Minor in North American Studies
Minoring in North American Studies augments students' majors by deeply focusing on the politics, economics, and societies of Canada, Mexico, and the US. This is especially true for students that seek career paths involving business, law enforcement (local, state, and federal), national security, international relations, and communication.
Marketable Skills
- Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate issues in order to solve problems and develop informed opinions
- Entrepreneurship: Develop, organize, and manage ideas and opportunities turning them into new products, services, firms, or industries
- Global awareness: Understand and appreciate people, cultures, and ideas from around the world that impact our community
- Problem-solving: Find solutions to difficult or complex issues
- Research: Be able to search, investigate and critically analyze information in response to a specific research question
- Social responsibility: Act ethically and responsibly for the benefit of society and the public good
Additionally, students will gain knowledge of the issues and implications of security, migration, and development involving Canada, Mexico, and the US, including:
- Analysis of current trends of cooperation between Canada, Mexico, and the US.
- Analysis of the migration policy implications of Canada, Mexico, and the US for one another.
- Policy formulation involving the security and development among and within the countries of Canada, Mexico, and the US.
The North American Studies Program educates students in the politics, economics, and societies of Canada, Mexico, and the United States with the primary goals of understanding and explaining interactions in the areas of security, migration, and development. Students will also develop an understanding of the prospects for further continental integration.
Degree Plan
The minor requires that students pass POLS 4363 North American Relations, and pass any five of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 3320 | Indig Cultures of North Amer | 3 |
| or SOCI 3320 | Indig Cultures of North Amer | |
| ANTH 3321 | Indians of the Southwest | 3 |
| or SOCI 3321 | Indians of the Southwest | |
| ANTH 3326 | Migration | 3 |
| or SOCI 3326 | Migration | |
| ANTH 4308 | U.S.-Mex. Border Society/Cult | 3 |
| or SOCI 4308 | U.S.-Mex Border Society/Cult | |
| ARTH 3353 | Pre-Columb Art & Arch | 3 |
| ARTH 3355 | Spanish Col Art Americas | 3 |
| ARTH 3357 | Art Mexico:Ancient to Modern | 3 |
| ARTH 3395 | Topics in Contemporary Art (*) | 3 |
| ARTH 3399 | Special Topics in Art History (*) | 3 |
| CHIC 3311 | Chicano Studies: Societal Issu | 3 |
| CHIC 4306 | Comm Formation on US/MX Border | 3 |
| CHIC 4309 | American Immigration & Soc Jus | 3 |
| CRIJ 3351 | Crim Just on US-Mexico Border | 3 |
| CRIJ 4311 | Immigration Law and Admin | 3 |
| ECON 3325 | Public Choice | 3 |
| ECON 4325 | International Economics | 3 |
| ENGL 3310 | Chicana/o Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 3311 | American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| ENGL 3312 | Am. Literature 1865 to Present | 3 |
| ENGL 3327 | Jewish American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 3371 | Southwestern Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 3374 | Folklore Of Mexican American | 3 |
| ENGL 4319 | Am. Fiction 1945 to Present | 3 |
| ENGL 4322 | The American Drama | 3 |
| ENGL 4351 | Maj Am Writer(s) since 1900 | 3 |
| HIST 3303 | The U.S.-Mexican War | 3 |
| HIST 3309 | Mexican-American History | 3 |
| HIST 3325 | Hist Immigration/Ethnicity US | 3 |
| HIST 3342 | The Spanish Borderlands | 3 |
| INSS 3302 | Sem in Intel and Nat'l Sec | 3 |
| INSS 3340 | Seminar in Homeland Security | 3 |
| INSS 3343 | Crime and Border Security | 3 |
| LABS 3300 | The Americas | 3 |
| POLS 3361 | International Security | 3 |
| POLS 4313 | Southwestern Border Politics | 3 |
| POLS 4315 | Latinos In Amer Political Syst | 3 |
| POLS 4337 | The Politics of Mexico | 3 |
| POLS 4339 | US-Latin American Relations | 3 |
| POLS 4364 | Internat'l Political Economy | 3 |
A total of 18 semester hours are required. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the minor required.