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Bachelor of Arts in Chicana/o Studies

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Chicana/o Studies at California State University Channel Islands offers a curriculum that examines current and past experiences of Chicanas/os and other hemispheric Americans whose origins exist south of the U.S./Mexican border from multi-disciplinary perspectives. This degree places students at the center in the investigation of local issues in context with transborder questions. The core courses at the lower and upper division level will provide majors with a solid training in Chicana/o Studies while providing them the opportunity to minor or double major in a related disciplinary program.

The Chicana/o Studies major builds upon the first generation of Chicano Studies programs in that it recognizes that Chicana/o and Latina/o populations today often work in simultaneous contexts. Complex patterns of hybridity are features of the Southwest; perspectives are often shaped by political, cultural and linguistic borders. The major recognizes that the experience of moving across economic, gender, geographic, and political borders dramatically shapes patterns of identity, and that complex interactions among peoples of the Americas (North, Central, and South) enrich the community and cultural life of the United States. From a public policy perspective, the major recognizes that border issues—the flow of capital and commerce, identity, citizenship and immigration, and economic and political equality—are integral to the curriculum.

Students in the program will be led by faculty within the Chicana/o Studies program, as well as affiliated faculty across the social sciences, humanities, and education programs at Cal State Channel Islands. This interdisciplinary degree serves the University Mission with interdisciplinary, multicultural, international, and service learning components.

Total number of Units for the major: 120

Total units of courses in the major: 45-46

Students are encouraged to identify a minor, or possibly major, in a related discipline such as English, History, Political Science, Sociology, or Spanish. 

Lower Division Degree Requirements (9-10 units)

CHS Introductory Courses (6)

CHS 100 Chicanas/os in Contemporary Society (3)

CHS 292 Chicanas/os Studies Service Learning and Civic Engagement (3)

(For community college transfer students, lower division courses not similar to CHS 100 can substitute for CHS 210; sunset date to be determined)

Language Requirement (3-4)

SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish II (4)

SPAN 212 Spanish for Heritage Speakers II (4)

or substitute an Upper division Spanish course (3) approved by advisor.

Upper Division Core Requirements (36 units)

Theory and Methods (6)

SOC 310 Research Methods in Sociology (3)

CHS 491 Theoretical Foundations of Chicana/o Studies (3)

Chicana/o Art and Culture (3)

ART/HIST 333 History of Southern California Chicana/o Art (3)

ENGL 453 Chicana/o/Hispanic American Literature (3)

Chicana/o History and Culture (3 units Latin American History and 3 units of Chicana/o History)

HIST 360 History of Colonial Latin America (3)

HIST 350 Chicana/o History and Culture (3)

HIST 402 Chicana/o Southern California History and Culture (3)

Chicano/Transborder Policy and Society (9 units)

CHS 331 Transborder Perspectives in Chicana/o Studies (3)

CHS/EDUC 449 The Chicano/Mexicano Child and Adolescent (3)

CHS 401 Legal Issues Facing Low-Wage Latino Workers (3)

CHS 494 Independent Research (1-3)

CHS 497 Directed Studies (1-3)

Upper Division Electives (9 units) The following courses inform the major:

BUS/HIST 349 History of Business and Economics in North America

ENGL/SOC 331 Narratives of the Working Class

ENGL/HIST 334 Narratives of Southern California

ENGL 378 Contemporary Native American Authors: Telecourse

ENGL/SPAN 455 Bilingual Literacy Studies/Estudios Literarios Bilingues

HIST 369 California History and Culture

HIST 420 History of Mexico

HIST 421 Revolutionary Mexico, 1876-1930

POLS 306 The Politics of Race and Ethnicity

Service Learning Capstone for Graduation (3 units)

CHS 492 Service Learning (1-3)

CHS 499 Service Learning Capstone in Chicana/o Studies (1-3)

Chicana/o Studies Courses Fall 08 

CHS 100 Chicana/os in Contemporary Society (3 units) TTh 4:30-5:45

Professor:  Jose Alamillo
This course offers an introductory study of Chicanos in contemporary society in the United States. It focuses on areas such as culture, history, fine arts, family, language, education, politics, economics, and social issues as they relate to the Mexican American experience in relationship to other groups in American society.
GE categories: C3b  and D

CHS 292 Chicana/o Studies Service Learning and Engagement (3 units) M 10-11:50 and W 10-11:50 (lab)

Professor: Jose Alamillo
This course introduces students to the practices necessary for effective research and work on issues of social justice in Chicana/o communities.  Students will learn how to identify, research, and reflect on dealing with these issues through "hands-on" service learning.  Students will engage in and apply learned skills and methodologies as a practical means in advancing social and economic justce.  This fall, the focus of the course will be the Bracero program, in conjunction with the Smithsonian Bracero Oral History Project .
GE category:  D (Social Perspectives)

CHS/HIST 350 Chicana/o History and Culture (3 units) T Th 10:30-11:45

Professor: Jose Alamillo
Examines the settlement and culture of Mexicanos in the United States to the present. Particular attention is given to the relationship of Mexicanos to the political and economic institutions of the United States.
Title V category

ART/HIST 333 History of Southern California Chicana/o Art  (3 units) 2 sections:  MW 3-4:15 and W 6-8:30

Professor:  Denise Lugo
An exploration of the Southern  California Chicana/o Culture focusing on the genesis, vitality and diversity represented in the painting, sculpture and artistic renditions of Mexican American artists.  Historical movements, politics, cultural trends, and Mexican folklore underlying the development of this dynamic style of art will be investigated within a variety of contexts.
GE category: C3b, D, Interdisciplinary

BUS/ECON/HIST 349 History of Business and Economics in North America (3 units) 2 sections:  TTh 10:30-11:45 and TTh 1:30-2:45

Professor: Mike Powelson
Examines the growth and development of the economies of North American since colonial times.  Addresses social, ethical, economic and management issues during the development of Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.  Analyzes the business principles underlying the growth and development of the economies.

HIST 369 California History and Culture (3 units) 2 sections:  MW 1:30-2:45 and TTh 3-4:15

Professor: John Pendleton
Examines the cultural and institutional development of California prior to the 16th century and since.

HIST 420 History of Mexico (3 units) MW 5:30-6:45

Professor: Mike Powelson
This course examines the social and political history of Mexico from the period of European contact to the present.  The modern phase of Mexico's history is examined to the overall development of North America.

EDUC/HIS 445 Chicano Child and Adolescent (4 units) Th 4-6:50

Professor: Kathleen Contreras
Examines the socio-cultural experiences and political/economic realities pertinent to the daily lives of Chicano and Mexican-origin children and adolescents. Emphasis will be on contemporary issues and effective educational and cultural practices for working with children and their families within Chicano/Mexicano communities. Field study requirement involves making connections and working in a child-centered setting or related service project.
GE categories: C3b, D, and Interdisciplinary

ENGL/HIS/ECON/SOC/POLS 331 Narratives of the Working Class (3 units) MW 12-1:15

Professor: Renny Christopher
Examines the lives of working people using various thematic approaches and disciplinary methodologies.  Materials include literature, film, and case studies.
GE categories:  C2, D, Interdisciplinary

ENGL/HIS 334 Narratives of Southern California (3 units) TTh 10:30-11:45

Professors: Joan Peters and Frank Barajas
Ours is a region made up of many cultures which produce the one we call "Southern California."  in this class we will take a historical approach to the study of the narratives oral, written and filmed of Southern California.  Course work may also include obtaining oral histories and compiling them. 
GE categories:  C2, D, Interdisciplinary

SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish II (4 units) MW 10-11:15

Professor: Stephen Clark
Through the study of the culture and civilization of the Hispanic world, students further develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish.