Chicana / o和Latina / o研究的重点是对影响墨西哥裔和美国其他Latina / o社区及其在美国的独特影响的重要历史和当代问题进行研究。我们致力于让学生参与变革性的教育，以促进对复杂的，相互交叉的权力和特权系统的批判性理解，这些系统在历史上已经塑造了美国的Chicana / o和Latina / o社区。我们营造一种在社交和智力上参与的环境，使学生在这个日益多样化的社会中成为领导者，这需要种族，种族，性别，性别，性取向，政治和社会差异方面的专业知识。
LMU's Chicana/o Studies major helps students understand the unique influence of Mexican-origin peoples and other Latinos living in the United States. The major examines the lives, histories, and cultures of Mexican-origin people and those from elsewhere in Latin America who live in the United States. The department's academic strengths lie in history, cultural anthropology, political science, and literature, as well as in feminist, visual, and media studies.<br><br>Chicana/o Studies developed at LMU more than 40 years ago in the context of the Civil Rights movements of the late 1960s. In the decades since, Chicana/o Studies has become a widely accepted field of study. The discipline has a special meaning in Los Angeles given the significant historical and contemporary presence of Chicanos and Latinos here.<br>Chicana/o Studies majors learn about the historical and political journeys that have led Chicano and Latino communities to have an indelible influence on life in the United States.<br><br>Majors use and apply humanistic, scientific, and social science methods to arrive at understandings about people from Latin America. They compare and contrast recent theories, methodologies, ideas, and developments central to the discipline.<br><br>Courses prepare students to live in and contribute to a society that is increasingly diverse. Majors take a sampling of courses from several areas: political science, history, cultural anthropology, visual media, and Chicana/o literature. Majors also do field work in Los Angeles, conducting hands-on research with government and social service agencies and religious organizations.