Why Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies?

Mural of Latina/o symbols

What Is Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies?

Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies centers on the study of key historical and contemporary issues that impact Mexican-origin and other US Latina/o communities as well as their unique influence in the United States.

We are committed to engage students in a transformative education that promotes a critical understanding of the complex and intersecting systems of power and privilege that have historically shaped Chicana/o and Latina/o communities in the US.

We foster a socially and intellectually engaged environment that prepares students as leaders in a society that is increasingly diverse, and which requires expertise bout racial, ethnic, gender, sexuality, political, and social differences. 

Why Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies?

You gain a broad education. Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies at LMU includes several fields: Literature and Cultural Studies, History, Political Science, Education, Comparative Ethnic Studies, and Media Studies. The skills you acquire provide the flexibility to work in almost any field.

You gain a competitive edge. In today’s global economy, you need a broader awareness of the world and expertise in questions of diversity. Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies provides you with a competitive edge, preparing you for meaningful and critical interactions with diverse populations--both locally and globally.

You learn about yourself and your community. An interdisciplinary academic focus encourages you to dig deeper, to challenge your understanding of people, cultures, places and events and uncover new information. We encourage self-reflection, and support life-long education and foster commitment to working for social justice, not just talking about it.

Is This Major Right For You?

You might be a Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies major if you:

  • Appreciate multiculturalism and diversity
  • Are interested in government or politics
  • Enjoy studying literature, art, and popular culture
  • Enjoy both service and research
  • Seek social change

About Our Faculty

Our faculty members are experts in fields such as literature, media, political science, and history, and they focus on the intersection of race, gender, sexuality, and class. They teach courses that take students to Sacramento and to Mexico City, as well as into local classrooms, as well as direct LMU’s Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles. Our faculty are enthusiastic teachers, active researchers, and published scholars who are often called upon to provide expert analysis and commentary on current events.

About Our Students and Graduates

Our students prepare to participate in a diverse society in need of expertise about racial, ethnic, economic, political, and social differences. Graduates with expertise in multicultural studies are in demand in the fields of business, health, education, and government. Some of our recent graduates have worked in finance, urban planning, K-12 education and policy, law, community organizing, museums and arts institutions, library science, and public administration.

Representative Courses

Our offered courses have included:

  • Introduction to Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies
  • Chicana/o History
  • Survey of Chicana/o-Latina/o Literature
  • Contemporary Urban Chicana/o and Other Latina/o Issues
  • Chicana/o Cultural Production
  • Guadalupe, Queen of the Américas
  • Immigration and Los Angeles
  • The Politics of California
  • Latina Feminist Theory
  • Modern Latin America
  • History of Mexico
  • The Chicana/o Southwest
  • Chicana/os-Latina/os in Film and Mass Media
  • Chicana/o Consciousness
  • Independent Studies 

More Resources (Links)