Minor
About Border Studies (Minor Only) at CSUSB
The Border Studies minor at Cal State San Bernardino offers students an interdisciplinary exploration of borders—geographical, cultural, linguistic, political, and social—and how they shape human experiences.
Grounded in the humanities and social sciences, the program examines the U.S.–Mexico border and global border regions through literature, history, migration studies, language, policy, and lived experience.
Students gain a deeper understanding of how borders influence identity, movement, community, and power. Courses encourage critical thinking, cultural awareness, and analysis of the stories and structures that define borderlands.
This minor complements majors such as English, history, sociology, anthropology, political science, modern languages, geography, criminal justice, and ethnic studies, as well as fields connected to public service, social advocacy, and international engagement.
Careers in Border Studies (Minor Only)
A minor in Border Studies strengthens students’ abilities in communication, cultural competency, critical thinking, and social analysis—skills that are essential across many professional sectors.
Graduates are prepared to work in settings that serve diverse populations, engage global issues, or address challenges related to migration, identity, and cross-cultural understanding.
Career pathways connected to Border Studies include:
- Education, literacy, and multicultural instruction
- Immigration services and legal advocacy
- Social work and community outreach, especially in border or migrant communities
- Public policy, government, and international relations
- Nonprofit and NGO roles focused on human rights, refugee support, or community development
- Journalism, storytelling, and cultural documentation
- Translation, interpretation, and bilingual communication
- Public health and community wellness in diverse or multilingual contexts
The minor also prepares students for graduate study in English, ethnic studies, sociology, public administration, law, and other related fields.
Sample Courses
Understanding Cultural Diversity
Specific topics may include politics, economy, diet, spirituality, identity, the life course, social hierarchies, family, arts, and war.
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
Students will be introduced to histories of structural and systemic oppressions, including but not limited to white supremacy, antiblack racism and settler colonialism, as well as the histories of resistance that characterize communities and movements led by people of color, in particular Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans and Latinx Americans.
Studies in Global Literatures
Considers how global literatures are shaped by various historical and social processes driving conflict, connectivity, and cross-cultural exchange.
Meet Alum Erika Tejeda, Ed.D.
Opportunities for Students
Students in the Border Studies minor participate in academically rich and culturally immersive learning experiences, including:
- Interdisciplinary coursework exploring border literature, migration narratives, linguistics, cultural studies, and regional history
- Opportunities to study the Inland Empire as a border-influenced region, examining local community experiences and global connections
- Community-engaged learning through partnerships with schools, cultural centers, and social service organizations
- Research projects focusing on identity, mobility, language, and border landscapes
- Creative work including storytelling, writing, digital media, and documentation of border-related experiences
- Mentorship from faculty with expertise in literature, cultural studies, linguistics, and social analysis
- Participation in cultural events, speaker series, workshops, and regional border-focused programming
These opportunities help students deepen their understanding of cultural intersections while strengthening practical skills in communication, research, and multicultural engagement.
Similar to Border Studies (Minor Only)
With more than 50 undergraduate degress at CSUSB, we offer a variety of programs that reflect the Coyotes' passion for learning. Check out where your curiosity will take you at CSUSB.
Reyes Ortega Gonzalez
Administrative Support Coordinator
reyes.ortegagonzalez@csusb.edu
