FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there difference between "La Raza" Studies and "Raza" Studies
What subject areas are covered in Raza Studies?
What can I do with a Raza Studies Major?
Why should I minor in Raza Studies?
How do I choose a Major Advisor?
How do I navigate this website to find what I need?
The term Raza literally means race or colloquially, the people, The term figuratively has reference to the Spanish conquest of the indigenous Indians of Mexico and the resulting mestizaje or the mixed racial and ethnic identity of indigenous, European and African heritage unique to the Americas. In practical usage, the term Raza refers to mestizos or mixed peoples; we have the blood of the conquered and conqueror, indigenous, (i.e., Aztec, Mayan, Olmec, Yaqui, Zapotec and numerous other Native Americans), European, African, and Asian. The term Raza was popularized by Mexican educator, Jose Vasconcellos who wrote about La Raza Cosmica to inclusively refer to a new "race" of people born out of the neo-columbian New World.
The department was originally named La Raza Studies to establish an inclusive identity for the uniquely San Francisco mix of Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, Mexicanos, Central and South Americans living primarily in San Francisco's Mission District. Recently the name of the department was streamlined to "Raza Studies" retaining the inclusiveness that is even more important today than it was in 1969.
Is there difference between "La Raza Studies" and "Raza Studies?"
There is no substantive difference between the two names. Although the Department used the term "La Raza" for 31 years, the "La" was dropped in Fall 1999 for several reasons. First, the article of speech in Spanish led to awkward redundancies in English; for example," the La Raza Studies department." Second, it makes more sense to use Raza and have the four letter course designation in the bulletin and schedule become "raza" as opposed to "lara." Another reason is to avoid confusion with other organizations on campus that use the term "La Raza" in their title. The name change went into effect in 1999 and is making its way into the various campus publications and touch-tone registration. Please look for us under the new name: Raza Studies.
What subject areas are covered in Raza Studies?
Raza Studies is the study of the histories and cultures of diverse Raza populations in the United States. This includes the study of internal culture and cultural production as well as the study of Raza in relation to U.S. society and its institutions. The curriculum covers social history, political economy, citizenship, immigration, health care and the legal system as well as Raza family, culture, social relations, philosophy, literature, arts, and enduring indigenous cultural forms.
Raza Studies also looks at contemporary life and current issues that impact on our communities. There are Raza Studies courses examine womenÕs issues, education, social problems, social movements, crime and justice, community organizing and issues in acculturation. Raza Studies majors and minors acquire a substantive body of comparative knowledge about Raza peoples histories, cultures and contemporary social issues and problems. Students gain the necessary skills to think, read, and communicate critically and creatively in diverse multicultural environments. They are able to sytstematically collect, construct and deconstruct, analyze and interpret information using multiple methods and models, multiple perspctives and paradigms. The curriculum is critical, holistic, reflexive and community centered. It is designed to develop the knowledge base and the critical skills necessary to pursue a variety of graduate and professional studies and entry level careers. Our majors enjoy the special advantage of close working relationships with faculty and other students. Faculty keep regular office hours and are recognized for accessibility to students in graduating senior exit polls.
The Raza Studies curriculum is multidisciplinary and the backgrounds of the faculty include political science, health education, law, counseling, history, philosophy, anthropology, art, literature, creative writing, sociology and more. The courses offered by Raza Studies critically examine issues involving multicultural and multiethnic Latino populations, drawing upon a range of methodological and theoretical perspectives. The curriculum assists students in the use of data and theories to explain changes and continuities and understand their implications for our communities and the nation at large. To that end, specific subject areas include courses examining public policy issues such as Raza Immigration, Latino Health Care Perspectives, Raza in California or Race Crime & Justice to name a few. Other social science perspectives include Socio-Economics of Raza, Raza Women or Students can also learn about Latinos and their issues through literature and art in coursess such as Art History of Raza, Central American Literature or Comparative Music Folklore
The program pioneered the use of critical pedagogies, multidisciplinary approaches and the integration of social practice with abstract theory in a cutting-edge community service learning program. Graduates of Raza Studies move on to their life's work with a firm grounding in a multicultural education responsive to the challenges of an increasingly diverse U.S. population.
What can I do with a Raza Studies Major?
Two important factors make the Raza Studies major particularly attractive in the 21st century. First, there is the demographic trend in California and in the country. Raza peoples and cultures, particularly Mexicans and Chicanos are rapidly becoming the majority of all groups in California. Mexican and Chicanos along with Puerto Ricans and Cubans dominate or are the largest minority in the most populous states in the county. Dominicans, Guatemalans and Salvadorans contribute to population increases in many states including California. Our presence impacts every sector of society. An understanding of diversity in the United States and fluency with a range of Raza histories, cultures and current issues equip our graduates with a unique body of knowledge and the leadership skills to make a difference for their own careers and for the Raza community at large.
Our graduates are among an elite group of leaders with developed social consciousness and clear commitment to community that gives special meaning to their lives. Raza Studies graduates have moved into many sector of the occupational structure of society. Some have gone on to graduate and professional schools to become lawyers, educators, social workers, public planners, health care and housing specialists and University professors. Others have taken up managerial responsibilities in the corporate structure or in state and federal government offices. Some have opened businesses or become involved in international relations. There are many things that you can do with a Raza Studies major. Our majors are headed for exciting careers in leadership positions.
Given the demographic trends it can be no other way. We are the twenty-first Century. The second factor that makes the Raza Studies major attractive is that it offers many opportunities for students who want to make a difference for their families and for their communities and society. A career based on a Raza Studies major opens opportunities to contribute to public policy or local community in a way that can truly make a difference. It is also an opportunity to serve as a role model for the youth in our communities at the brink of life defining decisions. They need to see that si se puede. Alumni are an important and valued part of the department. They are our best ambassadors and we encourage them to maintain a connection to the department. They are proof that we can become a powerful network for change. Please check out our alumni page for featured bios on our alumni.
Why should I minor in Raza Studies?
Students can apply to the Raza Studies minor at any time during their academic careers. The Raza studies minor provides an opportunity for students to organize a set of Raza studies courses to form a coherent body of knowledge about Raza peoples histories and cultures. The minor is an ideal supplement to other majors that students might choose. The minor is way to build leadership skills that will serve students who will be working in an increasingly Chicano/Latina presence in California and in the country.
Students who plan to work in fields as different as business and public health can offer employers specialized expertise about the fastest growing population in California and in the country. Students who are also bilingual have an even greater advantage. Students are encouraged to declare the minor early in their academic careers. This allows sufficient time to coordinate the Raza Studies minor requirements with the major requirements in another field. Beginning in Fall 2000, all Raza Studies minors (and majors) must have an advisor.
How do I apply for the Major or Minor?
Students can apply to the Raza Studies major at any time during their academic careers. They are encouraged to declare the major before entering junior status in order to allow for timely completion of the major requirements in coordination with the General Education Program. Beginning in Fall 2001, all Raza Studies majors must have a Major Advisor. Students should consult with their advisors prior to or at the time that they declare the major. Students who do not yet have an advisor will have the option to choose or be assigned an advisor when they declare the major. A further discussion regarding choosing your advisor can be found on the Major page. Forms to declare the major are available in the Raza Studies Department Offices of PSY, Rm. 103
