You are in the official 2009-2010 General Catalog 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)
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
(Formerly CLS 3)
CLAS 5. Chicano Culture (3)
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
(Formerly CLS 5)
CLAS 7. Music of Mexico and the Southwest (3)
A study of Mexico's musical culture starting from its pre-Columbian origins
to the present and its impact on contemporary Chicano music. (Formerly CLS
7)
CLAS 9. Chicano Artistic Expression (3)
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 (Formerly CLS 9)
CLAS 30. Critical Thinking in Chicano and Latin American Studies (3)
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 (Formerly CLS 30)
CLAS 42B. Introduction to Chicano-Latino Research Methods (3)
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. (Formerly CLS 180T section,
CLS 42B)
CLAS 70. Introduction to Latin American Studies (3)
A basic overview of Latin America; its nations, history, problems, and realities.
Discusses theoretical paradigms used to analyze Latin American issues. (Formerly
CLS 70)
CLAS 72. Latin American Creative Expression (3)
Provides students with an understanding of the cultural history and contributions
of Latin American nations. Explores the art and writings of individuals
such as Diego Rivera, Pablo Neruda, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Isabel Allende.
(Formerly CLS 72)
CLAS 100. Chicano Literature (3)
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. (Formerly CLS 100)
CLAS 101. Chicano Art (3; max total 6)
Chicano Studio Arts, including various media such as oil, ceramics, weaving,
sand painting, and murals that relate to the heritage of the Chicano. Special
emphasis on individual development of artistic and technical expression.
(Formerly CLS 101)
CLAS 103. Chicano Folklore (3)
An analysis of Chicano folklore and its relationship to earlier Indo-Hispanic
antecedents. Emphasis is placed on the folk arts: verbal, material, and
musical as well as folk beliefs and practices, as these have been modified
by intercultural contact. (Formerly CLS 103)
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 (Formerly CLS 106)
CLAS 107. Latino Dance (2; max total 4)
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. (Formerly CLS 107)
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.
(Formerly CLS 108)
CLAS 112. Pre-Hispanic Civilizations (3)
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.
(Formerly CLS 112)
CLAS 114. Mexico and the Southwest 1810-1910 (3)
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 (Formerly CLS 114)
CLAS 115. Mexico-U.S. Relations Since 1910 (3)
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. (Formerly CLS 115)
CLAS 116. Cultural Change and the Latino (3)
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 (Formerly CLS 116)
CLAS 128. Contemporary Political Issues (3)
Political philosophies, goals, and strategies of Chicanos and Latinos as
reflected in their attempts to gain political power. (Formerly CLS 128)
CLAS 129. Chicano/Latino Leadership (2)
Provides students with important leadership skills, organizational and decision-
making abilities. It includes an internship with a campus or community agency
and enables students to take a more active role in the community. (Formerly
CLS 129)
CLAS 142. Chicano Research: Issues and Analysis (3)
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. (Formerly CLS 142)
CLAS 143. Bilingual/Bicultural Education (3)
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 (Formerly CLS 143)
CLAS 145. Fieldwork in Community Settings (3; max total 6)
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 (Formerly CLS 145)
CLAS 152. The Chicano Family (3)
(Same as WS 152.) Traditional and changing relationships in the family structure
of the Chicano; interaction with wider institutional social system. S (Formerly CLS 152)
CLAS 156. The Chicano Adolescent (3)
The adjustment of Chicano adolescents to American society and its impact
on self, peer group relations, and family life; with emphasis on sources
of conflict and tension. (Formerly CLS 156)
CLAS 160. Sex, Race, and Class in American Society (3)
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 (Formerly CLS 160)
CLAS 162. Chicana Women in a Changing Society (3)
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. (Formerly CLS 162)
CLAS 170. Latin American Studies (3)
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 (Formerly CLS 170)
CLAS 180T. Topics of Chicano Society
(1-3; 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.
(Formerly CLS 180T)
CLAS 190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading. (Formerly CLS 190)
Chicano and Latin American Studies
Degrees