that is comparative in scope and draws from the social and behavioral sciences as well as the humanities and the arts. Our local Associates of Arts program offers a variety of courses regarding the study of Latin America and the Chicanx and Latinx experiences at a local and transnational level. The aim of Mexican/Latin American Studies is to support students in developing a critical consciousness and an understanding of the social, political, cultural, and economic forces that have shaped the histories and current day realities of the Latina/o Diaspora.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Research: Evaluate the development of the field of Chicana/Chicano and Latina/Latino Studies, and utilize research methodologies and scholarship within the field to produce research papers.
- Analysis of Issues: Effectively employ social science methodologies in the analysis of issues related to Chicanx and Latinx Studies.
- History: Identify and describe the general history of Chicana/Chicano and Latina/Latino people in the Americas.
Career Opportunities
Many employers are looking for well rounded students that receive the pedagogical and curricular exposure that is the norm in our department. In an increasingly diverse and complex global society, our degrees give students the training to participate and lead. Many of our students pursue careers in education, non-profit leadership, law, social services, public administration, community organizing, business, health, journalism, the arts, communications and more.
Local Degree Requirements
Core Required Courses (9 units)
- M/LAT 33: Introduction to Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies (3 units)
- M/LAT 34: History of Latinos in the United States: 1800 to Present (3 units)
- M/LAT 35: Women of Color (3 units)
- Note: Students may substitute AFRAM 35 OR ASAME 35 OR NATAM 35 for the requirement, but M/LAT 35 is preferred
Arts and Humanities (min 3 units)
- M/LAT 30A: Survey of Latina/Latino Film (3 units)
- M/LAT 30B: Survey of Latin American Film (3 units)
- M/LAT 32: African Heritage of Latin America
- Note: Students may substitute AFRAM 18 for the requirement, but M/LAT 32 is preferred
- M/LAT 36: Survey of Latina/o Literature (3 units)
- M/LAT 37: Latinx Culture: Music, Art, and Theater (3 units)
History and Social Sciences (min 3 units)
- M/LAT 12: United States Relations with Mexico and Latin America (3 units)
- M/LAT 19: History of the Mexican American (3 units)
- M/LAT 23: Psychology of Latinas and Latinos (3 units)
- M/LAT 31: Survey of Chicana/Latina Women (3 units)
- M/LAT 32: African Heritage of Latin America (3 units)
- Note: Students may substitute AFRAM 18 for the requirement, but M/LAT 32 is preferred. AFRAM or M/LAT 32 can only be used for either History and Social Sciences OR Arts and Humanities, not both.
Comparative Ethnic Studies (min 3 units)
Note: ETHST 1 is recommended if you plan to complete the Social Justice Transfer Degree in Ethnic Studies
- ETHS 1: Intro to Ethnic Studies (3 units)
- ETHS 3: Race, Gender and Sports (3 units)
- ETHS 12: Economics and Social Change: Racial Conflict and Class in America (3 units)
- EHTS 13: Introduction to Community Based Research in Urban America (3 units)
- ETHS 14: Community Building and Transformation in Urban America (3 units)
- ETHS 30: Introduction to Race, Gender and Health (3 units)
- ETHS 50: Introduction to Race, Class and Schools (3 units)
Total Major Units: 18
