Center for Mexican American Studies

Mexican American Studies: MAS

Lower-Division Courses

MAS 307. Introduction to Mexican American Cultural Studies.

An introduction to the theoretical and substantive issues covered under the interdisciplinary rubric of cultural studies. Explores the Mexican American cultural experience through the methodological approaches of historical analysis, cultural critique, and literary production. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

MAS 308. Introduction to Mexican American Policy Studies.

An introduction to the basics of policy analysis, employing demographic and empirical information on the Mexican American and Latino populations in the United States. Current policy issues such as bilingual education, affirmative action, the English-only movement, immigration, Latino consumers, Latino entrepreneurship, and NAFTA. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

MAS 310 (TCCN: HUMA 1305). Chicanos in American Society.

Same as Sociology 309. Introduction to the study of American character and its bearing on the Chicano experience. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

MAS 312 (TCCN: GOVT 2311). Mexican American Politics.

Mexican American political life from 1848 to the present; focuses on Mexican American institutions, values, and political groups. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mexican American Studies 312 and 313 may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Three semester hours of lower-division coursework in government.

MAS 313. Latino Politics.

Analysis of issues involving political institutions and policies, with emphasis on Latino politics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mexican American Studies 312 and 313 may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Three semester hours of lower-division coursework in government.

MAS 314. Mexican American Literature and Culture.

Same as English 314V (Topic 3: Mexican American Literature and Culture). Introductory course concerned with representative contemporary Chicano writers and genres, such as poetry, prose fiction, and theatre. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May not be substituted for English 316K. Prerequisite: English 603A, Rhetoric and Writing 306, 306Q, or Tutorial Course 603A.

MAS 316. History of Mexican Americans in the United States.

Same as History 314K. Examines the origin and growth of the Mexican American community in the United States. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Partially fulfills legislative requirement for American history.

MAS 318. Mexican American Culture.

Same as Anthropology 318L. Mexican American cultural distinctiveness in the areas of social organization, child rearing, food culture, folklore, language, and religion. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

MAS 319. Special Topics.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Some topics partially fulfill legislative requirement for American history. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

Topic 1: Ethnicity and Gender: La Chicana. Same as Sociology 308D and Women's and Gender Studies 301 (Topic 6: Ethnicity and Gender: La Chicana).

MAS 119S, 219S, 319S, 419S, 519S, 619S, 719S, 819S, 919S. Topics in Mexican American Studies.

This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the Center for Mexican American Studies. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

Upper-Division Courses

MAS 320L. Texas until 1845.

Same as History 320L. A study of Texas from before the European discovery through the exploration and mission periods to status as a Mexican colony and an independent republic. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: History 320L, Mexican American Studies 320L, 374 (Topic: Texas until 1845). Three semester hours of Texas history may be substituted for half of the legislative requirement for American history. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

MAS 129S, 229S, 329S, 429S, 529S, 629S, 729S, 829S, 929S. Topics in Mexican American Studies.

This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the Center for Mexican American Studies. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer work is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

MAS 350. Advanced Grammar and Composition for Bilingual/Bicultural Speakers.

Designed for Hispanic bilingual students whose home language is Spanish, but whose dominant language is English. The principal objective is to learn to write correctly and proficiently and to gain a strong cultural perspective on Latin America. The main focus of the course is on writing discourse, but oral language development is also addressed. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. International Business 372 (Topic 8: Business Spanish) and Mexican American Studies 350 may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Spanish 612 or 312L.

MAS 361. Mexican American Cultural Studies Seminar.

Explores cultural studies literature as read through the experience of the Mexican-origin community in the United States. Discussions include race, class, and feminism. Students write a research paper and deliver a scholarly presentation. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and Mexican American Studies 307.

MAS 362. Mexican American Policy Studies Seminar.

Profiles the current economic status of Mexican Americans in the United States. Examines two dimensions of public policy: historical trends and comparisons with other ethnic groups. Students write a policy report and deliver a professional presentation. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mexican American Studies 362 and 374 (Topic: Mexican American Public Policy Issues) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and Mexican American Studies 308.

MAS 371. Readings in Mexican American Studies.

Supervised readings with parallel work in relevant non-Chicano materials; preparation for Mexican American Studies 372. Individual instruction. Prerequisite: Mexican American Studies 310, 318, and 374; or consent of the director.

MAS 372. Research Seminar in Mexican American Studies.

Supervised research on a Mexican American topic chosen in consultation with adviser and leading to a full-length essay. Individual instruction. Prerequisite: Mexican American Studies 310, 318, and 374; or consent of the director.

MAS 373. Independent Research.

Individual instruction. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Mexican American Studies 310, 318, and 374; or consent of the director.

MAS 374. Special Topics.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Additional hours are required for some topics; these topics are identified in the Course Schedule. Some topics partially fulfill legislative requirement for American history. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 2: Life and Literature of the Southwest--Mexican American. Same as English 342 (Topic 1: Life and Literature of the Southwest--Mexican American). Verse, fiction, travels, and memoirs, to acquaint students with the literature reflecting the social inheritance of Texas and the neighboring territory. Prerequisite: Nine semester hours of coursework in English or rhetoric and writing.
Topic 3: Chicanos: Sociological Perspectives. Anglo-American and Mexican American contacts and relations in the southwestern United States from colonial times to the present; emphasis on social and cultural differences and problems of assimilation. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 4: Narrative Journalism. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Journalism 335, Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 11: Latino Community Journalism), 322 (Topic 11: Narrative Journalism), Mexican American Studies 374 (Topic 4: Latino Community Journalism), 374 (Topic 4: Narrative Journalism). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 6: Feature Writing. Same as Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 4: Feature Writing). Procedures in gathering material for feature stories, with stress on newspaper articles; analysis of reader appeal; study of feature story structure; development of style by practice in writing feature stories. Only one of the following may be counted: Journalism 327, Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 4), Mexican American Studies 374 (Topic 6). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.
Topic 8: Mexican Americans in the Schooling Process. Same as Educational Psychology 362 (Topic 4: Mexican Americans in the Schooling Process). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 9: Hispanic Images and Counterimages. Same as Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 1: Hispanic Images and Counterimages) and Radio-Television-Film 359S (Topic 1: Hispanic Images and Counterimages). The critical analysis of Hispanic images in media. Three lecture hours and one two-hour film screening a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For radio-television-film majors, upper-division standing and the following coursework, with a grade of at least C in each course: Radio-Television-Film 305, either 314 or 316, and six additional semester hours of lower-division coursework in radio-television-film; for others, upper-division standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 10: Latino Audiences. Same as Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 2: Latino Audiences) and Radio-Television-Film 365 (Topic 2: Latino Audiences). Prerequisite: For radio-television-film majors: upper-division standing and the following coursework, with a grade of at least C in each course: Radio-Television-Film 305 and nine additional semester hours of lower-division coursework in radio-television-film; for others, upper-division standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 11: Mass Media and Ethnic Groups. Same as Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 3: Mass Media and Ethnic Groups) and Radio-Television-Film 365 (Topic 3: Mass Media and Ethnic Groups). Prerequisite: For radio-television-film majors: upper-division standing and the following coursework, with a grade of at least C in each course: Radio-Television-Film 305 and nine additional semester hours of lower-division coursework in radio-television-film; for others, upper-division standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 14: United States-Mexican Border Relations. Same as Government 337M (Topic 4: United States-Mexican Border Relations) and Latin American Studies 337M (Topic 4: United States-Mexican Border Relations). Prerequisite: Six semester hours of lower-division coursework in government.
Topic 15: Latino Politics. Same as Latin American Studies 337M (Topic 8: Latino Politics) and Government 370K (Topic 2: Latino Politics). Prerequisite: Six semester hours of lower-division coursework in government.
Topic 16: Texas, 1914 to the Present. Same as History 320R and Urban Studies 353 (Topic 2: Texas, 1914 to the Present). The steady dissociation of Texas from its Old South status to a transitional state and a power in national politics. Three semester hours of Texas history may be substituted for half of the legislative requirement for American history. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 17: International Communication: Third World Issues. Same as Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 7: International Communication: Third World Issues) and Radio-Television-Film 342 (Topic 3: Third World Issues). Prerequisite: For radio-television-film majors, upper-division standing; consent of instructor; and the following coursework, with a grade of at least C in each course: Radio-Television-Film 305 and nine additional semester hours of lower-division coursework in radio-television-film; for others, upper-division standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 22: Minorities and the Media. Issues concerning minority or nondominant groups within the United States. Survey of minority communication problems: alienation, fragmentation, media and Internet access; criticism and feedback for minority groups based on racial/ethnic background, age, sex, disability, social or economic class, and sexual orientation. Only one of the following may be counted: Journalism 340C (Topic 1: Mass Media and Minorities), 341H, Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 10: Minorities and the Media), Mexican American Studies 374 (Topic 22), Urban Studies 354 (Topic: Mass Media and Minorities), Women's and Gender Studies 340 (Topic 21: Minorities and the Media). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 23: Mexican American Indigenous Heritage. Same as Anthropology 322M (Topic 10: Mexican American Indigenous Heritage). The prehistory, history, and contemporary racial understanding of Mexican Americans. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 24: Latinos and Media. Same as Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 12: Latinos and Media) and Radio-Television-Film 365 (Topic 6: Latinos and Media). Prerequisite: For radio-television-film majors, upper-division standing and the following coursework, with a grade of at least C in each course: Radio-Television-Film 305 and nine additional semester hours of lower-division coursework in radio-television-film; for others, upper-division standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 25: Chicano Educational Struggles. Same as Educational Psychology 362 (Topic 5: Chicano Educational Struggles). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 28: Politics and Culture of Contemporary Mexico. Same as Government 337M (Topic 5: Politics and Culture of Contemporary Mexico), Latin American Studies 325 (Topic 3: Politics and Culture of Contemporary Mexico), and Sociology 338M. Introduction to the contemporary Mexican political system and the ways in which political change and democratization are recasting the political and civic culture of contemporary Mexico. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and six semester hours of lower-division coursework in government.
Topic 29: Mexican and Mexican American Ballads. Same as Latin American Studies 370S (Topic 20: Mexican and Mexican American Ballads) and Spanish 350 (Topic 11: Mexican and Mexican American Ballads). Examines the corrido genre in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with special focus on its pivotal role in the Mexican Revolution and in the collision between cultures in the border zone. Prerequisite: Spanish 322K or 328.
Topic 32: Radical Latinos. Same as American Studies 370 (Topic 39: Radical Latinos). Examines the social positioning and history of Latinas/os in the United States. Analyzes the histories of Latinas/os who have gone against mainstream expectations, or who have challenged or critiqued the status quo in provocative and unexpected ways. Only one of the following may be counted: American Studies 370 (Topic Radical Latinos), 370 (Topic 39), Mexican American Studies 374 (Topic: Radical Latinos), 374 (Topic 32). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

MAS 375. Internship.

Restricted to Mexican American studies majors. Students participate in a nonpartisan, direct-service capacity in a community, civic, or government organization or program that facilitates the economic, political, and social development of the Mexican American community. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students write a report based on the internship project. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Additional weekly meeting times are sometimes required. With consent of the director or academic adviser, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Mexican American Studies 310, 318, and 374; or consent of the director.

MAS 679H. Honors Tutorial Course.

Restricted to Mexican American studies majors. Supervised research, readings, and writing of a substantial paper on a Mexican American studies topic. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters. Prerequisite: For 679HA, Mexican American Studies 361, 362, or 372 with a grade of A; admission to the Mexican American Studies Honors Program no later than two semesters before expected graduation; a University grade point average of at least 3.00; and a grade point average in Mexican American studies of at least 3.50; for 679HB, Mexican American Studies 679HA.