Welcome to the Department of Chicana/o Studies!
Thank you for visiting our website and we hope we can help cultivate your interest in Chicana/o Studies. One of your first questions may be 'What can I do with a degree in Chicana/o Studies?' so please continue reading and explore the options this path can take you!
What can I do with a degree in Chicana/o Studies?
The Chicana/o studies major provides a unique opportunity to serve and understand the Chicano/Latino community. Policy-makers must know specifics about the people, comprehend and appreciate the culture and understand how to work with this fast-growing community. The major offers an interdisciplinary curriculum which focuses on the Chicana/Chicano experience through an analysis of class, race-ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and cultural expression within the historical and contemporary experiences of Chicanas/os in the Americas.
Real World
Chicana/o Studies majors have gone on to a variety of exciting opportunities. The Cultural Studies emphasis prepares students for professional work in cross-cultural education, cultural/art centers, artistic expression and communication. The Social/Policy Studies orients students towards careers in human service delivery, community development, legal services assistance, health services, social welfare and education. Many students go on to advanced professional studies or graduate students in related fields. Program alumni include a college president, a member of the California Legislature, teachers, librarians and social workers.
Major Requirements
After completing survey courses at the lower division levels, Chicana/Chicano studies majors choose to specialize in either of two areas. The Cultural Studies emphasis integrates literature, culture, and artistic expression; the Social/Policy Studies track emphasizes social theory, research methods, area studies in community and health issues. Majors are expected to read, write, and speak Spanish at a level suitable for future study and work in Chicana/o and Latina/o perspectives.