SPC to offer degree in Mexican American Studies in fall 2022

 

LEVELLAND – South Plains College is a recognized Hispanic-serving institution. Presently, 50 percent of the Hispanic students at South Plains College transfer to Texas Tech University, and 86 percent of the Hispanic high school students in the service region attend SPC.  

Beginning in fall 2022, South Plains College will offer a new associate degree program in Mexican American Studies (MAS).

Students who are interested in a cross-cultural learning experience are invited to enroll in the courses in the program There will be four courses – Humanities 1305, Introduction to Mexican American Studies; History 2327, Mexican American History I (to the United States-Mexico War era); History 2328, Mexican American History II (after the United States-Mexico War era); and English 2351, Mexican American Literature that can be taken to replace traditional courses. Additionally, Government 2311, Mexican American and Latinx Politics will be offered as an elective.

By completing the 12 hours of courses, students who later transfer to Texas Tech University with their associate degree will have to take a few capstone and junior/senior level courses to earn a minor in Mexican American Studies. This versatile degree can fulfill any bachelor’s degree core course requirements similar to a general education focus.  

According to Dr. Sherley Rios, assistant professor of sociology, “The MAS degree will include the disciplines of history, humanities, political science, literature, art and sociology. The courses will be taught through a cross-cultural lens to expose students to the contributions of the Mexican American culture.”

The benefits of the Associate of Arts in Mexican American Studies are the adaptability of the courses to fulfill core requirements, the education can help students become better professionals and graduates with a background in human and social sciences are better prepared to understand human situations in sociocultural contexts.

“These core courses are designed to help students connect to the college by exploring options that are culturally based,” said Abel Rios, instructor in history. “The courses will help with student retention by encouraging them to complete the curriculum because the offerings are more identifiable.”

“These courses will ensure that students will develop the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in college, their careers, their communities and their lives,” Dr. Rios said.

For more information, contact Dr. Rios at (806) 716-2256 or Professor Rios at (806) 716-2459 or email srios@southplainscollege.edu and arios@southplainscollege.edu.