Southwest Studies
This award is not eligible for Financial Aid
The Southwest Studies Program applies a broad, interdisciplinary approach to the study of the peoples and places of the American Southwest. Three certificates in American Indian Studies, Chicano-Chicana Studies, and Southwest Studies are available. Certificates may be attained independently of any degree program, but students may also apply course credits toward a degree.
Students enrolled in the Southwest Studies Academic Certificate will study the environment of the region and how people have historically related to that environment. The Certificate approaches the cultural issues more broadly and includes a stronger emphasis on the ecology, geography, and political history of the region.
Details
Field of Interest
Culture and Society
Degree Type
Academic Certificate (AC)
Academic Plan
Southwest Studies (CER)
Academic Plan Code
6209N
Total credits required
25
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2006
Notes
This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
What You'll Learn
- Describe the climatic patterns, geologic features, and general geography of the Southwest and the effects they have in shaping plant, animal, and human communities.
- Compare and contrast the major biomes of the Southwest and the adaptations of plants, animals, and humans for survival under the unique conditions found in them.
- Identify representative plants and animals and describe their role in Southwestern ecosystems.
- Analyze environmental impacts of modern human activities in the Southwest and evaluate their significance for the continued functioning of Southwestern ecosystems.
- Review the physiography, principal rivers, flora, fauna, and climatic changes characteristic of the American Southwest.
- Identify the basis and possibilities for future environmental, demographic, political, and economic trends in the Southwest.
- Describe the physical characteristics of the Southwest, including climate and vegetative zones.
- Describe demographic characteristics of the Southwest, including growth, distribution, and migration of major population.
- Define and exemplify the process of "Americanization" of the Southwest.
- Describe and analyze the historical and continuing interactions between Hispanic, Anglo, African-American, and Native cultures of the peoples who have settled the American Southwest.
- Describe the characteristics of the prehistoric native cultures of the American Southwest.
- Describe the nature of the early Spanish exploration and settlement of the American Southwest.
Career statistics
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$78,800 Show expanded career information for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment. | L | 0–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO109 | Natural History of the Southwest | SG | 4 | ||
| GCU221 | Arizona Geography: Landforms, Climate, Water, People, and Culture | C, H, SB | 3 | ||
| HIS105 | Arizona History | H, SB | 3 | ||
| HIS106 | Southwest History | C, H, SB | 3 |
Program Electives
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIS/HIS170 | American Indian History of the Southwest | C, H | 3 | ||
| ASB235 | Southwest Archaeology | H, SB | 3 | ||
| BIO105 | Environmental Biology | SQ | 4 | ||
| EDU230 | Cultural Diversity In Education | C, HU | 3 | ||
| ENH112 | Chicano Literature | C, HU | 3 | ||
| ENH259 | American Indian Literature | C, HU | 3 | ||
| ENH260 | Literature of the Southwest | C, HU | 3 | ||
| HIS109 | Mexican American History and Culture | C, H, SB | 3 | ||
| HIS145 | History of Mexico | G, H, SB | 3 | ||
| POS220 | U.S. and Arizona Constitution | 3 | |||
| SPH245 | Hispanic Heritage in the Southwest | C, HU | 3 | ||
| Students must select a total of 12 Credits from this list of courses. | |||||
Course Area Key
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- FYC = First Year Composition
- G = Global Awareness
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
This certificate is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm?id=24187).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.