Undergraduate Minor

The Minor in Chicano/Latino Studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University.  Although the minor complements a number of major fields, students who wish to pursue careers in education, social work, government, healthcare, in businesses that serve mixed ethnic communities or who plan graduate study related to the arts and humanities or social sciences may find the minor particularly appealing.  With the approval of the department and college that administer the student's degree program, the courses used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor's degree.

The Minor in Chicano/Latino Studies is designed to develop students’ understanding of the multicultural dimensions of society; to gain knowledge of Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x scholarship and scholars; and to apply that knowledge to the study of Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x communities and life. The minor draws on research, teaching, and community service among Chicanas/os/xs and Latinas/os/xs that: (1) focuses intensively on the histories of different racial and cultural subgroups of Latinas/os/xs; (2) draws larger theoretical lessons from comparisons among Latina/o/x groups and between Latina/o/x and non–Latina/o/x populations; (3) seeks to articulate general principles that shape racial and ethnic relations; (4) explores how ethnic identity is constructed and reconstructed over time; and (5) develops methodologies and principles which empower students to enhance leadership and human relations within diverse communities of peoples and conditions.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the Director of Chicano/Latino Studies.

Requirements for the Minor in Chicano/Latino Studies

1. The student must complete a total of 15 credits including:
2. 1. The following course:
   1. CLS 201 Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies (3)
3. 2. Complete at least one course from the College of Social Science (3 credits):
   1. ANP 330 Race, Ethnicity, and Nation: Anthropological Approaches to Collective Identity (3)
   2. ANP 411 North American Indian Ethnography (3)
   3. CLS 490 Independent Study in Chicano/Latino Studies (3)
   4. CLS 493 Internship in Chicano/Latino Studies (1 to 6)
   5. GEO 335 Geography of Latin America (3)
   6. HST 281 Atlantic Slavery (3)
   7. HST 301 Indigenous-European Encounters in North America (3)
   8. HST 307 Labor History of the United States to 1863: Making a North American Working Class (3)
   9. HST 384 Modern Mexico (3)
   10. HST 397 Global Soccer (3)
   11. PLS 304 Minority Politics (3)
   12. PLS 352 Latin American Politics (3)
   13. SOC 214 Social Inequality (3)
   14. SOC 310 Global Migration (3)
   15. SSC 399 Service Learning and Civic Engagement: Theory and Practice (1 to 6)
   16. Relevant courses related to the topics of the Chicano/Latino Studies minor and/or completed in study abroad, study away, or IEM spring break can be requested for approval by Chicano/Latino Studies Director.
4. 3. At least one course from outside the College of Social Science (a minimum of 3 credits):
   1. ENG 351 Readings in Chicano and Latino Literatures (3)
   2. GSAH 311 Global Perspectives on Borders and Migration (3)
   3. GSAH 314 Race, Gender and Global Identities (3)
   4. HA  253 Native North American Art (3)
   5. PHL 212 Latin American Philosophy (3)
   6. PHL 353 Core Themes in Peace and Justice Studies (3)
   7. SPN 350 Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literature (W) (3)
   8. SPN 432 Latin America and its Literature (3)
   9. REL 205 Myth, Self and Religion (3)
   10. REL 320 Christianity (3)
   11. TE 352 Migration and Education (3)
5. 4. Complete at least one additional course from either Requirement 2. or Requirement 3. (3 credits)
6. 5. The following capstone course (3 credits):
   1. CLS 492 Chicano and Latino Studies: Research, Theory and Practice (3)