Program Overview

BA in Chicano Studies Online

The BA in Chicano Studies Online is a multidisciplinary curriculum designed to impart knowledge about the Mexican-origin population, its distribution in the U.S., as well as its history, literature, culture, economic features, social issues, and language. This program is offered through UTEP Online and aims to provide individuals with the opportunity to prepare for careers in community development programs and teaching at all levels, as well as graduate study in the fields of the humanities, social sciences, law, and public policy.

Marketable Skills

• Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate issues in order to solve problems and develop informed opinions
• Entrepreneurship: Develop, organize, and manage ideas and opportunities turning them into new products, services, firms, or industries
• Research: Be able to search, investigate and critically analyze information in response to a specific research question
• Social skills: Develop cross-cultural communicative competency in English and Spanish
• Teamwork: Participate as an effective, efficient member of a group in order to meet a common goal
• Writing: Be able to write in a clear and comprehensible manner to the reader

Additionally, students will become knowledgeable of U.S.-Mexico border dynamics, acquire specific cultural knowledge of the Mexican origin population, become bilingual and bi-literate at a professional level, and gain knowledge of business, industry, and government work environments via internships.

Degree Plan

The degree plan for the BA in Chicano Studies Online includes:

• University Core Curriculum requirements (42 hours)
• Chicano Studies Major requirements, including:
  • Required Courses (21 hours)
    • CHIC 3302: Chicano Cinema
    • CHIC 3305: Chic Ident Form:Race,Class&Gen
    • CHIC 2311: Intro to Chicano Studies
    • CHIC 3339: Cultural Diversity & Youth: US
    • CHIC 3344: Chicana/o Theatre
    • CHIC 4301: Chicano Legal History
    • CHIC 4309: American Immigration & Soc Jus
    • ENGL 3310: Chicana/o Literature
    • HIST 3309: Mexican-American History
    • POLS 4315: Latinos In Amer Political Syst
  • Term Paper: A writing assignment with a minimum grade of B in an upper-division major course
  • Additional Electives: 24 hours of upper-division courses
  • Open Electives: Additional hours to complete a total of 120 hours
  • Foreign Language: 6 credits of Foreign Language, all in the same language sequence (only Spanish language courses are offered online)
  • Block Electives: 12 upper-division hours from the blocks below, with 3 to 6 hours in each

University Core Curriculum

The University Core Curriculum includes:

• Communication (6 hours)
• American History (6 hours)
• Language, Philosophy & Culture (3 hours)
• Mathematics (3 hours)
• Life & Physical Sciences (6 hours)
• Political Science (6 hours)
• Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)
• Creative Arts (3 hours)
• Component Area Option (6 hours)

Block Electives

Block electives are categorized into:

• Fine and Performing Arts
• Humanities
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Each category offers a range of courses that can be selected to fulfill the block elective requirements.

4-Year Sample Degree Plan

A sample 4-year degree plan for the BA in Chicano Studies Online is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester to complete the degree in four years. The plan includes a mix of core curriculum, major requirements, electives, and block electives, ensuring that students meet all the necessary requirements for graduation.