Latinx Studies Option, Arts and Science, A.A.

CONTACT

Raúl D. Gutiérrez, 413.552.2817, rgutierrez@hcc.edu

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Latinx Studies is the interdisciplinary study of the historical, social, cultural, political, and economic forces that have shaped and continue to shape the development of Americans of Latinx origin and ancestry over the last 500 years. People of Latinx origin include a diverse population; these are communities who trace their ancestry to Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. This program’s focus is on people of Latin American descent within the Western Hemisphere, in particular within the United States. Courses in Latinx studies consider the intersections of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality and how they affect the lives of Latinx people. The emphasis in these courses is on the experience of Latinx as residents and citizens of the United States and not on their countries of origin or descent.

The curriculum in Latinx studies provides a critical civic engagement and an understanding and appreciation of the language, culture, literature, and creative (art, dance, drama, film, music) accomplishments of Latinx communities. Latinx studies contributes to many fields and is appropriate for anyone planning to work with diverse communities and cultures. Latinx studies draws from and is informed by the humanities and social sciences and prepares students for jobs in a range of fields and for transfer to four-year baccalaureate programs.

The program prepares students for transfer to a 4-year institution, and is suited for students who wish to pursue careers in the field of:

City and Urban planning
Community Arts
Counseling
Environmental Justice
Grassroots/Union organizing
Immigrant rights
International Relations
Law/Advocacy
Legal Advocacy
Policy Analysis
Youth work

As demonstrated by the curricular map below, this area of study will give students the opportunity to apply and integrate the HCC General Education Competencies: Critical Thinking, Information Literacy, Effective Communication, Knowledge of Diversity, and Quantitative Reasoning

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

engage with the histories, communities, and experiences of US Latinos
analyze literary works within cultural, social, and historical contexts
explain the relationship between race, class, gender, and ethnicity in Latinx communities
identify cultures, histories, and languages in Latinx populations to prepare them for the demands of a global society
gain practical experience by working with Latinx community organizations and leaders through service learning and internships

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 35-36 CREDITS

ENG 101(A) - Composition I Credit(s): 3
ENG 102(A) - Composition II Credit(s): 3
ANT 114(B) - Understanding Diversity and Valuing Similarities Credit(s): 3
Social Science Elective (B) Credit(s): 3
Social Science Elective (B) Credit(s): 3
LAX 110(C) - Introduction to Latinx Studies Credit(s): 3
Mathematics Elective (D) Credit(s): 3-4
Laboratory Science Elective (E) Credit(s): 4
Laboratory Science Elective (E) Credit(s): 4
select 2 of the following:
SPA 101(C) - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPA 102(C) - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SPA 201(C) - Intermediate Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPA 202(C) - Intermediate Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SPA 203(C) - Spanish for Heritage Speakers I Credit(s): 3

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 12 CREDITS

HIS 107(C) - History of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Credit(s): 3
or
LAX 107(C) - History of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Credit(s): 3
ENG 208(C) - Latinx Literature Credit(s): 3
or
LAX 208(C) - Latinx Literature Credit(s): 3
POL 210(B) - Latinx Politics Credit(s): 3
HUM 278 - Humanities Internship Credit(s): 3
or
SSN 278 - Social Sciences Internship Credit(s): 3

PROGRAM ELECTIVES: 9 CREDITS

select 3 of the following:

ANT 101(B) - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ANT 255(B) - UnNatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? Credit(s): 3
COM 150(C) - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
COM 205(C) - Gender and Communication Credit(s): 3
ENG 235(C) - African-American Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 245(C) - Women, Gender, and Sexuality in Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 250(C) - The World in Literature Credit(s): 3
HIS 108(C) - Deaf History Credit(s): 3
HIS 109(C) - African-American History Credit(s): 3
HIS 114(C) - Immigrant City: Community Organizing in Holyoke Credit(s): 3
HIS 130(C) - U.S. Women’s History Credit(s): 3
HSV 113 - Introduction to Human Services Credit(s): 3
HSV 122 - Diversity and Social Justice for the Service Practitioner Credit(s): 3
LAX 111 - Introduction to Community Organizing Credit(s): 3
SOC 110(B) - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3
SOC 220(B) - Race and Ethnicity Credit(s): 3
SPA 101(C) - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPA 102(C) - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SPA 201(C) - Intermediate Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPA 202(C) - Intermediate Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SPA 203(C) - Spanish for Heritage Speakers I Credit(s): 3
SPA 209(C) - Introduction to Latin American Cultures and Civilizations Credit(s): 3
SPA 210(C) - Topics in Spanish Credit(s): 3
SPA 214(C) - The Spanish Short Story Credit(s): 3
SSN 120(B) - Conflict Resolution and Mediation Credit(s): 3
WST 100(B) - Introduction to Women’s Studies Credit(s): 3

GENERAL ELECTIVES: 3-4 CREDITS

sufficient to complete 60 credit graduation requirement; any course listed in the catalog is acceptable

General Elective Credit(s): 3-4

TOTAL: 60-61 CREDITS

NOTES

Transfer opportunities exist with integrated programs at numerous colleges and universities including the following regional institutions:

Westfield State University - Ethnic and Gender Studies Program, Language and Cultural Studies Program: https://www.hcc.edu/courses-and-programs/advising-career-and-transfer-center/transfer/transfer-after-hcc/articulation-agreements
University of Massachusetts Amherst - Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies Certificate or Minor Program. (Certificate)
Western New England University - American Studies (Major)
Salem State University - Latin American and Latino Studies (Minor)
University of Massachusetts Boston - Latino Studies Program (Major & Minor)
Amherst College - Latinx & Latin American Studies Program (Major & Minor)
Smith College - Latin American and Latina/o Studies Program (Major & Minor)
Mount Holyoke College - Spanish, Latin American and Latino Studies Program (Major in Latin American Studies & Minor in Latino Studies)
Williams College - Latino/a Studies Program (Concentration)
Rutgers University - Department of Latino and Caribbean Studies (Major & Minor)
University at Albany, SUNY - The Department of Latin American, Caribbean, and US Latino Studies (LACS) (Major & Minor)
El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies, UCONN (Major in Latin American Studies and Minor in Latino Studies)
The City College of New York - Latin American and Latino Studies (Major & Minor)

There is an agreement in place at Westfield State–please see the attached link above for more details. No agreements are in place at any other institution; these are only possible schools and programs.

This program qualifies for MassTransfer, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state colleges and universities. MassTransfer will also grant students automatic acceptance to certain state colleges and universities by achieving the minimum grade point average and the HCC degree.

Depending on course selection, 80% of this program can be completed online. Go to Online Learning for more information.

(H076)