It's more important than ever to learn Chicanx and Latinx history and culture, not only because of politics and immigration rights, but because it is interwoven into the fabric of what defines San Diego and the United States as a whole. It shapes our collective culture and perspective of the world.
Understanding Chicanx and Latinx histories and culture in context with the United States' helps us understand how current events have transpired. You'll examine Chicanx social, political, cultural and economic conditions and how race, ethnicity, class, culture, gender and sexuality intersect throughout history and today. These empowering histories and perspectives will enrich your life and help all of us build a shared response on how we can affect the future.
We offer an Associate in Arts degree in Chicano Studies.
Careers in Chicanx and Latinx Studies vary within the social science fields. Since Chicanx or Latinx Studies cannot be taught everywhere in the U.S., many consider it a program of social justice. In the need to educate others, positions can be found in advocacy for Chicanx and Latinx in areas such as in the workforce, civic and immigrant rights, education, legal rights, labor relations and healthcare, among many others. And, more broadly, careers can be found in a multitude of subjects, among them are history, sociology, engineering, psychology, social sciences, political science, law, social work, business, the arts and public administration.
Gainful Employment links:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/labor-relations-specialists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm
Program Emphasis
The department emphasizes the study of the international border between Mexico and the United States. Due to its geographic location, the department also offers a focus on the relationship between the communities of southern California and Baja California
Career Options
As a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary field, Chicana/o Studies contributes to all fields in the humanities and social sciences. The curriculum prepares students at the undergraduate level for a multitude of career options. Students earning a degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies may pursue careers in areas such as education, humanities, history, anthropology, ethnology, sociology, psychology, social sciences, political sciences, law, social work, business, the arts, and public administration
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon active engagement in course activities and processes the successful student will be able to:
- Attend educational, cultural, or political activities related to the Chicano/a Latino/a community's social issues.
- Express what the Mexican and Mexican American cultural experience are in a written, oral or artistic way.
- Express in a written, oral or artistic way some of the major obstacles that the Indigenous culture of Mexico have faced since having contact with European cultures.
- Express in a written, oral or artistic way some of the contributions that women have made to the development of the Mexican and Mexican-American experience.