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Overview: This specialization will be available to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University. Background Information General Two major types of changes affect American society and American education: changes in demographics and changes in global economies, immigration, and opportunities. These major types of changes also affect American Latinos and their future. This consideration was central to the development of the Specialization in Latino Studies. The specialization provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary study of the social, cultural, and historical forces that have shaped the development of America's diverse Latino population over the last 500 years and which continue to shape the future of ethnic communities and people.   Changes in Demographics The Latino population in the United States has been increasing steadily. In 1970, only 4.7% of the population was Hispanic; by 1990 , Hispanics comprised 9% of the population. According to recent projections, by the turn of the century 10% of the population will be Hispanic, and by 2010 Hispanics are likely to be the largest minority group in the country. Within the United States, the most rapid growth of Hispanic communities may be occurring in the Midwest. During the 1980's, the population of the Midwest increased by about 800,000 persons, of which 450,000 were Hispanic. By 1990, there were 2 million Latinos in the Midwest, of which over 202,000 lived in Michigan. The Latino population in Michigan has increased significantly since 1990. The average age of Michigan's Latinos is 23.1 years, compared with 32.6 years for Michigan's total population. The number of college-age Latinos is proportionately greater than the college-age segment in the rest of the population as a whole. At the crux of the demographic transformation are the myriad ways communities of Hispanics are formed, and the quality of life within those communities. Issues of multiculturalism, racial and ethnic diversity, and new social institutions continue to be at the forefront of public concerns and policies as the demography of the United States continues to change. A study of issues related to identity, culture, ethnicity, and community formation reveals the history, acculturation, politicization, and socioeconomic conditions of minorities and illuminates the significance of studies of ethnicity, race, gender, and inequality in the United States today. The specialization in Latinos Studies represents a unique and orderly way to study the status and conditions of ethnic minorities and emerging populations in the United States.   Changes in Global Economies, Immigration, and Opportunities With the heightened globalization of trade, transnational employment, and economic transactions across nations, the place of Latinos in the new world order is of concern. Recent trends show more widespread and deeper pockets of poverty and widening gaps between Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Concomitantly, there is a greater demand among Hispanics for jobs, employment diversification, more specialized skills, and tools for effective employment.   Specific The specialization in Latino studies, which is administered by the College of Social Science, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University. Although the specialization complements a number of major fields, students who plan graduate study related to the social sciences or who wish to pursue careers in government or with firms that conduct business in mixed ethnic communities may find the specialization particularly appealing. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student's degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor's degree. The specialization in Latino studies is designed to help students to understand the multicultural dimensions of society; to gain a knowledge of Latino scholarship and scholars; to enrich their majors by addressing issues of ethnicity, race, gender, and social inequality; and to learn the basics of social science research and to apply the knowledge that they gain to the study of Latino communities and life. The specialization draws on research, teaching, and community service among Latinos that: (1) Focuses intensively on the histories of different racial and cultural sub-groups of Latinos. (2) Draws larger theoretical lessons from comparisons among these groups and between non-Latino populations. (3) Seeks to articulate general principles that shape racial and ethnic relations. (4) Explores how ethnic identity is constructed and reconstructed over time. (5) Develops methodologies and principles which empower students to enhance leadership and human relations within diverse communities of peoples and conditions. The undergraduate adviser for Latino studies in the College of Social Science, located in Room 202 South Kedzie hall, coordinates the specialization on behalf of the dean. That adviser assists the student in planning a program of study that is tailored to the student's interests, disciplinary major, and career objectives. The student's program of study for the specialization must be approved in advance and in writing by both the adviser for Latino studies and the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Social Science.   Requirements for the Specialization in Latino Studies The student must complete a total of 18 credits including:   (1) The following course: SOC 490 Special Topics in Sociology* 1-3 credits (2) One of the following six courses: ANP 412 Social and Cultural Status of Latinos in the U.S. 3 credits ENG 351 Chicano and Latino Literature in English 3 credits HST 327 History of Mexican Americans in the United States 3 credits SPN 346 Hispanic Cultures in the United States 3 credits SPN 485 Topics on the Literatures of the Americas: Visions of the Border in Mexican and Chicano Literature 3 credits IAH 211C Borderlands: Chicana/o History and Memory 3 credits (3) At least three courses of at least 3 credits each approved in advance by the adviser for Latino Studies. The courses must deal with ethnicity, race, gender and inequality. At least one-fourth of the content of each course must focus specifically on Latinos in the United States. Typically courses in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Arts and Letters, or College of Social Science are used to satisfy this requirement. A list of approved courses is available from the adviser for Latino Studies.* (4) One of the following three options: (A) A supervised internship relevant to Latino Studies with a public or private agency or organization. To satisfy this option, the student must complete one course of at least three credits approved in advance by the adviser for Latino Studies. (B) Directed study abroad relevant to Latino Studies. To satisfy this option, the student must complete one course of at least 3 credits approved in advance by the adviser for Latino Studies. (C) A research experience relevant to Latino Studies. To satisfy this option, the student must complete one course of at least 3 credits approved in advance by the Associate Dean in the College of Social Science.   Recognition Upon satisfactory completion of the requirements for the specialization in Latino Studies as approved by both the adviser for Latino Studies and the Associate Dean in the College of Social Science, the following procedure will be used to enter an appropriate notation on the student's permanent academic record: (1) The student contacts the adviser for Latino Studies and requests certification for the completion of the specialization. (2) The adviser for Latino Studies initiates and signs an Administrative Action form certifying the completion of the specialization and forwards it to the Dean of the College of Social Science. (3) The Dean of the College of Social Science reviews and signs the Administrative Action form certifying the completion of the specialization and forwards it to the Registrar. (4) The Registrar records the following on the students' permanent academic record so that transcripts will contain this information: "Undergraduate Specialization in Latino Studies completed (date)."   Effective Fall 1997 *1 This course may be counted toward the requirements for the specialization in Latino Studies only if the topic is specifically related to research on American Latinos. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for this course, the students must complete an assigned directed research project that involves a Latino community or issue. *2 With the approval of the adviser for Latino Studies, another course relevant to Latino Studies may be substituted for one of the approved courses.