IMMIGRATION STUDIES MINOR

The Institute for Immigration Studies invites you to enroll in the new minor in Immigration Studies offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

This minor will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex and ever-evolving issue of immigration as well as the skills and knowledge needed for various careers, be informed citizens, and make a difference in the world.

Students who complete the minor will:

Learn about the history of immigration, the diverse types of immigrants, the challenges, and opportunities that immigrants face, and the policies that affect them.

Gain a deeper understanding of the complex cultural, historical, social, psychological factors associated with immigration.

Engage in real-world experiences by participating in internships with local immigrant-serving organizations and faculty-mentored research on immigration-related topics.

Explore and appreciate the contribution of immigrants in American society, economy, literature, music, humanities, and the arts.

Strengthen valuable critical thinking, problem-solving, communication skills that can be applied to a variety of careers including work with organizations that are Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives by the Department of Justice.

Add 4 courses from the following list of elective courses:

  • The course considers the principles of nutrition and its applications. It has been designed so as to provide the necessary information to allow the student to make informed decisions with regard to nutritional well-being. It prompts the student to learn more about themselves, their diet and the maintenance of good health. It also serves to raise awareness of topical nutrition issues. Pre-requisite BIO 110 and 111 or permission of instructor. (Fall). (3 Credits)

  • An introduction to the factors that influence communication among individuals of different subcultures. Both theoretical and practical problems of intercultural communication are analyzed. Prerequisites: ENG 111 (Spring) (3 Credits)

  • This course explores the history and constructs of race and ethnicity from interpersonal and intercultural communication points of view and examines the intersections of race and ethnicity within the contexts of globalization, media, and popular culture. Prerequisites: COM 201 (Fall). (3 Credits)

  • Study of poetic and narrative works representing distinct Latino groups. Texts are examined within their socio-political and historical contexts. Latino/a writers bring together the Hispanic and U.S. literary traditions and provide a new literary perspective based on their history, migratory experience, and cultural diversity. Issues such as race, class, and gender, as well as ethnic and national identity, are thoroughly examined. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or ENG 210. (3 Credits)

  • Courses taught under this heading focus on the way social relations of power are constructed in and by cultural practices and the workings and consequences of those relations and practices. These courses examine through verbal and non-verbal texts what seems natural and familiar in order to unmask these representations and to critically examine the implications of these cultural practices in everyday life. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or ENG 210. (3 Credits)

  • This course uses a holistic cultural perspective to describe and explain the interplay of biological and contextual influences on the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development of children and adolescents of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural background. To that end, the course presents a review of cultural groups and the way a range of formative contextual experiences including socio-economic status, minority status, immigration status intersects to shape individual development. Prerequisite: PSY 281 (3 credits)

  • Study of sociological perspectives in minority- majority relations; assimilation ideologies; dynamics of prejudice and discrimination; biological, historical and sociological data on race; survey of American minorities. (3 Credits)

  • A comprehensive examination of race, class and gender as central categories of social experience. A variety of sociological approaches are integrated to analyze how these differences in identities and accompanying inequalities are constructed within social institutions and processes. (3 Credits)

  • Content to be determined each semester by the Department as requested by faculty and/or students to fill specified needs or interests. Prerequisite: SPA 204 or equivalent or according to placement test. (3 credits)

  • This elective course is designed to help students develop social work knowledge and skills specifically related to working with refugees and immigrants. Examined are the multiple factors affecting refugees and immigrants at an individual, family, group, organizational and community level. Students are introduced to relevant social work practice approaches specific to these vulnerable populations within the current social, political and economic context. Pre/Corequisite: SW 340. (3 Credits)

  • This course examines the fundamental relation of the Catholic faith and cultural pluralism. It reviews the historical response of the church to culture and faith issues. It looks at the contemporary experience from a global perspective as well as in the U.S. context. Prerequisite: THE 201. (3 Credits)