Academic Programs

Chicano and Latino Studies courses are designed to
train students to work effectively in multicultural
settings, to enhance their analytical and technological
skills, and to provide them a profound understanding of the
Chicano and Latino experiences in the United States. The
department offers programs to serve the interests and goals
of (1) those entering a variety of occupations including urban
studies, government, journalism, social work, school administration,
business, criminology, law, foreign service and other
related areas; (2) teachers, counselors, administrators; (3)
majors in other fields such as history, sociology, psychology,
economics, literature, anthropology, who wish to include additional
scope to their field of study.

Bachelor of Arts in Chicano and Latino Studies
(code CHLSBA01) (120 units)

Requirements
Lower Division (6 units): Core Courses CHLS 100 or 101;
and CHLS 105. Students will choose one course between
CHLS 100 and 101. CHLS 105 is required.
Upper Division (33 units) Core Course (12 units required):
CHLS 300, 310, 350, 498.
Upper Division (continued): 21 units of electives from Cultural
Studies courses: CHLS 390I, 395, 420, 490, 499; and
Social Inquiry courses: CHLS 319, 340, 352, 362, 415, 421,
470I, 490, 499.

Departmental Requirement: Two years of college Spanish.
If student is proficient in Spanish, the two years’ requirement
may be met by successful completion of proficiency examination.

Special Track
In addition to the general major in Chicano and Latino
Studies, the department also offers a program for students
who wish to complete a Special Track major in Chicano and
Latino Studies. Within the Special Track, students may receive
up to a maximum of 12 units of credit for upper division
Chicano and Latino Studies related course work taken from
other disciplines. Students wishing to pursue the Special
Track major must develop an approved program of study in
consultation with the Chicano and Latino Studies Department
academic advisor.

The Special Track consists of 39 units total, 30 of which
must be upper division, including the following:
Lower-division: CHLS 100 or 101 and 105.
Upper-division: CHLS 300, 310, 350, 498.
Special Track: A maximum of 12 units of upper division
course work from related fields, selected with the approval of
the Chicano and Latino Studies Department advisor.
Language Requirement: Two years of college Spanish. If
student is proficient in Spanish, the two years’ requirement
may be met by successful completion of proficiency examination.

CHICANO AND LATINO STUDIES
College of Liberal Arts
240 • Chicano and Latino Studies • 2003/2004 CSULB Catalog
Minor in Chicano and Latino Studies
(code CHLSUMO1)

A prerequisite to taking this minor is the successful completion
of two Spanish courses recommended by the Chicano
and Latino Studies Department advisor or the
successful completion of an intermediate Spanish proficiency
examination.

Requirements
Upper Division: a minimum of 24 units distributed as follows:
12 units of core requirements: CHLS 300, 310, 350,
498; 12 units selected from Cultural Studies courses: 390I,
395, 420, 490, 498, 499; and Social Inquiry courses: 300,
310, 319, 340, 350, 352, 362, 415, 421, 470I, 490, 498, 499.

Graduate Certificate in Chicano and Latino Studies
(code CHLSCT01)
The Chicano and Latino Studies Department has established
a program which offers students interested in this field
the opportunity to pursue courses leading to a certificate in
Chicano and Latino Studies. Courses used to meet this certificate
requirement may be counted also, where applicable,
toward the General Education requirements and the degree
or credential requirements of the cooperating departments.

Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree with a major in another discipline;
2. A minimum of 24 units distributed as follows: 12 units of
core requirements: CHLS 300, 310, 350, 498; 12 units
selected from Cultural Studies courses: 390I, 395, 420,
490, 498, 499; and Social Inquiry courses: 300, 310, 319,
340, 350, 352, 362, 415, 421, 470I, 490, 498, 499.
Courses (CHLS)

Lower Division
1. Bilingual Communication Skills-English (3)
Basic fundamentals of English communication for students of
bilingual background. Credit/no credit only. Counts as part of
student's course load but does not carry graduation credit.
100. Introduction to Chicano Studies (3)
This is an introductory-level course designed with two goals in
mind. The first is to acquaint students with the most important
social, political, economic and historic aspects of the Chicano
experience in the United States. The second goal is to discuss
these aspects in relationship to their historic relevance to contemporary
and future Chicano society. Letter grade only (A-F).
101. Introduction to Chicano Life (3)

Prerequisite or Corequisite: One course from GE category A1.
This course is designed to introduce students to the study of Chicano
culture and society in the Southwest U.S. from 1540 to the
1980. The course will emphasize three topics: 1) The cultural formation
and transformation of Chicano communities; 2) The relationship
between culture and identity; 3) The dynamic role of
women in shaping Chicano culture. Letter grade only (A-F).
104. Bilingual Communication Skills-English (3)

Prerequisite: A recorded total score of 151 or above on the English
Placement Test, or credit in CHLS 1 (or its equivalent) and
consent of the instructor. Advanced fundamentals of English
communication for students of bilingual background. Letter grade
only (A-F).
105. Identity and Assimilation in Chicano Life (3)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: One course from GE category A2. An
interdisciplinary introduction to the study of cultural and historical
issues that have influenced formation of Chicano communities
from pre-Columbian times to the present. Evolution of Chicano
identity examined through survey of Mexican-American regional
cultures and development of societal divisions based on gender,
race, and class categories. Letter grade only (A-F).
150. Introduction to Chicano Literary Studies (3)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: One course from GE category A1. Introductory
survey course in Chicano and Latino literature covering
traditional and contemporary literary styles and forms from selected
translated Chicano and Latino readings. Letter grade only (AF).
Not open to students with credit in CHLS 205.
215. U.S. Diversity and the Ethnic Experience (3)

Prerequisities: The course is open only to Integrated Teacher Education
Program students. This course is a survey of four major ethnic
groups (American Indians, African American, Latino American,
and Asian American) in American society from the colonial era to
the present. Special attention is given to the formation and transformation
of each ethnic group and their individual and collective
roles in the development of the United States. Same course as AIS
215, ASAM 215, B/ST 215. The departments take turns offering the
course in the Fall semester. Letter grade only (A-F).
230. Chicano Community Organization (3)
Analysis of Chicano community groups; emphasis on development
of community organizational techniques.

Upper Division
General Education Category A must be completed prior to
taking any upper division course except upper division language
courses where students meet formal prerequisites and/
or competency equivalent for advanced study.
300. Chicano History (3)
Chicanos in the settlement and development of the Southwest and
in contemporary U.S. society; Chicano experience as a U.S. minority
group; emerging civil rights movement of La Raza. Letter grade
only (A-F). Same course as HIST 370.
310. Chicano Thought (3)
Study of the ideas, philosophies and events affecting Chicano life;
identification and examination of the Chicano world view, of a Chicano
reality.
319. The Ethnic Experience in the U.S. (3)
An examination of the dynamics of the development of our multicultural
society, emphasizing study of the four distinct ethnic
strands of American society (Asian American, Black American,
Mexican American, and American Indian) and their role in the
maintenance of cultural diversity in the United States. Same course
as AIS 319, ASAM 319, B/ST 319, W/ST 319. (Lecture/Discussion.)
335I. Asian and Latino Immigration since World War II (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements, one or
more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing. Analyzes
the causes of a dramatic post-World War II shift in immigration
from Europe to Asia and Latin America, immigrants' settlement and
adaptation patterns, and the Asian and Latino communities' social,
racial, political and economic impact on American society. Same
course as ASAM 335I. (Lecture and discussion, 3 hours)
340. Latino Education in the U.S. (3)
A theoretical and empirical examination of Latino educational issues
in the United States. Special emphasis is placed on disentangling
the effects of ethnicity, gender, class and immigrant status on
educational attainment and achievement. A critical understanding
of how historical, social, political, and economic forces impact on
Latinos/as with regard to their experience in the educational system.
Letter grade only (A-F).
350. The Latino Population in the United States (3)
Survey of the most recent socio-economic information on “Hispanics,”
issues of immigration and settlement patterns, employment
and income, family, language and culture will be examined. Particular
attention will be paid to the changing points at which racism
has intersected with factors of class and gender. This is a comparative
course designed to highlight heterogeneity of the larger Latino
aggregate population. Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as
SOC 340.
2003/2004 CSULB Catalog • Chicano and Latino Studies • 241
352. Central American and Caribbean Peoples in California
(3)
Survey of the socioeconomic conditions and cultural life of the
Central American and Spanish-speaking Caribbean communities
of California: Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans,
etc. Not all groups will necessarily be dealt with each time the
course is offered. Similarities with and differences from the Mexican
American community will be examined. Same course as SOC
341.
362. Chicanos and the Law (3)
Analysis of the relationship of the Chicano to the U.S. legal and
judicial system. Topics include traditional sociological and criminological
theories of Chicano criminality, the Pachuco image, and
Chicano experiences with the police and correctional institutions.
Letter grade only (A-F).
390I. The “Hispanic” Southwest: Historical and Literary
Images (3)

Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements, one or
more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing. Critical,
interdisciplinary examination of the portrayals of Latinos in selected
historical and literary texts by Euro-American authors.
395. Latino Cultural Images in Film (3)
Critical, interdisciplinary examination of selected Latino cultural
traits and values as these are depicted in motion pictures, documentaries,
and other types of film.
403. Asian American and Chicano/Latino Cinema (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of the Foundation courses, at least one
Explorations course, and upper division status .This course is a
team-taught class that explores the connections between Asian
American and Chicano/Latino film. It is designed to examine the
politics of representation in mainstream releases and independent
films and videos by artists of color. Special attention will be paid to
themes of collectivity, sexuality, racialized gender, race, and class
formations, and social transformations. Emphases will be given to
grounding issues presented in films within historical, literary, and
cultural studies frameworks. Letter grade only (A-F). Same course
as ASAM 403.
415. Latina Women in the United States (3)
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor. This
course will examine the cultural, political, economic, and sexual
forces that mold Latina women. The first section of the course will
focus on cultural stereotypes and responses to these stereotypes
by Latina women scholars. The second section of the course will
focus on Latina class differences and the politics of race. This will
provide an overview of the contemporary public policy issues affecting
Latinas and the broader Latino community. The contradictions
that are identified in this course segment will be juxtaposed
against selected African American perspectives to identify areas
of symmetry as well as areas of divergence in the domain of political
strategizing for political reform and Latina empowerment. The
last section of the course will address issues of gender identity
and sexuality that challenge, undermine, and strengthen the position
of Latina women in the greater society. Same course as W/ST
320.
420. Chicano Heritage in the Arts of Mexico and the
Southwest (3)
Historical and philosophical analysis of Indian Mestizo and Chicano
plastic arts, music and dances with a view to understanding
the Chicano heritage.
421. Street Gangs in Comparative Perspective (3)
This course addresses the contemporary issue of street gangs
within the Chicano/Latino community. It analyzes the relationships
across the United States of the Chicano gangs with African American
gangs, the South East Asian gangs and the White (PUNKERS,
Heavy Metalists and Skinheads)-- street gangs. Structural forces
of the urban societies, such as proletariat socialization, patriarchy
traditions and problems revolving around gender identity are examined.
Through theory and a historical analysis, the basis for
addressing this contemporary subject is set. This course is a comparative
study of youth behavior using both a public health model
and a criminal justice model. Letter grade only (A-F).
450I. Consequences of the Encounter: The Americas, Europe,
and Africa (3)

Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation requirement,
completion of one or more Exploration courses and upper-division
status. The study of the consequences of the encounter between
Africa, Europe, and the Americas from the voyages of
Columbus to contemporary times. Through several disciplines:
Art, Literature, and the Social Sciences the course examines the
complex results of the encounter in respect to the obliteration,
suppression and creation of culture among the peoples of both
the Old and New Worlds. Same course as RGR 450I.
470I. Latinas/Latinos: Health Status and Health Care Access
(3)

Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation, one or more Explorations
courses, and upper-division standing. This course is a
critical interdisciplinary examination of the health status and
health care access of Latinos in the United States. The primary
objective of the course is to provide an overview of the policies,
epidemiologic, and cultural factors that influence the etiologies of
disease within Latino subpopulations. This cross disciplinary approach
will also be used to analyze the health care problems
faced by Latino subpopulations that constrain efficient management
of services and equitable delivery of heath care. Letter
grade only (A-F). Same course as HCA 470I.
490. Special Topics in Chicano Studies (1-3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Topics of current interest in
Chicano and Latino Studies selected for intensive development.
May be repeated for a maximum of six units. Topics will be announced
in the Schedule of Classes.
D. Academic Conferences
498. Senior Colloquium (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Analysis of issues and
problems in Chicano and Latino studies. Designed as a seminar
in research and methodology. The material discussed will center
about a general theme selected by the instructor. May be repeated
with different topics to a maximum of six units, but no more
than three units may be used to satisfy the requirements for the
majors. Letter grade only (A-F). Course may be repeated for a
maximum of 6 units.
499. Directed Studies (1-3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Preparation of research reports
on selected topics relating to the Mexican-American. May
be repeated for a maximum of six units.