Social Justice Studies: Chicana and Chicano Studies

The Associate in Arts in Social Justice Studies-Chicana and Chicano Studies for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies. Students completing this degree will have an introductory foundation for the field of Social Justice Studies-Chicana and Chicano Studies. The AA-T is designed to provide students with an opportunity to examine the historical and contemporary experiences of persons of Mexican descent residing in the United States. Students will be exposed to an interdisciplinary approach that combines culture, sociology, politics, and the arts; along with a variety of topics. More specifically, the curriculum seeks to teach social awareness, challenge systems of oppression, and provide a critical history of the Mexican people and their relationship to power. Courses highlight a rigorous study of race and racism, class, gender, sexuality, religion, and trace the impacts of colonialism and white supremacy. Nevertheless, Mexican culture continues to be resilient and rooted in Mesoamerican ways of life and cultural patterns. The field is vast and ever changing, yet it remains true to the core tenets of social justice, decolonization, self and community empowerment, and especially freedom from subjugation.

The following Associate Degree for Transfer completion requirements must be met:

1. Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
2. The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
3. A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
4. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Learning Outcome(s):

1. Upon successful completion of the major requirements for this degree, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history of the Chicana/o in the United States.
2. Upon successful completion of the major requirements for this degree, students will be able demonstrate knowledge of theoretical perspectives of social justice in Chicano Studies, institutional oppression, Structural violence and marginalization, de-colonialism, and intersectional identities.