Mexican American Studies
Rooted in the fine arts, humanities, and social sciences, the Mexican American studies minor is a relatively easy and effective way to enhance any major in any discipline by “adding” to that discipline the knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the predominant ethnic group in the American Southwest, the Mexican American. It is a particularly useful minor for those students entering the teaching, business, or service fields.
Minor in Mexican American studies: 18 semester hours, including MAS 231, SOC 238, SPAN 331 or higher, HIST 237, MAS 439 and three hours from ENG 235, HIST 270, SPAN 472, or THEO 374.
MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
MAS 231. Introduction to Mexican American Studies (3:3:0)
This course introduces students to the historical processes that have formed and informed the Mexican American experience in the United States. It provides a contextual and conceptual framework for understanding the contemporary situation of Mexican Americans in American life.
MAS 237. The Mexican American in U.S. History (3:3:0)
An examination of the Mexican American experiences, tracing North American roots, in corporation, and cultural formation within the context of differing interpretations of U.S. history. Prerequisite: HIST 131-132 or instructor’s permission. (Also offered as HIST 237.)
MAS 238. Mexican American Culture in the Southwest (3:3:0)
Based on a conceptual understanding of culture, this course assesses the historical and contemporary context of Chicano culture in the Southwestern United States. It examines, from a revisionist perspective, Chicano cultural history and its manifestations in contemporary forms such as music, food, myths and legends, art, literature, etc. (Also offered as SOC 238.)
MAS 419, 429, 439. Internship (X:X:X)
Supervised field experience in a setting offering significant contact with Mexican American people and their culture in a work environment. Arrangements must be made during the semester prior to the period of internship. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
