"The goal of the new book is to get students to critically think about identity and the similarities and differences of varying nations. In many respects, the label or identity [Latino] is a contested one," Acuna said.

"I am a Mexican. I use the term 'Latino' because it is a term that has been imposed upon us. Generally, it means people who come from Mexico, Central America and South America who live in the United States," Acuna said. "It is a very complex term which does not include Spaniards or Italians. It would include working class immigrants but would not include upper class Latin Americans who immigrate here as adults. In other words, they must have the life experiences shared by other U.S. Latinos."

Acuna was born in Boyle Heights and grew up in Los Angeles. He first began teaching at CSUN in 1969, and currently teaches a class called "History of the Chicano/a." Acuna is often referred to as one of the founding fathers of CSUN's Chicano/a Studies Department, believed to be the oldest of such programs in the nation.

The fifth edition of Acuna's first book, Occupied America, which is used in universities and colleges across the country, is due out in September. He is currently writing a new book on the shared memories of Chihuahuan migrants from 1874 to1933.

California State University, Northridge has more than 32,000 full- and part-time students and offers 59 bachelor's and 41 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the third largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher learning."