The Central American Studies Program at California State University in Northridge is an interdisciplinary minor program that emphasizes the transnational character of Central American communities. It is the first of its kind in the United States. 

Our courses offer a variety of perspectives and approaches, including the study of politics, gender, art, culture, identity, and literature.

The program is community-oriented. Therefore, it includes an Academic Internship component to emphasize the importance of learning through work in the community.

This program is valuable for students seeking to understand their own heritage, as well as for those who plan to work with the large Central American community in Los Angeles, or those who have a scholarly interest in understanding the character of this active and growing transnational community.

 

Requirements for the Minor (24 units)

 

Lower Division Required Courses (9 units)

1. CAS 100 Introduction to Central American Studies
    or
   CAS 102 The Salvadoran Experience

2. CAS 201 Survey of Central American Literature
    or
   CAS 202 Survey of Central American Visual, Installation and Performance Arts

3. CAS 270 Fieldwork in Central American Communities

 

Upper Division Required Courses (15 units)

1. Select 2 of the following courses:
    CAS 303 Central American Film
    CAS 309 Ancient to Pre-Modern History of the Central American Peoples
    CAS 310 Modern History of the Central American Peoples
    CAS 311 The Central American Diaspora
    CAS 350 Urbanization in Central America
    CAS 355 Environment, Development, and Social Exclusion in Central America
    CAS 364 Culture and Violence in Central America

2. Select 1 of the following courses:
    CAS 365 Changing Roles of Central American Women
    CAS 356 Afro-Caribbean Central American Cultures and Identities
    CAS 366 Contemporary Indigenous People of Central America

3. Select 1 of the following courses:
    CAS 367 Contemporary Religious Movements of Central America
    CAS 368 Central American Revolutionary Movements
    CAS 369 Contemporary Social Movements of Central America 

4. CAS 440 Research Seminar on Cnetral American Culture
    or
   CAS 460 Research Seminar on Central American Political Issues
    or
   SPAN 421 Central American Literature

Note: In order to complete the minor successfully, students are encouraged to develop a proficiency in Spanish listening, speaking, reading, and writing. While not a requirement, we recommend that students follow one of the two tracks listed below.

TRACK I (for native speakers)
     SPAN 104     Elementary Written Spanish II (3 credits)
and either
     SPAN 220B     Intermediate Spanish II (3 credits)
or
     SPAN 296A     Spanish for Natives: Intermediate Written Spanish (3 credits)

TRACK II (for non-native speakers)
     SPAN 220A     Intermediate Spanish (3 credits)
and
     SPAN 220B     Intermediate Spanish II (3 credits)

TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED FOR MINOR IN CENTRAL AMERICAN STUDIES: 24

Back to the MENU