Chicano and Latin American Studies

The Chicano and Latin American Studies Department provides an interdisciplinary academic setting where faculty, students, and visiting Chicano and Latin American scholars can create a dynamic intellectual environment for analysis of the Chicano and Latin American experience. Students learn important professional skills that can be utilized to interact constructively with Chicano/Latino communities in the U.S. and countries in Latin America. The program emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Chicano and Latin American history, family life, politics, culture and the arts, and offers a Bachelor of Arts degree. The department is also home to the Central Valley's major Mexican folkloric dance program, Los Danzantes de Aztlan.

The faculty has a wide array of research interests and expertise, with Ph.D. s in disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, history, political science and education. The department offers minors in Chicano/Latino Studies and Latin American Studies. CLS students go on to careers in law, medicine, health sciences, social services, education, business, and government.