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Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies

Department Information

Department of Chicana/o Studies
California State University, Northridge

Jerome Richfield Hall 148
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA  91330-8246

Phone:  818-677-2734
FAX:    818-677-7578

Department Chair:

Mary Pardo

Associate Chair:
Dr. Christina Ayala-Alcantar

Undergraduate Advisors: 

Dr. Mary Pardo: Mon.-Wed., by apppointment

Dr. Christina Ayala-Alcantar : Wed. & Thurs., by appointment

Graduate Advisor:
Dr. Lara Medina
Advisement Hours: Tues & Thurs 3:00pm-4:00pm and Wed. 6:45pm-7:45pm, by appointment

 

Office Staff

Administrative Support Coordinator II:
Griselda Corona

Administrative Support Coordinator I:
Yanira Pineda

Administrative Support Assistant I:
Yanina Flores

 

Office Hours:  8:00 am to 5:00 pm

 

Coordinators

Assessment and Liaison Coordinator: Dr. Rosa Furumoto

Cultural Arts Coordinator: Professor Everto Ruiz

Equity and Diversity Coordinator: Dr. Christina Ayala-Alcantar

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Lara Medina

Teacher Education Coordinator: Dr. Theresa Montaño

Writing Coordinator: Dr. Renee Moreno

Speech Coordinator: Dr. Yarma Velázquez-Vargas

CFA Lecturer Representative: Professor Antonio Gallo

Department News

Welcome to Chicana and Chicano Studies

 

Chicano/a Studies mural

Chicana and Chicano Studies is an Area Studies field that advances a critical understanding of the Chicana/o and Latina/o experience in the United States. Courses reflect a multidisciplinary approach to the understanding of Chicana/o and Latina/o histories, politics, culture, language and education.

Chicana/o Studies was established in 1969 in response to the educational needs of Chicana/o students. 

At the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Rodolfo Acuña was recruited by students, faculty, and community and became the Department's founding faculty member. In a short span of time, he devoloped forty-five courses and by April 1969 the Department had been born.

Courses were designed to provide students with an awareness of the social, political, economic, historical and cultural realities in our society. It  was structured as an inter-disciplinary, area studies department in order to offer a Chicana/o critique and perspective within the traditional disciplines. 

Initially, the mission of the department was primarily to meet the needs of the Chicana/o student. In the intervening years that mission has been broadened to meet the needs of the credential student preparing to teach in our schools and to provide a multicultural and enriching experience to all students in the university. A Master of Arts program was subsequently developed and now prepares students for academic, public service, education, artistic and cultural performance careers.

As demographics change, the Department has compiled a critical mass of faculty, a community of scholars and practitioners in their respective fields, to prepare US students as well as exchange and foreign students to critically assess cultural expression, power relations, intellectual inquisitiveness, and the process of student and community self actualization in an increasingly global world.

Currently the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at California State University, Northridge is the largest of its kind in the country housing 25 fulltime and 35 part time professors. Between 160-170 class sections are offered every semester.

 

 

Student Advisement

The Chicana and Chicano Studies Department helps students select the program (Major, Double Major, Minor) and courses that best satisfy their individual needs and interests. Contact our office at (818) 677-2734 to schedule an appointment. The College of Humanities (COH) Student Services Center/EOP reviews students' progress to ensure that the requirements of a major or minor in Chicana/o Studies are fulfilled. Call (818) 677-4784 or (818) 677-4767 to schedule an appointment with the COH Student Services Center/EOP.