Course Description   

We will explore the background of Mexican culture and history from its native and Hispanic past; the growth of a distinct mestizo Mexican culture and nationalism; its clash for land with the self-confident Anglo American republic; the survival and transformation of its people and culture within the expanded boundaries of the US; the continuing need for Mexican labor; attitudes and prejudice of Americans and American institutions; Mexican American methods of survival & resistance; the process of assimilation; the modern Chicano movement; Cesar Chavez and the dignity of Mexican American farm labor; bilingualism, affirmative action, pros and cons; the immigration debate; and the search for Mexican American political power in the light of the rise of Latinos as the US’s largest minority group.

This story of the survival of Mexican American culture and identity will serve as a mirror to examine US history, myths, and assumptions about ourselves and the role of Mexican Americans in American society, today and in the future.

After reading text chapters, completing online modules and directed web readings, students will complete weekly reading assignments, and actively participate in weekly online discussions – at least 2 submissions each week reflecting on the module's content and readings. Additionally, students will have to prepare and present a project, and successfully navigate the final. These varied learning activities will assess overall understanding of key movements, ideas, individuals, and events in Mexican American history.

  Student Learning Outcomes:                                            

Upon successful completion of this course, students (in discussions, essays, and formal and informal assessments) should be able to:

1. Describe the most significant historical developments in Mexican American history;

2. Identify cause-and-effect relationships between significant historical events, ideas, movements, and peoples;

3. Analyze historical information from primary and secondary sources in terms of significance, intent, reliability and point of view;

4. Research and write brief historical essays that support each thesis with a well-organized presentation of historical facts;

5. Demonstrate understanding in the Discussion forum of historical viewpoints, analyses, and the impact of events on Mexican Americans in the past and today;

6. Apply an understanding of the Mexican American historical developments to contemporary issues and events.

Course Texts             

1.  MAIN TEXT: Acuna, Rodolfo  Occupied America (6th edition 2007 ONLY!)

2.  Introduction to Chicano History/Culture:  Burciaga, José Antonio, Drink Cultura: Chicanismo

3. Current Mexican American Immigration & Acculturation:  Tobar, Hector   Translation Nation

It is your responsibility to purchase the books for this class ASAP.  Drink Cultura must be read in the first two weeks of class.  Not having any of the books is not an acceptable excuse.  The text is at the core of this class and your commitment to complete your daily reading of each assignment is necessary for success in this class.

  Prerequisites

(Recommended only) Eligible for level 1 English placement.

Commitment:        

As adults, you are expected to be in class on a regular basis.  If you should experience a disaster, you are expected to call (the instructor or the college) before your absence.  Unexcused late work is not acceptable.  Students missing the equivalent of two weeks' worth of classes without good cause will be dropped.

Additionally, you are responsible for all material assigned in the readings, presented in class, or covered in class discussions whether you are present in the flesh or not.  This includes announcements about course procedures, changes in the reading schedule, deadlines, etc.   Questions from lectures, readings, discussions, and films will be included on the final exam, so performance on the exams directly reflects your commitment to class attendance.


  Required Tasks & Evaluation:    
 

1.  A 2-3 page response to José Antonio Burciaga's Drink Cultura: Chicanismo, discussing your take on the book and how you see it applies either personally or in other ways to the subjects covered in this class (up to 50 points).

2.  A research paper or Power Point presentation is required.  The research paper should be approximately 5 pages in length and the Power Point presentation must take approximately 10 minutes.  You will extensively investigate one aspect or area of  Mexican American History that sparks your interest such as:  Chicanas in the History of Mexican American Labor Movements, Mexican American Resistance in Texas, The History of the Bilingualism Movement, Corky Gonzalez & the Denver Youth Conference, etc.  The research paper/presentation requires an annotated bibliography and is worth 150 points.

As an alternative to the paper/presentation, students may complete field research in the community and surrounding area by interviewing identified participants of the UFW (and predecessor organizations) Grape Boycott, March on Sacramento, or other organizing activity.  Students will provide a transcript and/or summary of the interview equal to at least 5 pages, along with a brief biography of the interviewee, and make a brief (5 minutes or so) presentation on the interview in class the week of December 8th. 

3.  An analysis of the current situation of Mexican Americans today through the reading of Translation Nation and in the light of all the Mexican American history we cover during the semester.  This will come near the end of the course and be worth up 100 points.

4.  Current Events Regarding Mexican Americans:  You will need to collect 10 news articles about Mexican Americans or Mexican American-specific issues over the course of the semester.  They need to be clipped from local papers and attached to a piece of paper on which you will summarized in at least 2-3 sentences the gist of the article.  Alternatively, they can be downloaded from online news sites and printed and you could summarize the article on the same page.  Everyone will share at least three articles in class over the course of the semester.  Each article will be worth 5 points, so there are 50 points possible.  If desired, you may turn in up to 15 articles (5 extra) for up to 25 extra credit points.

5.  Completion of a film analysis of a film presented in class or available out of class (with the permission of the instructor) that illustrates issues presented in class which is worth up to 50 points and will be due on the day of the final exam. 

6.  Students will be need to complete of 5 short reading summaries on topics from the text at up to 10 points each so with a possible 50 points in full.

7.  The final exam will include both short-answer topics (know what terms and events refer to and why important) and brief essay questions.  Class notes from readings and lectures will be allowed.  The final will be comprehensive but will focus on Mexican Americans today and Acuña's last chapter and epilogue and will be worth up to 100 points. 

Additional extra credit up to 20 points may be earned by writing about your experiences on an optional class field trip to Los Angeles and/or up to 10 points for participation in a class pot luck or in the college's multicultural food day (as will be explained by the instructor).  Extra credit will also be awarded for students who have contributed to the class through significant participation.

Scale: A = 495-550, B = 440-494, C = 385-439, D = 330-384, F = Below 330 points

Academic dishonesty will result in a course grade of F.

Late Work Policy  

All assignments must be on time, unless you have notified the instructor and made arrangements for a late turn-in in advance of the due date.

  Plagiarism    

Stealing someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as yours is absolutely unacceptable and will result in a course grade of F.

Technical Problems    

Technical problems may occur, but combined with procrastination for submitting assignments, they are not acceptable. Students who are having computer problems should contact the instructor at least 24 hours prior to the due date for the assignment so that alternative means of submission may be arranged.  Do not email assignments unless the instructor tells you to do so. 

Technical assistance is also available on campus by emailing Ms. Sarah Phinney through sphinney@portervillecollege.edu (or calling her at 791-2380).

For Students With Disabilities  

Those students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Porterville College Disability Resource Center at (559) 791-2215 as soon as possible.

How to be Successful: 

Do you want a good grade?  The formula for student success in this course is very simple and straightforward:

Don't miss any classes.

Do the assigned readings & tasks.  A basic “given” is that you are keeping current with the assigned readings and assignments.  You will find out the hard way that the semester is much too short to procrastinate and unexcused late work/make ups will not be permitted.

Take notes.  You need to be able to remember the details of what we have studied/covered in class previously and put it all together for assignments, tasks, and exams.

Ask questions in class if you don't understand.  This is a normal learning process and you will be building participation points when you do so.  Your question helps others who also may have had questions about readings, lectures, or assignments and are not confident enough to ask.

Think about what you are learning.  Being successful in history requires that you “do something” with the information you receive through lecture, reading, video, or discussion.   Simple (short-term) memorization of dates, facts, and figures may not be enough to get you through an exam or this course and, in reality, is a poor substitute for learning.  The “something” you need to do is think about the information.   This means organizing it, analyzing it, and coming to some conclusion about it.  This is what historians (and beginning history students need to) do.  From this process comes questions and comments in class, which are very welcome.  So open your mind and learn.

Additionally, consult your syllabus or the class website at least once a week to check/confirm reading assignments and due dates for class tasks (be organized).

And always (at least) try to do any extra-credit questions or assignments.  Extra credit is only applied when completed to those students who have completed every assigned regular class task.  It will not substitute for any missing work.

Use all available class resources.  Check out Mr. Hargis's History Writing page (http://www.portervillecollege.edu/hargis/history_writing.htm).  It gives you approaches to successfully reading, writing, and understanding what it is we're doing here.  Our class project/essay rubric is on the instructor's college webpage.  And, if your main text has online chapter and mp3 audio summaries, practice tests, etc. then you should use to help you understand what it is you are learning and why it is important.  You are really wasting much of your time in this class if you don't utilize these resources available to you.

Finally, if you feel that you are having problems being successful, please seek out the instructor for help as soon as possible for help.  My office hours are posted on the instructor's college webpage.   You also may contact me with questions or for setting up a face-to-face conference via email at jhargis@portervillecollege.edu  or by the phone numbers given above.  Don't wait until it is too late.

 
    Lectures, Readings, & Assignments Schedule 

January 22  Introduction & Expectations

           What to Expect & How to Be Successful in This Course

           Mexican Americans: A Question of Terms and Identity

           Approaches to Mexican American History

           Read Burciaga's Drink Cultura: Chicanismo by February 5

January 29   Indigenous Ancestors:  Acuña - Chapter 1; Drink Cultura: Chicanismo paper due

February 5   The Violent Birth of New Spain - Acuña - Chapter 2

February 12  NO CLASS - LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY

February 19  Warring Neighbors:  Acuña - Chapter  3

February 26  Tejanos, Rinches, & Corridos:  Acuña - Chapter 4

March 5      Hispanos Not Mexicans:  Acuña - Chapter 5

March 12     From Californios to Greasers:  Acuña - Chapter 7

March 19     Invisible Workers:  Acuña - Chapter 8

March 26     Becoming "Mexican Americans":  Acuña - Chapters 9-10

April 2       NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK HOLIDAY

April 9       The ‘40s:  GIs, Pachucos, & Braceros:  Acuña - Chapter 11

April 16      Mexican Americans in the 1950s: Acuña - Chapter 12