The Chicana and Chicano Studies department is interdisciplinary with a foundation in Chicano and Latino studies. Its mission is to promote critical understanding of Chicano Hispano Mexicano communities through teaching, research, and community partnerships. The department accomplishes that mission by offering an undergraduate major, minor, and two certificate programs as well as sponsoring and participating in community initiatives and public lectures. The curricula and community engagement efforts focus on (1) Chicana and Chicano cultural studies, (2) politics and social justice, and (3) the transnational US-Mexico experience. The curricula areas allow course offerings concerned with gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, arts and culture, political and social mobilization, immigration and citizenship, history and heritage, land grant studies, Chicana feminism and Queer theory. The three areas are addressed through a curricula taught in both English and Spanish and maintain a regional and transnational focus in New Mexico, the U.S. Southwest, and Mexico.
Students may take any of the Chicana and Chicano Studies courses as electives, or they may enroll in the Chicana and Chicano Studies minor or certificate programs through the College of Arts and Sciences Advisement Center. Additionally, students in the Bachelor of Liberal Arts or in the Bachelor of Arts in American Studies may design a special focus in Chicana and Chicano Studies for their majors.
Courses
CCS 109.
Introduction to Comparative Global and Ethnic Societies.
(3)
(Also offered as AFST, NATV, SUST, WMST 109)
The course explores historical and contemporary social forces that impact ethnic communities across the Americas. Students will examine social and economic dynamics of Indigenous, Latino, Asian-Pacific, Africana communities, and women's experiences.
CCS 201.
Introduction to Chicana and Chicano Studies.
(3)
(Also offered as AMST, NATV 201)
Introductory survey of the Mexican American experience in the United States, with special reference to New Mexico. Exploration of historical, political, social, and cultural dimensions.
CCS 310.
Immigration and Assimilation.
(3)
This is a course on the historical, political and sociological dynamics that shaped the Chicana/o experience in America. A main focus will be on immigration history and the "assimilation" process, especially Mexican immigration.
CCS 331.
Transnational Feminisms.
(3)
(Also offered as WMST 331)
Examination of theoretical and methodological techniques of postcolonial, transnational, and third world feminist scholars/activists; how oppressions are theorized, experienced, and resisted, with a special focus on colonization, imperialism, nationalism, global capitalism, and empire.
CCS 332.
Introduction to Chicana Studies.
(3)
(Also offered as WMST 332)
This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Chicana Studies. Includes historical and contemporary research on labor, political involvement, cultural studies and feminism.
CCS 342.
Race, Culture, Gender, Class in New Mexico History.
(3)
Hispano and Native perspectives of NM history begin with colonialism, military history, politics, economics, but must also consider culture, gender and class to understand the resilience of people as actors in their own history.
CCS 360.
Chicano Latino Civil Rights.
(3)
The seminar examines Chicano Civil Rights by exploring forms of collective social action on behalf of immigration rights/reform, education rights/reform, labor rights, treaty rights, legal justice, environmental justice, veteran's rights, and political representation.
CCS 362.
Chicana and Chicano Movement: El Movimiento Chicano.
(3)
The course examines the Chicana/o Movement beyond the 1960s Civil Rights era, exploring the precursors to the political movement, as well as the legacies of the Chicana/o movement and its effect on society and academia.
CCS 364.
Raza Genders and Sexualities.
(3)
The course focuses on critical thinking about race, class, gender, and sexuality. Course discussions will center on questions of identity and representation and the social construction of gender and sexuality in transnational Latina/o communities.
CCS 365.
Chicana/o Cultural Studies.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
(Also offered as ENGL 365)
An examination of contemporary Chicana/o literature, criticism, murals, film, and other forms of popular culture, with an emphasis on the construction and representation of Chicana/o cultural identity.
CCS 372.
New Mexico Villages and Cultural Landscapes.
(3)
The course explores New Mexico's cultural heritage through an examination of cultural narratives and cultural landscapes and traditions, such as plazas, salas, resolanas, matanzas, and acequia culture from the past through the present day.
CCS 374.
New Mexico's Literary Landscapes and Beyond.
(3)
The course explores Chicano/a letters and the spoken word tradition in New Mexico and beyond. The course examines poetic traditions through a variety of forms including poetry, storytelling, singing/songwriting, and spoken word artistry.
CCS 384.
Community-Based Learning in Chicana and Chicano Studies.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course offers students the opportunity to engage in community-based learning at a selected Community-Based Organization site of their choice. The course broadens student knowledge and understanding of global and local economic and social realities.
CCS 393.
Topics in Chicano Hispano Mexicano Studies.
(3, no limit Δ)
Special topics in Chicano Hispano Mexicano Studies are interdisciplinary in nature and draw from the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts. May be repeated as subject matter varies.
CCS *460.
Chicanos and Latinos in a Global Society.
(3)
The course examines current theories and debates about globalization from a critical perspective. An emphasis will be placed on the study of Chicano and Latino communities in the U.S. as influenced by globalization.
CCS *480.
New Approaches in Chicana and Chicano Studies.
(3)
The course focuses on examining the various theories and methods utilized by Chicana/o scholars during the evolution of Chicana/o Studies. The class also presents theories and methods that inform writings in Chicana/o studies.
CCS 486.
Writers in the Community.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course places students into diverse community settings to work alongside students of all ages, needs, interests and abilities. Workshops will be offered in schools, community centers, homeless shelters, healthcare facilities, and other venues.
CCS 490.
Advanced Seminar in Chicana and Chicano Studies.
(3)
Advanced Chicano Hispano Mexicano Studies senior seminar emphasizing synthesis of previous courses, research skills, and service learning. Designed as a capstone seminar for the Minor.
Restriction: junior or senior standing.
CCS 493.
Special Topics.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
The content of this course varies by semester but will provide an in-depth analysis of special topics related to Chicana and Chicano Studies. For course content, consult the Schedule of Classes.
CCS 495.
Undergraduate Problems.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
