Mexican American Studies (MAS) is the study of cultural production, social history, and social movements of Mexican American, Chicano, and Latino groups in the United States.
MAS's mission is to strengthen the next generation's knowledge of Mexican American communities and to share that information widely.
Students who take MAS courses will develop the ability to work effectively with diverse populations, and will formulate a deep understanding of the Mexican American culture, history, language, and artistic expression.
Studying Spanish at Lee College will improve students' ability to speak, read and write Spanish as they gain a broad understanding of the Hispanic civilization and culture in the United States and the world. Advanced language learning brings advanced cultural insights, increases global understanding, and reveals the limitations of a monolingual view of the world.
Through MAS4, the associate degree in Mexican American Studies, students will learn about the cultural production, social history and social movements of Mexican American, Chicano, and Latino groups in the United States. The curriculum aligns with the college's designation as a Hispanic-serving Institution and furthers Mexican American Studies as a relevant and dynamic field of study for academic growth and personal enrichment.
Spanish students will gain a basic understanding of the Spanish language, identifying their skills through reading comprehension, conversation, and translation. This degree is designed for students majoring in Spanish who plan to continue their education by pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish at a four-year institution. Today, because of the increasing demand for foreign language skills among the different peoples of the world, knowledge of the leading foreign languages has become an important part of a solid academic foundation.