PROPOSAL FOR NEW COURSE IN MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES

IV. Course Number, Title and Units Mexican American Studies 410 AB-Psychology of the Mexican American

V. Prerequisites and Catalog Description

A. Prerequisites-Psychology 150. Upper Division standing, or consent of the instructor.

B. Catalog Description: A survey of the value system of the Mexican American culture and the personality type it produces. Acculturation, identity and relationship with Anglo and Black cultures will closely examined.

VI. Expanded Description of Content

A. The roots of present day Mexican American psychological phenomenon along with more contemporary forces which have created the unique features of the Mexican American will be focused upon. The psychology of Mexican Americans will be studied from early infancy to adulthood and old age.

B. Topical Outline: First Quarter. (410A).

1. Introduction Value system of Chicano culture; Idiosyncratic features of the Mexican American family; Views of Chicano culture and Mexican American family; Views of Chicano Culture and Mexican American family by larger society; Pre-Natal Influences; Economic factors.

2. Infancy, Early Childhood, and School Age. Parental role taking; Early experiences. Family life; Barrio setting and environment factors; teachers and other school authorities; "self-concept" factors.

3. Adolescence Specific and unique features of Chicano adolescence; Identity formation; generational differences in response to racism.

4. Adulthood and Later Maturity Changing role expectations; attitudes towards marriage, childbearing, sex; attitudes towards aging Chicanos. Special Socioeconomic factors affecting social dificit and adjustment.

Second Quarter (410B)

1. Historical traditions pertinent to Personality Formation. Male-Female roles; machismo.

2. Acculturation Major Models of Behavior in community.

3. Learning Strategies Reward and punishment system; cognitive styles.

4. Adjustment Patterns Needs, anxiety, reactions; rage; patterns of offenses and addiction.

5. Psychopathology Primary and secondary defense mechanisms.

6. Intimate relationships Sexual and behavior patterns; self-disclosure patterns.

IV. Justification

A. Objectives This course is designed to give an in depth analysis of the development of Mexican American form infancy to maturity. The special historical and contemporary forces shaping the Chicano mind are closely examined in order to elicit a fuller understanding of what it is to be a Chicano for students of the institution.

B. Appropriations This course is especially appropriate for Mexican American Study majors as well as for students majoring in psychology.

C. Use All majors and minors in Mexican American Studies will be required to take this course. Majors in Psychology as well should be strongly urged to take this course.

V. Consultation

A. _______________________________________Date:______________________ College Librarian

B. _______________________________________Date:______________________ Department of Psychology

VI. Feasibility

A. The qualified Staff has not yet been decided.

B. Enrollment is expected to be large, perhaps from 25 to 45 students in each course.

C. The course is expected to be initiated the quarter following approval.

VII. Evaluation

Students will graded according to class participation, research papers and examinations.