Students at California State University may soon be required to take ethnic studies to graduate. This requirement aims to broaden the students' awareness of ethnic and nonwhite racial groups.
Hispanics (whether Criollo or Mestizo) were recognized as the first American citizens in the freshly acquired Southwest territory, following the Mexican-American War; and Latinos remained a majority in many states until the end of the 19th century. Students in Texas, perhaps, are unaware of these facts, because for a long time, Mexican-American Studies wasn't a priority in the state; however, the Texas State Board of Education has opted to Latino History lessons to the state's children, providing an ethnically oriented state-approved curriculum to Texas schools.
Since Latino Studies first became available over 40 years ago, the number Latino Studies programs being offered has risen to around the country is around 440.
