Minor & Courses

Minor in CMAS

The Center for Mexican American Studies offers a minor in Mexican American Studies. The material covered in the minor conveys the broad and rich experiences of people of Mexican descent in the United States. A minor in Mexican American Studies augments a student's major area of study and prepares them to better understand the history, culture, social relations, folklore, literature, politics, and numerous contributions this group has made to society in the United States.

Many students minor in Mexican American Studies because their future employment will deal directly or indirectly with the Mexican American and broader Latino communities. Teachers, business people, urban planners, architects, psychologists, bankers, writers, journalists, and lawyers must be aware of the nature and dynamics of the Mexican American community in order for them to carry out their jobs in an effective manner. This is particularly true as people of Mexican descent make their presence felt throughout the country in growing numbers.

Other students take courses in this field because they want to know more about their culture and history. The relatively lack of information over the Mexican American experience in the public schools makes this extremely important. Many students are interested in Mexican American studies because they want to become future leaders and want to hone their knowledge and skills to be more effective in the area of public policy, public speaking, and community organizing. A growing number of students are interested in the minor because they want to become college professors and specialize in Mexican American studies. For further information about the courses or the minor call (713) 743-3133.

A minor in Mexican American Studies requires a minimum of 18 semester credit hours; out of these, 18 credit hours should be taken as follows:

9 Hours should be taken in Social Sciences
9 Hours of Humanities and Fine Arts
12 of these 18 hours must be taken at this campus (central)

12 Hours must be advanced (3000-4000)

Of the advanced, 6 must be done in residence.

SOCIAL SCIENCES: Nine Hours

ANTH 3312 Mexican American Culture
ANTH 3373 Archeology of the Aztecs and their Neighbors
POLS 3372 Chicano Politics
SOC 2325 American Minority Peoples
SOC 3326 Immigration In U.S. Society
SOC 3397 Special Topic
PSYC 2344 Cultural Psychology

LIBERAL ARTS: Nine Hours

ENGL 3361 Mexican American Literature
SPAN 3331 Mexican American Literature
HIST 3332 Chicano History Up To 1910
HIST 3333 Chicano History Since 1910
HIST 3394 Chicanos In Houston
HIST 4394 Chicana History
MAS 3342 Mexican Immigration to the U.S.
MAS 3340 Mexican American Urban Communities
MAS 3341 The Mexican American Experience Thru Film
MAS 2340 Introduction to Mexican American Studies
SPAN 2301 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 2302 Intermediate Spanish II
SPAN 2307 Spanish for Native Speakers I
SPAN 2308 Spanish for Native Speakers II
SPAN 3301 Oral Communications in Spanish
SPAN 3345 Hispanic Folklore of the Southwest