About the Program

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The  Chicano Studies major offers an interdisciplinary curriculum of academic study that critically examines the historical and contemporary experiences of people of Mexican descent in the context of American society and institutions. Moreover, in light of continuous immigration from Mexico, and now Central America, the Chicano studies major curriculum includes the study of particular aspects of Mexican history, culture, and politics as they bear upon the Chicano community, past and present. Emphasis is given in the major to the student developing a broad knowledge of the Chicano experience. Thus, the major stresses the analysis of the interrelationships in the historical background, cultural patterns, and artistic expressions of the Chicano community in order to acquire a well-rounded, in-depth understanding of the contemporary interface between Chicanos and American society. In this connection, the major strives to incorporate various disciplines in its approach, such as political science, sociology, anthropology, history, literary criticism, and art. Through the interdisciplinary nature of our curriculum, the major is aimed at preparing students for incorporation into the world of work and for a wide range of advanced graduate work and/or professional training in various fields.

Honors Program

The Chicano Studies Program provides a program leading to the BA degree with honors. A student must have senior standing; a 3.5 GPA overall; and 3.5 GPA in the major. To complete the degree with honors the student will be required to undertake a 6-unit research project (CHICANO H195A and CHICANO H195B) and will be graded according to standards determined by the faculty adviser as being of honors quality.

Minor Program

The department offers a minor in Chicano Studies. For further information regarding how to declare the minor, please see the department's website .

Other Majors and Minors Offered by the Department of Ethnic Studies

Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies  (Major and Minor)
Ethnic Studies  (Major and Minor)
Native American Studies  (Major and Minor)

Visit Department Website

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

1. All courses taken to fulfill the major requirements below must be taken for graded credit, other than courses listed which are offered on a Pass/No Pass basis only. Other exceptions to this requirement are noted as applicable.
2. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs, with the exception of minors offered outside of the College of Letters & Science.
3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in both upper and lower division courses used to fulfill the major requirements.

For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

Lower Division Major Requirements

Upper Division Major Requirements 

Minor Requirements

Students who have a strong interest in an area of study outside their major often decide to complete a minor program. These programs have set requirements and are noted officially on the transcript in the memoranda section, but are not noted on diplomas.

General Guidelines

1. All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements below must be taken for graded credit.
2. A minimum of three of the upper division courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be completed at UC Berkeley.
3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.
4. Courses used to fulfill the minor requirements may be applied toward the Seven-Course Breadth requirement, for Letters and Science students.
5. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs.
6. All minor requirements must be completed prior to the last day of finals during the semester in which you plan to graduate. If you cannot finish all courses required for the minor by that time, please see a College of Letters & Science adviser.
7. All minor requirements must be completed within the unit ceiling. (For further information regarding the unit ceiling, please see the College Requirements tab.)

Requirements

College Requirements

Undergraduate students in the College of Letters & Science must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those required by their major program.

For detailed lists of courses that fulfill college requirements, please see the College of Letters & Sciences  page in this Guide.

Entry Level Writing

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing requirement. Fulfillment of this requirement is also a prerequisite to enrollment in all reading and composition courses at UC Berkeley. 

American History and American Institutions

The American History and Institutions requirements are based on the principle that a US resident graduated from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

American Cultures

American Cultures is the one requirement that all undergraduate students at Cal need to take and pass in order to graduate. The requirement offers an exciting intellectual environment centered on the study of race, ethnicity and culture of the United States. AC courses offer students opportunities to be part of research-led, highly accomplished teaching environments, grappling with the complexity of American Culture.

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is designed to ensure that students graduate with basic understanding and competency in math, statistics, or computer science. The requirement may be satisfied by exam or by taking an approved course.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language requirement may be satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in reading comprehension, writing, and conversation in a foreign language equivalent to the second semester college level, either by passing an exam or by completing approved course work.

Reading and Composition

In order to provide a solid foundation in reading, writing and critical thinking the College requires two semesters of lower division work in composition. Students must complete a first-level reading and composition course by the end of their second semester and a second-level course by the end of their fourth semester.

Breadth Requirements

The undergraduate breadth requirements provide Berkeley students with a rich and varied educational experience outside of their major program. As the foundation of a liberal arts education, breadth courses give students a view into the intellectual life of the University while introducing them to a multitude of perspectives and approaches to research and scholarship. Engaging students in new disciplines and with peers from other majors, the breadth experience strengthens interdisciplinary connections and context that prepares Berkeley graduates to understand and solve the complex issues of their day.

Unit Requirements

• 120 total units, including at least 60 L&S units

• Of the 120 units, 36 must be upper division units

• Of the 36 upper division units, 6 must be taken in courses offered outside your major department

Residence Requirements

For units to be considered in "residence," you must be registered in courses on the Berkeley campus as a student in the College of Letters & Science. Most students automatically fulfill the residence requirement by attending classes here for four years. In general, there is no need to be concerned about this requirement, unless you go abroad for a semester or year or want to take courses at another institution or through University Extension during your senior year. In these cases, you should make an appointment to see an adviser to determine how you can meet the Senior Residence Requirement.

Note: Courses taken through UC Extension do not count toward residence.

Senior Residence Requirement

After you become a senior (with 90 semester units earned toward your BA degree), you must complete at least 24 of the remaining 30 units in residence in at least two semesters. To count as residence, a semester must consist of at least 6 passed units. Intercampus Visitor, EAP, and UC Berkeley-Washington Program (UCDC) units are excluded.

You may use a Berkeley summer session to satisfy one semester of the Senior Residence requirement, provided that you successfully complete 6 units of course work in the Summer Session and that you have been enrolled previously in the college.

Modified Senior Residence Requirement

Participants in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) or the UC Berkeley Washington Program (UCDC) may meet a Modified Senior Residence requirement by completing 24 (excluding EAP) of their final 60 semester units in residence. At least 12 of these 24 units must be completed after you have completed 90 units.

Upper Division Residence Requirement

You must complete in residence a minimum of 18 units of upper division courses (excluding EAP units), 12 of which must satisfy the requirements for your major.

Student Learning Goals

Learning Goals of the Major

Undergraduates are expected to obtain the following skills by the time they graduate. These skills belong to five different general areas: historical knowledge, empirical knowledge and quantitative methods, interpretation and qualitative analysis, theory and critique, and community service. They are:

1. Historical Knowledge
   • Familiarity with the history of modern Western civilization, including European expansion, conquest, and enslavement.
   • Specific knowledge of the modern history of at least three different ethno-racial groups.
   • Acquaintance with debates in historiography, particularly as they relate to the use of history in relation to the understanding of people of color.
   • For students who specialize in history, proper use of primary and secondary historical sources, as well as the writing of scholarly historical work.
2. Empirical Knowledge and Quantitative Methods
   • Familiarity with different methods of gathering empirical data about human communities (anthropological, sociological, etc.).
   • Knowledge of critical debates about the use and implications of traditional methods of gathering empirical data to obtain knowledge about communities of color.
   • Identification of proper methods to conduct research, and awareness of the limits and possibilities of such methods.
   • Creative use, delimitation, and expansion of methods of empirical and quantitative study based on the nature of the problems and questions addressed in the research as well as the object of study.
3. Interpretation and Qualitative Analysis
   • Acquaintance with major methods and debates in the humanities.
   • Familiarity with the art, film, literature, or music of at least three different ethno-racial groups.
   • Identification of proper methods to conduct research about the creative products of human communities, and ethno-racial communities in particular.
   • Creative use, delimitation, and expansion of methods of qualitative analysis based on the nature of the problems and questions addressed in the research as well as the object of study.
4. Theory and Critique
   • Familiarity with major theories of race and ethnicity and their intersections and constitutive relations with class, gender, and sexuality.
   • Acquaintance with theories of space and place, including indigeneity, Diaspora, migration, and nation, as well as their use in determining the unit of analysis.
   • Use of comparison and contrast for evaluating and producing theory as well as for critical analysis.
   • Creative use of philosophies and theories that are relevant to the understanding and critical analysis of the social contexts, interpersonal dynamics, and multiple creative productions of ethno-racial communities.
5. Service Learning
   • Further refinement and enrichment of the above listed skills in settings where the students interact with communities of color and/or their productions.

Advising

Departmental Major Advising

We strive to deliver personalized advising services of the highest quality. We seek to continuously educate ourselves on developments in our field and to evaluate, improve, and streamline our services to support students in obtaining the best education and experience possible.

Advising Staff and Advising Hours

Dewey St. Germaine: Monday through Friday, 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m., or by appointment
deweystg@berkeley.edu
530 Barrows Hall
510-643-6420

Laura Jimenez-Olvera: Monday through Friday, 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m., or by appointment
lauraj@berkeley.edu
532 Barrows Hall
510-642-0243

Mailing Address

Department of Ethnic Studies
506 Barrows Hall
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-2570

Academic Opportunities

Berkeley Connect in Ethnic Studies

Berkeley Connect in Ethnic Studies matches interested students with ethnic studies graduate student mentors in a semester-long, 1 unit program that includes individual advising, small-group discussions, special events and excursions. Through this program, you will become part of a community of like-minded faculty, mentors, and students that will provide a supportive environment in which to exchange and discuss ideas and goals. Berkeley Connect will help you to make the most of your time at the university as you learn more about the majors offered through the Department of Ethnic Studies. For further information, please see the Berkeley Connect website .

Study Abroad

The Chicano/Latino Studies program encourages all undergraduate majors to consider study abroad opportunities. Whether you are interested in fulfilling major and/or general education requirements, taking courses related to a future career, improving or learning language skills, or simply living and studying in a country that is of interest to you, we will work with you to make it happen. For information about study abroad programs, please see the Berkeley Study Abroad website .

Prizes and Awards

The Department of Ethnic Studies offers the Dr. Carlos Munoz Jr. Scholar/Activist Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded each semester and recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership and activism in their community on and off campus.

Courses

Chicano/Latino Studies

Faculty and Instructors

Faculty

Thomas J. Biolsi, Professor. Native Americans, American Indians, governmentality.
Research Profile

Carolyn Chen, Associate Professor.

Catherine Ceniza Choy, Professor. Asian American history, Filipino American studies, immigration history, adoption studies, nursing history.
Research Profile

Raul Coronado, Associate Professor.

Keith Feldman, Assistant Professor. Critical theory, US cultural studies, Israel-Palestine, theories of race and ethnicity, comparative diaspora studies, public humanities.
Research Profile

Ramon Grosfoguel, Associate Professor. Global cities, international migration, ethnic studies, race/ethnicity, latino studies, Caribbean Studies, Latin American Studies, international comparative development, political-economy of the world-systems, urban sociology.
Research Profile

Shari Huhndorf, Professor. Interdisciplinary Native American studies, cultural studies, gender studies, American studies, literary and visual culture.
Research Profile

Beatriz Manz, Professor. Latin America, human rights, peasantry, migrations, social movements, political conflict, Mayan communities in Guatemala, issues of memory, grief.
Research Profile

David Montejano, Professor. Social change, historical sociology, political sociology, community studies, race & ethnic relations.
Research Profile

Michael Omi, Associate Professor. Racial politics, racial theory, racial stratification, racial and ethnic categories and the US Census, racist and anti-racist social movements.
Research Profile

Laura E. Perez, Associate Professor. Chicano studies, US Latina and Latin American women's writing, Chicana/o literature, visual arts, contemporary cultural theory, Latin American women's oppositional writings.
Research Profile

Beth Piatote, Associate Professor. Native American studies.
Research Profile

John Powell, Professor. Civil rights and civil liberties, structural racialization, racial justice and regionalism, concentrated poverty and urban sprawl, opportunity based housing, voting rights, affirmative action in the United States, South Africa and Brazil, racial and ethnic identity, spirituality and social justice, and the needs of citizens in a democratic society.
Research Profile

Alex M. Saragoza, Associate Professor. Ideology, modern Mexico, Latin American history, structural origins of Mexican migration, cultural formations in Mexico, Mexican cinema, radio, television.
Research Profile

Lok Siu, Associate Professor.

Raymond Telles, Associate Adjunct Professor.

Khatharya Um, Associate Professor. Education, memory, Southeast Asian Studies, Asian American histories and communities, Southeast Asian diaspora, refugees, international migration, transnational and diaspora studies, genocide studies.
Research Profile

Chris Zepeda-Millan, Assistant Professor. Immigration, social movements, race, ethnic studies, Latino Politics, research methods.
Research Profile

Lecturers

Hatem A. Bazian, Lecturer. Near Eastern studies.
Research Profile

Francisco Casique, Lecturer.

Gregory P. Choy, Lecturer.

Christopher Chua, Lecturer.

Harvey C. Dong, Lecturer.

Tom Fleming, Lecturer.

Pablo Gonzalez, Lecturer.

Lisa Hirai Tsuchitani, Lecturer.

Anna P. Leong, Lecturer.

Enrique E. Lima, Lecturer.

Hannah B. Michell, Lecturer.

Joseph A. Myers, Lecturer.

Fae M. Ng, Lecturer.

Diane J. Pearson, Lecturer.

Victoria E. Robinson, Lecturer.

Celia H. Rodriguez, Lecturer.

Jane K. Singh, Lecturer.

Winston Tseng, Lecturer.

Keiko Yamanaka, Lecturer.

Emeritus Faculty

Norma Alarcon, Professor Emeritus.

Robert Allen, Professor Emeritus.

Mario Barrera, Professor Emeritus. Theories of ethnicity, ethnic minority films.
Research Profile

Evelyn Nakano Glenn, Professor Emeritus. Labor, citizenship, undocumented students, caring work, settler colonialism, skin color bias.
Research Profile

Patricia Penn Hilden, Professor Emeritus. Ethnicity, gender, museums, race, North America, Native Americans, slavery in the Caribbean, feminist studies.
Research Profile

Elaine H. Kim, Professor Emeritus. Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies.
Research Profile

Carlos Jr. Munoz, Professor Emeritus. Immigration, Mexican American politics, ethnic and racial politics, multiculturalism, affirmative action.
Research Profile

Jose D. Saldivar, Professor Emeritus.

L. Ling-Chi Wang, Professor Emeritus.

Sau-Ling Cynthia Wong, Professor Emeritus. Ethnicity, sexuality, telecommunications, Asian Americans, demographic transformation, fragmentation, globalization, transportation, internet technology, international conference, construction of gender.
Research Profile