Mexican-American Studies

Department Mission Statement

The Mission of the Mexican American Studies Department is to serve SJSU students and diverse communities through an interdisciplinary Chicana/o Studies Program that is based on principles of Social Justice. The program prepares students to critically examine and address intellectual traditions and contemporary issues resulting from race, ethnicity, class, and gender intersections in Chicana/o-Latina/o and other communities. The overall goal of the MAS Department is to prepare students to critically assess the conceptualization of race and ethnicity, as it relates to and is challenged by Chicana/o communities. Students develop critical thinking skills and a comparative analysis between Chicana/o and other communities. In the end, students integrate major issues and theories from MAS courses and apply them to current problems as they plan for post-graduate work. This goal is accomplished by means of:

an academic minor for undergraduate students from all academic majors;
a graduate program with emphases in Policy Studies, k-20 Education, and Comparative Ethnic Studies; and
serving as an academic resource for Chicana/o-Latina/o communities."

Department Goals

The overall goal of the MAS Department is to prepare students to critically assess the conceptualization of race and ethnicity, as it relates to and is challenged by Chicana/o communities. Students develop critical thinking skills and a comparative analysis between Chicana/o and other communities.

In the end, students integrate major issues and theories from MAS core courses and apply them to current problems as they plan for post-graduate work. Each of the following goals is addressed in the areas of Policy, Comparative Ethnic Studies, or Education. Students who complete the program will be able to understand and explain:

The ideological forces and philosophical perspectives that shape Chicana/o experiences and identities
The historical experiences of Chicanas/os
The development of and changes in the field of Chicana/o history
The evolution and unique contributions of Chicana/o thought to US culture and society
The development of the field of Chicana/o Studies
The basic constructs and theories underlying Chicana/o Studies
The relationship between social, cultural, political, & economic institutions and Chicana/o communities 8-The methodological challenges posed by Chicana/o Studies, and develop skills in specific research methods "

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

identify and explain how ideology and specific philosophical perspectives function in US Society
identify and explain how ideology and specific philosophical perspectives are manifested in daily life through Chicana/o experiences and identities
describe and deconstruct the major historical trends that have shaped the Chicana/o experience
identify and explain the key issues in the field of Chicana/o history
identify and explain the major thinkers and theorists that have shaped Chicana/o Studies
identify and explain the key concepts and conflicts in the field of Chicana/o Studies today
identify and explain the basic constructs and theories underlying Chicana/o Studies
identify, understand and analyze the complex relationship between US Institutions and the Chicana/o community
formulate research questions, conduct thorough literature reviews, develop data collection tools, and analyze data

Assessment of Student Learning

Schedule

Reports: spring 2007 (doc) fall 2007 (doc)

What's Going On?

Undergraduate Studies
Located in ADM 159
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0030
408.924.2447
fax: 408.924.2444