The Chicana and Chicano Studies Department Records (1968-2003) document the development and administration of the department and its curriculum. Highlights include materials relating to the department's incorporation into the College of Professional Studies and the resulting backlash from students. The majority of the material dates from the 1970s and details early department organization and curricula. The collection includes correspondence, syllabi, memorandums, course files, faculty meeting minutes, and reports. The collection is filed alphabetically.

Initially developed in 1968 by students and faculty inspired by the Civil Rights and Chicano movements, San Diego State College (SDSC) officially established the Mexican-American Studies Department, now known as the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department, in 1969, and offered both a major and a minor. SDSC faculty and students followed El Plan de Santa Barbara as a blueprint for the codification of Chicana/o Studies at the university level, which had been created at the 1969 UC Santa Barbara Conference of Chicano students, professors, and activists. The purpose of the newly-formed department was to teach an accurate and complete history of Chicanos and Mexican-Americans and their contributions to the United States. In addition, the department hoped to recruit more Chicana/o students to the campus, and teach and develop skills that students could use to help their communities politically and economically.

1.67 Linear Feet

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This collection is open for research.