This course provides a basic understanding of theoretical foundations of Borderlands Studies, with a focus on the Southwestern United States. In particular, this course theorizes the border as not simply as a physical barrier meant to regulate migration, but the economic, cultural, spatial, and metaphorical borderlands that informs us on larger processes of membership, belonging, identity, politics, and dehumanization linked to social structures and institutions. The role of Christian faith, churches and faith-based social movements within the study of the Mexican-US border will also be explored.