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Chicanx and Latinx Studies
Welcome to Chicanx and Latinx Studies
Chicanx Studies, also listed as Chicano/a Studies, La Raza Studies, or Mexican American Studies at various colleges and universities throughout the state and nation, came into existence at California State University, Sacramento in the late 1960s as a result of a coalition of minority faculty, staff, students, and community organizations. The Minority Coalition called for the establishment of an academic program which would examine the cultural, political, labor, historical, and aesthetic contributions of minorities in the United States.
Chicanx Studies courses were developed through the cooperative efforts of faculty, staff, students, and community representatives. At a conference on higher education held at UC Santa Barbara in 1969, a tentative format for Chicana/o Studies Programs was established. In the same year, a more formal outline was published as El Plan de Santa Barbara in which specific academic areas of study were outlines. The "Plan" also outlined a student organization, M.E.C.h.A. (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan), as the catalyst which would bridge the gap between Chicanx communities and the campuses of higher education.
At Sacramento State, Chicanx and Latinx Studies is well established as a component of the Ethnic Studies Department. Some of the functions as outlines in El Plan remain part of the program, such as faculty, staff, student organizations, and curriculum development.
Chicanx and Latinx Studies offers core courses through the Ethnic Studies Department. These courses examine the Chicanx and Latinx experience and focus on the historical/cultural contributions of Chicanxs and Latinxs in the U.S. Courses also analyze the impact of colonialism, class, racism, color, and culture conflicts in such areas as art, music, education, social science, literature, business, and human services fields.
Major Concentration and Minor
Meet the Faculty
Nancy Huante-Tzintzun, Ph.D., Co-Director of Chicanx and Latinx Studies, Assistant Professor
David Flores, Ph.D, Co-Director of Chicanx and Latinx Studies, Assistant Professor
Elvia Ramirez, Ph.D., Professor
Julie Figueroa, Ph.D., Professor
Maria Vargas, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Chicanx and Latinx Studies Minor Advising
The Department of Ethnic Studies at Sacramento State offers a 21-unit minor in Chicanx and Latinx Studies. The minor provides students with a broad and interdisciplinary course of study focusing on Chicanx/Latinx communities in national and global contexts.
For information about course requirements for the Chicanx and Latinx Studies major concentration and minor please contact Dr. Maria Vargas (ojeda@csus.edu).