Department of Chicano and Latino Studies, U of MN

The Department's mission is to promote critical understanding of Chican@s and Latin@s in the U.S. under the more general label of "Latinas/os".

"It is my pleasure to serve as the current Chair of the Department of Chicano & Latino Studies. In existence since 1972, this historically important and socially significant institution was one of the first full-fledged Departments of Chicano & Latino Studies in the nation and it remains fairly unique in the Upper Midwest. While other universities and colleges have programs in Chicana/o and Latina

/o studies, ours is still the only Department of Chicano Studies in Minnesota. We pride ourselves in carrying forth the legacy of the students and community members whose vision, advocacy and activism preceded the establishment of this department. Chicano and Latino Studies is the study of people of Mexican and Latin American descent in the United States through an interdisciplinary lens. It is grounded in social justice values that seek the amelioration of racism, sexism, homophobia, and systemic inequalities. Born out of the Civil Rights Movement, it also values a close working relationship with community. Educational access is seen as a fundamental right and a form of community empowerment. Staff and faculty in Chicano and Latino studies work at developing special relationships with, and between, students and community members. We are also seen as a place of strong cultural connections-a place where Chicana/o-Latina/o students can gather, can connect with others who have similar research interests, and find dynamic inquiries into issues that are important to our communities. Students are also given quality academic advice in pursuing an education and a career that advances their personal goals and strengthens the prosperity and political well-being of the entire community. Respecting our origins in Chicana/o activism, we are poised to be the purveyors, gatherers and creators of knowledge about the many racial, ethnic and national-origin groups residing in the U.S. We are part of a rapidly expanding intellectual tradition in Chicana/o Studies as well as respected contributors to many other fields. As recent demographic information has emerged clearly showing Latinas/os as the fastest growing population in the U.S. and in Minnesota, it is imperative that this department continues to exist as an integral part of the University of Minnesota. In the 21st Century, it is clearly a necessary element in a well-rounded liberal arts education for all students. We invite you to be part of this journey."

— Dr. Edén E. Torres, Chair of the Department of Chicano Studies

04/16/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

CHLS and RIDGS symposium: Reflecting, documenting, and critically engaging with what the Latino community experienced in Minneapolis, particularly in response to Operation Metro Surge, and how students, scholars, businesses, and community members took action. We are intentionally creating a space that connects scholarship, lived experience, and resistance.

This event will include three different sessions:
Session 1 - Faculty of the University
Session 2 - Twin Cities community members
Session 3 - Students

Follow along for more updates and announcements about the event!

04/15/2026

Summer Session Course Announcement:
CHLS 3223
Vatos Locos, Latin Lovers, and Spicy Latinas
Fully Online/Asynchronous
Taught by: Dr. Gabriela Spears-Rico/Profe Gabby

LE's: Race, Power, Justice + Arts &. Humanities

Course Description: This course examines how Chicana/o people have historically been misrepresented in Hollywood. Students study structural and representational erasure of Chicanidad and Latinidad in U.S. media. Students study how the gendered tropes and stereotypes of Chicana/o/e and Latina/o/e people influence the societal and governmental treatment of Latina/o communities. Students explore how Chicanes and Latines invest in and curate their own stories onscreen through both mainstream and independent filmmaking.

Questions? [email protected]

03/02/2026

Join the IHRC and one of the nation’s leading experts on race, immigration, and mass incarceration for a talk that chronicles the rise, evolution, and persistence of the whites-only immigration regime, from 1803 to now.

01/19/2026

Join Luchadores for a Know Your Rights/Upstander training this Wednesday!

12/19/2025

¡December 19 2025! - https://mailchi.mp/370e6448bfd2/anuncios-monthly-digest-8335421

12/05/2025

📣 Amazing Opportunity Alert!
The César Chávez Dissertation and Postdoctoral Fellowship at Dartmouth is now open! 🎓✨
If you or someone you know is doing impactful work in Latinx studies, this is an incredible chance to grow, research, and thrive in a supportive academic community. Don’t miss it! 💡📚
For more information visit https://lalacs.dartmouth.edu/our-fellowships/cesar-chavez-dissertation-and-postdoctoral-fellowship-2026-28

11/21/2025

11/17/2025

Aprendes sobre los derechos legales de los inmigrantes y la oportunidad de unirse al comité “A Tu Lado” de UNIDOS MN!!

Registra con el código QR para más información.

11/12/2025

Serpentina Arts proudly announces the 2025 Serpentina Film Festival, an annual showcase dedicated to films by Latinx filmmakers based in Minnesota, as well as works by Minnesota-based artists exploring themes of Latinidad. The festival will take place on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM at The Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417.

11/10/2025

Join us this Thursday for our Upstander Training! 📚

10/29/2025

Meet our faculty and staff! Today you are meeting Dr. J!

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Location

Minneapolis

Contact the school

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Telephone

+16126246309

Website

http://www.cla.umn.edu/chicano-latino

Address

19 Scott Hall, Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN
55455