Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Undergraduate Programs

Minor in Chicano/Latino Studies

The Minor in Chicano/Latino Studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University.  Although the minor complements a number of major fields, students who wish to pursue careers in education, social work, government, healthcare, in businesses that serve mixed ethnic communities or who plan graduate study related to the arts and humanities or social sciences may find the minor particularly appealing.  With the approval of the department and college that administer the student's degree program, the courses used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor's degree.

The Minor in Chicano/Latino Studies is designed to develop students’ understanding of the multicultural dimensions of society; to gain knowledge of Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x scholarship and scholars; and to apply that knowledge to the study of Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x communities and life. The minor draws on research, teaching, and community service among Chicanas/os/xs and Latinas/os/xs that: (1) focuses intensively on the histories of different racial and cultural subgroups of Latinas/os/xs; (2) draws larger theoretical lessons from comparisons among Latina/o/x groups and between Latina/o/x and non–Latina/o/x populations; (3) seeks to articulate general principles that shape racial and ethnic relations; (4) explores how ethnic identity is constructed and reconstructed over time; and (5) develops methodologies and principles which empower students to enhance leadership and human relations within diverse communities of peoples and conditions.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the Director of Chicano/Latino Studies.

Requirements for the Minor in Chicano/Latino Studies

The student must complete a total of 15 credits including:

1. The following course (3 credits):
CLS 201 Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies 3
2. Complete three courses from the following (9 credits):
a. At least one course from the College of Social Science:
CLS 490 Independent Study in Chicano/Latino Studies 3
CLS 493 Internship in Chicano/Latino Studies 1 to 6
HST 327 History of Mexican Americans in the United States 3
HST 383 The Caribbean 3
HST 384 Modern Mexico 3
PLS 304 Minority Politics 3
PLS 392 Special Topics in Political Science 1 to 4
SSC 399 Service Learning and Civic Engagement: Theory and Practice 1 to 6
b. At least one course from outside the College of Social Science:
ENG 351 Readings in Chicano and Latino Literatures 3
FLM 211 Documentary History and Theory 3
FLM 460 Seminar in Digital Film and Emergent Media (W) 3
GSAH 230 Values, Experience, and Difference in Global Contexts 3
SPN 320 Cultural Readings and Composition (W) 3
SPN 350 Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literature (W) 3
SPN 412 Topics in Hispanic Cultures 3
SPN 491 Special Topics in Spanish 3
TE 101 Social Foundations of Justice and Equity in Education 3
Chicano/Latino Studies 490 and 493 may only be counted once towards the minor. Students enrolling in Film Studies 460, Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities 230, Political Science 392, Spanish 491, Social Science 399, or Teacher Education 101 must have its content approved by the Director of the Chicano/Latino Studies program.
3. The following capstone course (3 credits):
CLS 492 Chicano and Latino Studies: Research, Theory and Practice 3