Programs and Subdisciplines
Mexican-American Borderlands
The Anthropology Department of the University of Texas at Austin offers a graduate level thematic concentration on Mexican Americans. Graduate students will be able to take courses, or work with a professor in consultation, to study the following themes:
- Indigenous Heritage: Exploring the indigenous heritage of the Mexican Americans in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest will be the focus of this area of study. Topics in this area include archaeology, ethnohistory, ethnography, and linguistics.
Faculty: Hale, Hester, Menchaca, Neely, Strong, Stross, and Valdez
- Mexican History and Culture: Students will study the history and culture of Mexican Americans on both sides of the United States-Mexico border.
Faculty: Hester, Limon, Menchaca, Selby, Stross, and Valdez
- Mexican American Culture: Students will examine contemporary issues dealing with race, ethnicity, folklore, education, family, gender, immigrants, and political economy.
Faculty: Flores, Foley, Hester, Lein, Limon, Menchaca, Neely, and Valdez
- The United States-Mexico Border: Historical and contemporary themes dealing with culture, immigration, and economics will be the focus of this area of study.
Faculty: Flores, Limon, Menchaca, and Selby
Admission to the Program
Students interested in this graduate concentration should apply directly to the Anthropology Department (e.g., archaeology, linguistics, social anthropology) and indicate in the statement of purpose their interest in being accepted to this program. Application materials may be obtained from the anthropology department. For further information contact Dr. Martha Menchaca.
Financial Assistance
Teaching assistance funds are available from the anthropology department and the Center for Mexican American Studies. For additional information please refer to the Mexican American Studies Doctoral Portfolio Program offered by the Center for Mexican American Studies. It is a university wide multi-disciplinary graduate program.

