LA FRONTERA and Its People: The Early Development of Border and Mexican-American Studies (1993)
Barbara A. Driscoll
WP-17
This working paper examines the development of border studies as a field of study. Her methodological approach is qualitative, as her analysis is based on interviews with the three pioneers of border studies: Dr. Charles Loomis, Dr. Julian Samora and Dr. Gilberto Cardenas. Driscoll traces the beginning of border studies to Michigan State University and to Dr. Loomis, whom she says is the founder of the discipline. She continues by discussing the inclusion of Dr. Julian Samora as part of the creation of border studies because, as a Mexican American, he brought an important perspective that is needed in the academic setting. Throughout this entire piece, Driscoll outlines several facets of the development of border studies. Readers will be able to see the various struggles and processes that took place to develop border studies.