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for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Chicano
and Latin American Studies
COURSES
Chicano and Latin American Studies (CLAS)
CLAS 3. Introduction to Chicano/Latino
Studies (3 units)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Introduction to the historical and contemporary
experiences of Chicanos and other Latinos in American society. Their contributions
to the United States and their current economic, political, and social status
are discussed. G.E. Breadth D3. FS
CLAS 5. Chicano Culture (3 units)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. A historical examination of Chicano culture
from the pre-Columbian period to the present. The customs, values, belief-systems,
and their symbols are analyzed; important events and changes occurring through
time are emphasized. G.E. Breadth D3. FS
CLAS 9. Chicano Artistic Expression (3 units)
Introduction to Chicano artistic expression, with special attention to cultural
continuity and change; the interrelationships between popular music, dance,
drama, literature, and the graphic arts are analyzed. G.E. Breadth C1. FS
CLAS 30. Critical Thinking in Chicano and
Latin American Studies (3 units)
Distinguishes belief vs. knowledge and fact vs. opinion; examines relationship
between language/logic in structuring around arguments; uses deductive/inductive
reasoning; distinguishes and evaluates unsupported beliefs. Critical thinking
skills are applied to topics concerning questions of race, ethnicity, gender,
culture and class with a focus on Chicanos and Latin America. G.E. Foundation
A3. FS
CLAS 42B. Introduction to Chicano-Latino
Research Methods (3 units)
Prerequisite: CLAS 42A or permission of instructor. Introduces students
to basic research methodologies and theories pertaining to Chicano/Latino
communities. Focuses on identifying specific areas in need of further research;
locating and formulating problems; basic techniques including methods of
observation, gathering, and analysis of data; interpretation of data; access
database programs; preparation of research paper.
CLAS 70. Introduction to Latin American Studies
(3 units)
A basic overview of Latin America; its nations, history, problems, and realities.
Discusses theoretical paradigms used to analyze Latin American issues.
CLAS 100. Chicano Literature (3 units)
An interpretive analysis of written Chicano literature: poetry, drama, short
story, novel, and essay. The relationship between literature and a changing
Chicano sociocultural environment is explored.
CLAS 106. Folkloric Dance (3; repeatable
up to 12 units)
History and performance of Mexican folk music and dance; Indian, African,
Spanish, and European influences; contemporary relationships to Chicano
culture. F
CLAS 107. Latino Dance (2; max total 4 units)
Examination of origins, composition, and performance of various types of
Chicano/Latino music and dance: boleros, huapangos, cumbias, chachas, salsa;
emphasis on contemporary and cross-cultural influences in Chicano/Latino
music-and-dance. CR/NC grading only.
CLAS 108. Chicano Theatre (1-3; repeatable
up to 12 units)
Production of Chicano Theatre for major performances. Comedia del Arte,
Passion Plays, Theatre of the Absurd, Socially Popular Theatre: Teatro Compesino.
CLAS 112. Pre-Hispanic Civilizations (3 units)
Historical examination of the origins of the Maya-Aztec civilizations in
Meso America until 1521. The values, social organization, religion and their
daily lives, technological and scientific achievements will be examined.
CLAS 114. Mexico and the Southwest 1810-1910
(3 units)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Examines the development
of the Mexican nation from the Independence period to the Mexican Revolution
(1810-1910). Special attention is given to the nineteenth-century Mexican-American
and Chicano experience in the Southwest United States before the Treaty
of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848). G.E. Integration ID. FS
SU
CLAS 115. Mexico-U.S. Relations Since
1910 (3 units)
Historical perspective of the changing relationship between Mexico and the
United States during the 20th century. Analysis of the Mexican Revolution,
the Great Depression, World War II, immigration, and their impact on Mexico-U.S.
relations. Special emphasis on status of Mexicanos/Chicanos in the United
States.
CLAS 116. Cultural Change and the Latino
(3 units)
Prerequisite: CLAS 5 for CLAS majors. Examines the growing complexity and
diversity of the Latino population in the U.S. by analyzing its cultural,
political, social, and economic manifestations. Emphasizes its contribution
to the development of a multicultural nation during the late twentieth century.
S
CLAS 128. Contemporary Political Issues
(3 units)
Political philosophies, goals, and strategies of Chicanos and Latinos as
reflected in their attempts to gain political power.
CLAS 130. Latina/o Culture and Media Studies
(3 units)
Evaluates roles of mass media institutions in cultural/social development
of Latina/o communities and vice versa. Observes media and Latina/o community
social/cultural impacts in terms of gender, race/ethnicity, and social class
constructs. Looks at ideological agendas in national and international media.
CLAS 142. Chicano Research: Issues and Analysis
(3 units)
An interdisciplinary approach to research techniques with special emphasis
upon issues, problems, and research designs appropriate to the study of
Chicano communities. Field application of research plans, techniques including
methods of observation, gathering, and analyzing data.
CLAS 143. Bilingual/Bicultural Education
(3 units)
Prerequisite: CLAS 116; for CLAS majors and recommended for BCLAD students.
Investigation into what it means to be bilingual and bicultural; review
of programs scaled toward a more meaningful education for the Chicano child.
(Bilingual Education majors see department chair for further prerequisites.)
S
CLAS 145. Fieldwork in Community Settings
(3; max total 6 units)
Prerequisite: CLAS 3 or permission of instructor. Supervised placement in
community and educational settings. Provides a variety of learning experiences
in community agencies, organizations, or educational institutions. (Liberal
Studies Program and BCLAD students, see Advising
Notes.) FS
CLAS 152. The Chicano Family (3 units)
(Same as WS 152.) Traditional and changing relationships in the family structure
of the Chicano; interaction with wider institutional social system. S
CLAS 160. Sex, Race, and Class in American
Society (3 units)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation and G.E. Area D From an interdisciplinary
perspective, focuses on ethnic identity and gender and their interrelationship
with socioeconomic class structure in American society. Special attention
is given to analyzing how inequities in race, gender, and class structures
influence and shape social, economic, and political relations in society.
G.E. Multicultural/International MI. FS
CLAS 162. Chicana Women in a Changing Society
(3 units)
Focuses on current issues relevant to Chicana women in the workforce, the
family, the health care system, and the educational system. The intersection
of race, class, and gender will be the analytical context for examining
both their historical and contemporary roles.
CLAS 170. Latin American Studies (3 units)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation and G.E. Area D. Overview of the dynamic changes
in the nations of Latin America. Uses an interdisciplinary approach
that integrates a cultural, political, social, and economic perspective
to the study of Latin American countries. Helps students develop a better
understanding of the historical roots and circumstances that are shaping
the current realities of each nation. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.
FS
CLAS 171. Brazilian Culture and Society
(3 units)
Basic overview of the Brazilian culture in a historical perspective; concentrates
on the study of topics such as race politics, gender relations, authoritarian
and democratic regimes, and popular culture as they relate to different
stages in the country's history.
CLAS 180T. Topics of Chicano Society
(1-3 units; repeatable with different topics)
Culture, art forms, economy, and societal organization. Certain CLAS 180T
classes are CR/NC grading only. See department for further information.
CLAS 190. Independent Study (1-3; max total
6 units)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
Chicano and Latin American Studies
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