• Exploring the growth of capital in the global economy and its effect on the environment and on issues of social justice (race, class and gender, and distribution of resources); the consumerist psyche; the way individual decisions are influenced by the market economy; and an awareness of how the global context affects our notions of right action;
  
• Understanding the dynamics of change (in business, in political organizations, in the personal domain); long-term versus short-term change;
  
• Understanding research techniques and modes of inquiry; accessing information; conducting a literature review; considering how information is used; evaluating sources; and assessing validity
  
• Developing an individual study plan outlining courses to be taken, goals of program, and culminating project and;
  
• Gathering a Committee of faculty members to guide students throughout the program.

The first course will meet on five Saturdays in the fall semester from 9—4:30 on the Sonoma State campus. Activities for a given day may include a seminar discussion, a lecture or workshop, and student presentations. Opportunities are also provided to interact with students in different phases of the program. During the week, students participate in an on-line seminar to discuss the themes and issues raised by the readings on the syllabus. In this way, class members carry on a rich dialogue without having to coordinate busy schedules.

Individual Study Plan

Application and Admission

• A B.A. or B.S. from an accredited college or university
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (C+)over the last 60 semester units of college coursework
• A seminar interview with program faculty and other prospective students demonstrating how your interests and experience relate to the program focus

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to attend an information meeting to assure they are making an informed decision about the program and to assure there is a good fit between the applicant’s qualifications and goals and the purpose and resources of the Program.

There is a $55 application fee payable to Sonoma State University. Application packets can be picked up at our information meetings. Please note that we are not using the CSU Graduate Studies application, nor are the materials available online. If you are unable to attend any of the meetings, you can contact Beth Warner for the packet.

The application period for Fall 2009:
October 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009.

The application form and narrative must be postmarked by March 31st. The transcripts and letters of recommendation must be received by April 24th.

Fees may be paid by check, money order, or credit card at the time of registration. For those who are not receiving financial aid, a three-payment plan is available to help spread out the cost.

You might also check with your employer to see if they are willing to help pay for any part of your studies. Your tax advisor will have information about the Lifetime Learning tax credit or you can go to the IRS website for Publications 508 and 970.

Scholarships are available to those with a high GPA; the application period runs from September 15 through January 15. The application and more information are at the Scholarship website. The site also has links to external scholarship opportunities.

Staff and Faculty

Beth Warner, Administrative Coordinator

Dr. Francisco Vázquez, Faculty Advisor

Dr. Vázquez was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and educated in the U.S.; he has traveled between the two countries and the two cultures since the age of five. He received a B.A. in Philosophy at Claremont Men's College (now McKenna) and continued his studies at the Claremont Graduate School where he was awarded a Doctorate in European Intellectual History.

He was Chair of the Chicano Studies Department at Loyola Marymount University and directed the World Study and Mexico Program at World College West, where he established close relationships with the P'urhepecha people of Michoacan (also known as Tarascans) as his students conducted language and field research. He came to SSU in 1989, where he taught in the Mexican-American Studies, History, and English Departments before coming to the Hutchins School. He now holds the positions of Provost of Hutchins and faculty advisor of the Student Congress.