The Chicana/o Studies Minor provides you with an interdisciplinary course of study focusing on the experiences of people of Latin American descent in the United States, especially those from Mexico. Courses immerse you within the dynamic fields of Chicana/o Studies and Latina/o Studies, facilitating your acquisition of the critical knowledge and skills necessary to competently serve the diverse populations of our multicultural society and advance the cause of social justice.

The Chicana/Chicano Studies Minor complements most majors offered at CSUMB by providing you with in-depth preparation for work with and in the diverse communities of the 21st century. In nurturing a base of knowledge concerning this distinct population, it prepares you for a wide range of work in service to Chicana/o communities.

Required Courses

The Chicana/Chicano Studies Minor requires you to take 20 academic units - one 4-unit course per each of the outcomes. The general pathway for students pursuing the Chicana/Chicano Studies Minor is described below:

Complete one of the following:

Complete one of the following:

Complete one of the following:

Complete one of the following:

Complete one of the following:

  • SBS 384S: Anthropology of Education: Cultural Contexts of Bilingual Education AND SBS 384L: Anthropology of Education Lab
  • SPAN 370: The Chicano Community

Learning Outcomes

LO 1: Theoretical Inquiry and Analysis

Students will be able to analyze major theories, paradigms, and methods used to study Chicana/o and Latina/o communities and apply them in a research project.

LO 2: Cultural Interpretation

Students will be able to critically examine and interpret cultural expressions of Chicana/o and Latina/o communities within a critical context.

LO 3: Historical and Political Formations

Students will be able to evaluate the historical experiences of the Chicana/o and Latina/o people within the structures of the United States.

LO 4: Identity and Contemporary Social Formations

Students will be able to critically analyze how Chicana/o and Latina/o identities and cultural practices are socially constructed from within specific contexts and lived experiences.

LO 5: Community Leadership and Practice

Students will be able to apply their knowledge of Chicana/o and Latina/o experiences toward advancing the cause of social justice.