Mexican American Studies
The Center for Mexican American Studies in the College of Liberal Arts offers a minor that is available to all students. A Mexican American Studies (MAS) minor consists of 18 total credit hours: one required introductory course, one required course taught by Mexican American Studies faculty, and four electives selected from the lists below. Either of the two required courses not taken to fulfill the required course segment of the minor may be taken as an elective towards the minor. After consulting with their major departments or programs, students will file a degree plan for the MAS minor at the Center for Mexican American Studies. Courses not listed below may qualify as electives with the approval of the director of the Center for Mexican American Studies.
Minor in Mexican American Studies
| In order to receive a minor in Mexican American Studies, students need to take 18 credit hours from a selection of courses offered across different disciplines. The majority of our courses are cross-listed with courses offered in other departments. Students in Mexican American Students need to take the following courses: | ||
| Required Course: | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES | ||
| Student must take at least two of the following courses: | ||
| LATINOS IN THE U.S. | ||
| THE LATINA EXPERIENCE | ||
| US CHICANO/LATINO LIT | ||
| MEXICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE | ||
| MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY | ||
| HISTORY OF MEXICO | ||
| Electives (Students need to take three of the following courses): | ||
| LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION | ||
| LATINO HEALTH ISSUES | ||
| MEXICAN POLITICS AND U.S.-MEXICO RELATIONS | ||
| HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND DIVERSE POPULATIONS | ||
| CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND IDENTITY | ||
| RACIAL & ETHNIC GROUPS IN US | ||
| LATINO IMMIGRATION TO THE U.S. | ||
| THE SOUTHWEST | ||
| TEXAS TO 1850 | ||
| TEXAS SINCE 1845 | ||
| RACE, CRIME, AND JUSTICE | ||
| TOPICS IN HISPANIC CULTURE | ||
| TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY LATIN-AMERICAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE, MODERNISM TO THE PRESENT | ||
| CHICANO LITERATURE | ||
| ETHNIC GROUP POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| MEXICAN LITERATURE | ||
| POLITICS OF MEXICAN AMERICANS | ||
| WOMEN IN HISPANIC LITERATURE | ||
| TOPICS IN MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES | ||
| TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY * | ||
| LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY: ORIGINS THROUGH INDEPENDENCE | ||
| LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY: POST-INDEPENDENCE TO THE PRESENT | ||
| CONFERENCE COURSE | ||
| MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES INTERNSHIP | ||
| * | Permitted when the topic pertains to Hispanic women. |
Either of the two required courses not taken to fulfill the required course segment of the minor may be taken as an elective towards the minor. After consulting with their major departments or programs, students will file a degree plan for the MAS minor at the Center for Mexican American Studies. Courses not listed below may qualify as electives with the approval of the director of the Center for Mexican American Studies.
Courses
MAS 2300. INTRODUCTION TO MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES. 3 Hours.
A multidisciplinary introduction to the Mexican American/Latino experience. Emphasis on history, culture, and contemporary socioeconomic and policy issues. Required for completion of the Mexican American Studies minor.
MAS 3310. LATINOS IN THE U.S.. 3 Hours.
Examines the Latino experience in the U.S. from an interdisciplinary perspective. Discusses the commonalities and cultural differences among various Latino groups, and focuses on important contemporary Latino issues such as education, employment, family and gender, identity, immigration, and politics. May receive credit for either MAS 3310 or ANTH 3310.
MAS 3312. LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION. 3 Hours.
An interdisciplinary introduction to Latin American society, history and culture. Offered as MAS 3312 and SPAN 3312; credit will be granted for either MAS or SPAN. Prerequisite: SPAN 2314 or SPAN 2315 with a grade of C or better.
MAS 3314. THE LATINA EXPERIENCE. 3 Hours.
A course on the social, cultural, and economic experiences of women of Latin American origin in the United States, with special emphasis on Mexican-origin women.
MAS 3316. LATINO HEALTH ISSUES. 3 Hours.
A cross-cultural examination of issues in Latino health and relevant health practices in the United States through the lenses of social sciences. Themes include the Latino Threat Narrative, acculturation histories and health care status of major Latino ethnic enclaves in the U.S. Listed as MAS 3316 and ANTH 3316; may receive credit for either MAS 3316 or ANTH 3316.
MAS 3317. MEXICAN POLITICS AND U.S.-MEXICO RELATIONS. 3 Hours.
Current economic and political systems of Mexico and relevant issues in U.S.-Mexico relations. Trade, immigration, economic dependency, energy, contraband, and other topics. Offered as MAS 3317 and POLS 3317; credit will be given in only one department.
MAS 3319. HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND DIVERSE POPULATIONS. 3 Hours.
Introduction to theoretical, practical, and policy issues related to diverse populations. Historical, political, and socioeconomic forces are examined that maintain discriminatory and oppressive values, attitudes, and behaviors in society and in all levels of organizational behavior. This course is required for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. Offered as AAST 3317, SOCW 3317 and MAS 3319; credit will be granted in only one department.
MAS 3330. CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND IDENTITY. 3 Hours.
The ways identity is constructed in contemporary societies in an increasingly complex and multicultural world. Ethnic, racial, gender, and class identities. How and when identity is asserted and assigned, and how it can both draw boundaries and forge ties between peoples. Formerly listed as ANTH 2350. Credit cannot be given for both ANTH 2350 and ANTH 3330. Also listed as MAS 3330; credit cannot be granted for both ANTH 3330 and MAS 3330. Offered as AAST 3330 and ANTH 3330; credit will be granted in only one department.
MAS 3337. RACIAL & ETHNIC GROUPS IN US. 3 Hours.
Compares the immigration, acculturation, and adjustment processes of various racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. Examines historical and contemporary discrimination in relation to the social conditions of racial/ethnic minority groups in the U. S. Topics include classical and contemporary theory; individualistic, cultural, and structural arguments about social arrangements; and conflict among majority and minority groups. Offered as AAST 3337, MAS 3337, and SOCI 3337; credit will be granted in only one department. Credit will not be granted for both SOCI 3337 and SOCI 4310 or for MAS 3337 and MAS 4310. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311 or permission of instructor.
MAS 3343. US CHICANO/LATINO LIT. 3 Hours.
This interdisciplinary course explores Chicana/o and Latina/o experiences from 1848 to the present as conditioned by the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, and regional variation. Focus on Chicano/Latino people's quest for self-determination and social justice and on historical, political, and economic factors that contribute to the formation of Chicanos and Latinos today. Focus on major literary developments including the farm workers movement, the Chicano/Brown Power movement, the emergence of Chicana/Latina authors, and the current concept of "Hispanidad." Offered as ENGL 3343 and MAS 3343; ENGL 3343 may be repeated as course content changes, but credit will be granted in only one department, and credit for MAS 3343 will be granted only once. Prerequisite: For English majors: ENGL 2350; for non-majors, 6 hours of sophomore literature or 3 hours of sophomore literature with a grade of A.
MAS 3346. MEXICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE. 3 Hours.
Offers an introduction to Mexican American literature or focuses on a particular genre, period or topic. May be repeated for credit as course content changes when taken as ENGL 3346. May only be taken once for credit as MAS 3346.
MAS 3347. TOPICS IN MULTICULTURAL LITERATURES. 3 Hours.
Either an intensive focus within one tradition or a comparison between two or more traditions. Topics may include Asian-American literature, the American Indian novel, the Harlem Renaissance, Jewish-American literature, Mexican-American and American Indian literatures, or African American literature. May be repeated for credit as course content changes. Offered as ENGL 3347, AAST 3347, and MAS 3347; credit will be granted in only one department, and credit for MAS 3347 will be granted only once. Prerequisite: For English majors, ENGL 2350; for non-majors, 6 hours of sophomore literature or 3 hours of sophomore with a grade of A.
MAS 3348. LATINO IMMIGRATION TO THE U.S.. 3 Hours.
Examines Latino immigration from the perspective of sociocultural anthropology. Focuses on how anthropologists have studied Mexican and other Latino immigrants, and discusses contemporary issues such as transnational communities, gender and immigration, citizenship, and immigrants' politics. The course seeks to familiarize students with the largest immigrant community in the U.S. through ethnographic case studies.
MAS 3352. THE SOUTHWEST. 3 Hours.
A multicultural history of the southwestern United States from pre-Columbian times to the present. Cultural adaptation to environment; cultural contact and conflict; political, social, and economic change. Also listed as MAS 3352; credit will be granted only once.
MAS 3363. TEXAS TO 1850. 3 Hours.
Multicultural heritage of Texas from pre-Colombian period to early statehood. Cultural contact; social, economic, and political change. Completion of either HIST 3363 or HIST 3364 is recommended for those planning to teach in Texas schools. Also listed as MAS 3363; credit will be granted only once.
MAS 3364. TEXAS SINCE 1845. 3 Hours.
Texas in the Mexican-American and Civil Wars. Political events and ethnic relations since annexation. Rise of cotton, cattle, and oil industries. Literature and music in the 20th century. Completion of either HIST 3363 or HIST 3364 is recommended for those planning to teach history in Texas secondary schools. Offered as MAS 3364 and HIST 3364; credit will be granted in only one department.
MAS 3368. MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY. 3 Hours.
The role of the Mexican American in the cultural and historical development of the United States with special emphasis on the Southwest. Offered as HIST 3368 & MAS 3368; credit will be granted only once.
MAS 3380. RACE, CRIME, AND JUSTICE. 3 Hours.
An examination of race in the context of the criminal justice system. Emphasis is on social construction of crime; and the treatment of racial minorities as victims and offenders by law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Offered as CRCJ 3380 and MAS 3380; credit will be granted only once. Offered as AAST 3380 and CRCJ 3380; credit will be granted in only one department.
MAS 4313. TOPICS IN HISPANIC CULTURE. 3 Hours.
Among the topics are Spanish or Latin American music, television, radio, film, and literature as culture. May be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: SPAN 3315 with a grade of C or better. Offered as MAS 4313 and SPAN 4313; credit will be given for MAS 4313 or SPAN 4313 but not both in a given semester.
MAS 4315. TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY LATIN-AMERICAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE, MODERNISM TO THE PRESENT. 3 Hours.
Topics may include: Latin-American literature and culture of Modernism, modern Latin-American literature and culture, or any particular movement, genre, work or author from Modernism to the present. May be repeated for credit when content changes. Offered as MAS 4315 and SPAN 4315; credit will be given for MAS 4315 or SPAN 4315 but not both in a given semester. Prerequisite: SPAN 3315 with a grade of C or better.
MAS 4317. CHICANO LITERATURE. 3 Hours.
Mexican-American literature, with special attention to its social, cultural, and linguistic background. Offered as MAS 4317 and SPAN 4317; credit will be given for MAS 4317 or SPAN 4317 but not both in a given semester. Prerequisite: SPAN 3315 with a grade of C or better.
MAS 4318. MEXICAN LITERATURE. 3 Hours.
Studies in Mexican fiction, poetry, drama, and literary essay. Offered as MAS 4318 and SPAN 4318; credit will be given for MAS 4318 or SPAN 4318 but not both in a given semester. Prerequisite: SPAN 3315 with a grade of C or better.
MAS 4319. POLITICS OF MEXICAN AMERICANS. 3 Hours.
The influence of Mexican-American politics on United States government and policies with special attention given to organizational development, participation in political parties, leadership, ideology, the Chicano Movement, current issues, and relations with other ethnic groups. Offered as MAS 4319 and POLS 4319; credit will be given in only one department.
MAS 4327. WOMEN IN HISPANIC LITERATURE. 3 Hours.
Considers women as characters in and writers of Hispanic literature. Includes the analysis of themes, language, and how the writings of women often give voice to lesser-known aspects of culture. Also listed as SPAN 4327. Credit cannot be given for both.
MAS 4350. TOPICS IN MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES. 3 Hours.
Subjects of interest in Mexican American and Latino studies. May be repeated for credit when topic changes.
MAS 4352. U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICY AND THE AMERICAN DREAM. 3 Hours.
Focus on American identity through the examination of immigration to the United States, past and present, and the evolution of U.S. immigration policy. Topics include U.S. attitudes and policy responses to European, Asian, and Latin American immigration and to the incorporation of the descendants of African slaves and Native Americans. Emphasis on the decline of the melting pot idea and the incorporation of recent immigrants. Offered as MAS 4352 and POLS 4352. Credit will be granted only once.
MAS 4360. CONFERENCE COURSE. 3 Hours.
Permission of the director of the Center for Mexican American Studies required. Topics for research or study in designated areas assigned in consultation with course instructor.
MAS 4366. LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY: ORIGINS THROUGH INDEPENDENCE. 3 Hours.
Latin America during the colonial period of Spanish and Portuguese rule. Pre-European civilizations; Iberian backgrounds; conquest of indigenous peoples; development of colonial institutions, economic patterns, social structures, and race relations; independence from Europe. Offered as MAS 4366 and HIST 4366; credit will be granted in only one department.
MAS 4367. LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY: POST-INDEPENDENCE TO THE PRESENT. 3 Hours.
The evolution of six Latin American nations during the 19th and 20th centuries. The social, economic, and political development of three social groups in three regions: the Europeanized southern cone area of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay; the indigenous culture of the Andean mountains in Peru; the African background of Brazil and Cuba. Offered as MAS 4367 and HIST 4367; credit will be granted in only one department.
MAS 4368. HISTORY OF MEXICO. 3 Hours.
Mexican history from its pre-Colonial indigenous foundation to the current situation. A social and economic analysis of the major events in Mexican history with emphasis upon the 19th and 20th centuries. The major theme in this class is the growth of Mexican nationalism and its relation to region, religion and ethnicity. Also listed as MAS 4368.
MAS 4370. CAPSTONE MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES. 3 Hours.
In consultation with the course instructor, students will design a research project or an internship that will integrate their previous course work into a capstone experience in either the applied or the cultural studies stream of the Mexican American Studies minor.
MAS 4391. CONFERENCE COURSE. 3 Hours.
Permission of the director of the Center for Mexican American Studies required. Topics for research or study in designated areas assigned in consultation with course instructor.
MAS 4393. MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.
A combination of field-related experience in the service, community, and/or business sectors with an academic component. Prerequisite: At least two MAS courses and permission of the instructor.