This Is a Common Syllabus for All Sections of Chic 3311

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CHIC 3311 – Societal Issues and Analysis

THIS IS A COMMON SYLLABUS FOR ALL SECTIONS OF CHIC 3311

Instructor:

Office:

Office Hours:

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Course Description:

A general course designed to provide the student with an understanding of Mexican American culture. This interdisciplinary course explores how Mexicans in the United States have created a distinct culture and presence in American society. To better understand the Mexican American experience, this survey examines its historical antecedents and contemporary socioeconomic, artistic, political, and literary dimensions. Furthermore, issues such as nativity, class, and gender are also probed to increase our awareness of Mexican American culture and society.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Dennis Bixler-Márquez et al. Chicano Studies: Survey and Analysis. 2nd ed.

Students are also required to purchase a course reader. This reader is available at Paper Chase, 2601 N. Mesa, 541.7072.

Learning Outcomes:

(Attainment of learning outcomes is required at a minimum rate of 70%)

1.  To examine the historical antecedents of the Mexican origin population in the United States and link that experience to contemporary issues affecting this group.

2.  To identify the demographic distribution of Latinos in the U.S and the socioeconomic forces that shape their numerical and regional presence in the U.S.

3.  To develop an appreciation of the Chicano literary production, with an emphasis on regional authors.

4.  To analyze the salient trends and personas in the development of the Chicana/o aesthetic dimension through film and artistic expressions, with a regional emphasis.

5.  To foster the interdisciplinary integration of paradigms, concepts, and perspectives in the analysis of issues that inform on the Mexican origin population via multimedia instruction.

6.  To examine salient political and socioeconomic trends of the Mexican origin population in American society, with an emphasis on the U.S-Mexico border.

7.  To analyze the linguistic and cultural characteristics of the Mexican origin population and their manifestation in American society

An interdisciplinary text exclusively designed for the U.S-Mexico border region serves as the primary source of instruction for the course. Videos, exhibits, literary readings, additional reading assignments, and guest lectures also will be used as media of instruction. Student mastery of knowledge imparted is measured via four examinations. The grading scale can found in the Evaluation section of this syllabus.

Course Policies:

1. Students are expected to attend class lectures. Attendance will be taken.

2. The assigned readings should be read prior to coming to class.

3. When discussing issues in class, you should be respectful of others. Personal attacks are not permitted. This applies whether the person is a student, a visitor, or the instructor. I look forward to hearing your opinions and ideas.

4. Students are expected to attend and take exams on assigned dates.

5. Do not leave class early unless you have spoken to me. Otherwise, you will be noted absent.

6. Do not carry a conversation, read the newspaper, or study materials for your other classes. Please turn off your cell phones. I will not hesitate to point out that your behavior is unacceptable. If the disruptive behavior continues, you will be told to leave class.

If you are having any difficulty in the class, please talk to me. I am here to help you. Please do not miss class for several days. The overwhelming majority of students who do this never catch-up. Instead it is better to communicate any difficulty you are having with the instructor.

Evaluation:

Exams: Four exams will be administered, each worth 100 points. You are responsible for material covered in class and the texts. No one will be allowed to leave the room during exams. Students missing an exam must contact the instructor within 48 hours. Make-up exams are given only in cases of documented emergencies. The instructor will decide whether the student has a legitimate excuse to take a make-up exam.

In-class assignments: Throughout the semester students are expected to complete assignments in class. There will be five written assignments to be completed during the class period, each worth 20 points for a total of 100 points. No make-ups will be given. You should bring your book, reader, and notes to class.

Grade Scale: A= 500-450; B=449-400; C= 399-350; D=349-300; F=299-0.

Attendance Policy:

You are urged strongly to attend class. Part of being a successful student in any class is regular attendance. Students will be allowed four absences. I make no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. Any absence over four will result in a five-point deduction from the final grade for each additional absence. For example, a student with seven absences will have his/her final grade lowered by 15 points. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Under no circumstance should you sign-in for another student. You risk serious penalties.

The last day to drop with an automatic “W” is March 18. You are responsible for dropping the course if you no longer plan to attend. If you are considering dropping the course, please discuss the matter with the instructor. Things may not be as bad as you think.

Students are urged strongly to obtain a UTEP e-mail address. To obtain an e-mail address log on to: newaccount.utep.edu.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty is prohibited and is considered a violation of the UTEP Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP). It includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating may involve copying from or providing information to another student, possessing unauthorized materials during a test, or falsifying research data on laboratory reports. Plagiarism occurs when someone intentionally or knowingly represents the words or ideas of another person's as ones' own. And, collusion involves collaborating with another person to commit any academically dishonest act. Any act of academic dishonesty attempted by a UTEP student is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Violations will be taken seriously and will be referred to the Dean of Students Office for possible disciplinary action. Students may be suspended or expelled from UTEP for such actions. Please consult the Handbook of Operating Procedures at http://hoop.utep.eduforthecompleteUniversity policy on academic dishonesty. You may alsoconsult withtheAssistant Dean of Students at theStudent UnionBuilding West, Room 102,or by calling 747-5648.

Students with Disabilities

If you have or believe you have a disability, you may wish to self-identify. You can do so by providing documentation to the Office of Disabled Student Services located inthe Student UnionBuilding East, Room 203 by phone 747-4148 or e-mail you have a conditionthat may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency orthat may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss this in confidence with the instructor and/or the director of Disabled Student Services.

ATTENTION GRADUATE STUDENTS: In order to obtain graduate credit for this course, you must satisfactorily complete a term paper or conduct researchon a topic,with parameters and editorial style approved beforehand by the course instructor.

Calendar (subject to change):

Week 1: January 11 and 13

Introduction

Background on Chicano/a Studies.

Demographics of Mexican Americans.

v-xiv, 101-102.

Week 2: January 18 and 20

Pre-Columbian Societies and Conquest

Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., “Was America a Mistake?”; Bartolomé de las Casas, A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies; David E. Stannard, “Genocide in the Americas” (reader).

1st In-Class Assignment: January 20.

Week 3: January 25 and 27

Spanish Period & Mexican Independence

Week 4: February 1 and 3

U.S.-Mexico War and Life After Conquest

Early 20th Century

“Chicanos in the United States: A History of Exploitation and Resistance, 13-29;

“El Paso Salt War: Mob Action or Political Struggle”, 45-51.

2nd In-Class Assignment: February 3.

Week 5: February 8 and 10

Exam 1: February 8.

Film: “Ballad of Gregorio Cortez”

Week 6: February 15 and 17

Great Depression, WWII, and Chicanos/as at Midcentury

Eduardo Obregón-Pagán, “Dangerous Fashion” (Reader)

Week 7: February 22 and 24

Contemporary Issues

Recent Immigration

Film-- “El Norte” (“The North”)

Week 8: March 1 and 3

Immigration (Continued)

Leo Chávez, “Separation”, “Families, Domestic Groups, and Networks”, “Learning to Live as an ‘Illegal Alien’” and “Life on the Farm”; John Annerino, “Paths of Fire”

3rd In-Class Assignment: March 1

Exam 2: March 3

Week 9: March 8 and 10

Closing the Border?

George Borjas, “Tired, Poor, on Welfare”(Reader); Philip Martin, “Proposition 187 in California” (Reader); Richard Rodríguez, “Closed Doors” (Reader)

Film: “Fear and Learning at Hoover Elementary”

Week 10: March 15 and 17

Education

Ward Connerly, “The Sweet Music of Equal Treatment” (Reader); Connie Hopkins, “The Whitewashing of Higher Education” (Reader).

Film: “The Lemon Grove Incident”

4th In-Class Assignment: March 17.

Spring Break: 22 and 24 (No Classes)

Week 11: March 29 and 31

The Chicano Civil Rights Movement

March 31: Chávez Day (No Classes)

Week 12: April 5 and 7

Language

“One Nation, One Language,” 237-239, “Bilingual Education: Separating Fact From Fiction,” 241-245. Linda Chávez, “The Bilingual Battleground” and “The Backlash” (Reader).

5th In-Class Assignment: April 7.

Week 13: April 12 and 14

Labor

“Women and Farah: The Unfinished Story,” 75-93.

Exam 3: April 14.

Week 14: April 19 and 21

Politics, Arts, and Media Representation

“Backwards from Aztlan: Politics in the Age of Hispanics,” 177-183; “The Political and Social Contexts of Chicano Art,” 329-337.

Week 15: April 26 and 28

Other Current Debates and Conclusion

Samuel Huntington, “The Hispanic Challenge,” Andreas, “Bordering on the Impossible” (Reader).

Final Exam: May 3@ 10:00.