Ethnic Studies
Ethnic studies is the interdisciplinary study of race and ethnicity. The program gives special focus on four historically defined racialized groups: Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, and Chicanas/os & U.S. Latinas/os.
The Ethnic Studies Program offers a local A.A. degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies. The Associate in Arts provides interdisciplinary research methods, theories, and concepts in Chicana and Chicano Studies to understand and interpret the experiences, communities, and histories of Mexican Americans and U.S. Latinas, Latinos, and Latine. This degree can serve as the basis for further undergraduate education in Chicano Studies and similar fields at a four-year institution of higher learning.
Course Offerings
All courses in Ethnic Studies offered at AVC transfer to California State University (CSU) campuses satisfying the undergraduate graduation requirement to pass a 3-unit Ethnic Studies course. Courses are added regularly; see the official AVC Schedule.
Chicana and Chicano History: Pre-Cuauhtémoc to U.S.-Mexico War
Advisory: Completion of ENGL101
This Ethnic Studies course utilizes an interdisciplinary approach in Chicana/o Latina/o Studies to introduce students to the histories and contributions of Chicana/o languages, cultures, and societies up to 1850. The course reviews historical and contemporary theories, philosophies, and methods to assess the political, economic, and social influences of Pre-Cuauhtémoc tribes, city-states, and civilizations on critical events, cultures, intellectual traditions, lived-experiences, and the contested meanings of America, Spain, Mexico, and United States. Attention is given to racism and racialization in respects to imperialism, colonization, White Supremacy, racism, dispossession, systemic oppression, identity and solidarity, racial justice, decolonization, liberation, and self-determination grounded in theories and methodologies in Chicana/o Latina/o Studies. (CSU, AVC)
Chicana and Chicano History: Post U.S.-Mexico War to the Present
Advisory: Completion of ENGL101
This Ethnic Studies course utilizes an interdisciplinary approach in Chicana/o Studies to introduce students to a detailed history of the contributions and experiences of Chicana/o and Latina/o communities from 1848 to the present. The course centers the Chicana/o experience to understand critical events, social movements, issues, and decolonization within the context of both Mexican and U.S. cultural influences in the United States. The course brings attention to systems of oppression foregrounding race and ethnicity, including histories and legacies of colonialism and indigenous dispossession, imperialism and immigration, and the artistic and intellectual contributions of Chicanas/os and Latinas/os/x. In addition, the causes and significance behind Central American immigration is explored as part of contemporary Chicana/o History. Moreover, the course highlights the contributions made by Chicanas/os and Latinas/os/x in addressing systemic inequality and racism in society and struggle for social justice, self-determination, liberation, anti-racism, decolonization, identity, and political representation. (CSU, AVC)
Introduction to Chicanas and Latinas in U.S. Society
Advisory: Completion of ENGL101
This Ethnic Studies course utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to introduce students the contributions of women of Mexican ancestry (Chicanas) and other Latina women in U.S. society. Applying historical and contemporary theories, philosophies, concepts, issues, and social movements, the course explores the intersectionality of gender and sexuality with race, class, religion, national origin, and immigration status as well as current social, political, cultural, and economic experiences of women of indigenous and Latin American origin in the United States. In addition, the course examines the historical legacy of colonization, religion, indigenous spirituality, and eurocentrism while also probing contemporary issues regarding family, education, economics, social conditions, health, literature, film and Chicana popular culture. (CSU, AVC)
Introduction to the Central American Experience
Advisory: Completion of ENGL101
This Ethnic Studies course provides an interdisciplinary approach to introduce the Central American experience in the United States with emphasis on the transnational connections between the countries of origin and the communities of residence in the United States. Students learn about the experience of Central Americans by critically analyzing race, racism, racialization, ethnicity, equity, ethno-centrism, eurocentrism, white supremacy, self-determination, liberation, decolonization, sovereignty, imperialism, settler colonialism, and anti-racism. Students learn about the conditions in Central America that lead to emigration to the United States. Additionally, the course investigates specific challenges faced by Central American migrants on their journeys to the United States and critically examine the struggle for racial and social justice in the United States. Students critically examine the connection between transnational politics as it relates to migration and immigration to the United States for the Central Americans. The course also examines support networks established in the United States to help these communities adapt to their new homeland. (CSU, AVC)