Political Science 320: Latino Politics
Prof. Manuel Avalos
Fall 2001
M, W 10:40 – 11:55 a.m.
Sands 225
Office: FAB N303H X-3-6044
Office Hours: M 1:30–2:30 and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines the role of Latino electorates in shaping state and national politics. After a review of the political histories of the various Latino national origin
groups, we will discuss public policy issues that concern Latinos, the successes and failures of Latino empowerment strategies, and the electoral impact of Latino
votes. The class will primarily focus on the three largest Latino national-origin groups, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans, and the degree to
which their political agendas are likely to merge or diverge over the coming years. The question that we will return to throughout the course is the degree to which it
is accurate to speak of a Latino politics and a Latino community. Additionally this course will examine the cross-cutting cleavages of race, class and gender in the
political struggles of the Latino population in the U.S.
Course Objectives and Goals
1) To read and discuss an array of materials on Latino Politics
2) To develop critical reading and thinking and writing skills
3) To introduce students to the complexity of the Latino population and divergent political agendas of various subgroups
4) To develop an understanding of the historical origins of how Latino social/political movements have emerged and changed
5) To evaluate the role of movements and activists in policy reform and social/political change
6) To examine the impact of the Latino vote on contemporary politics
7) To explore contemporary policy issues affecting the Latino population
8) To examine the agency and contributions of Latinos to the process of political and social change
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Primary emphasis will be placed on student participation in classroom discussion of the
assigned readings and less on class lectures. In order to do this, the student's main obligation in this class will be to keep up with each week's readings and to participate in class discussion. Students will be assigned as discussion
leaders for the purpose of leading classroom discussion on assigned readings.
Writing Assignments
Everyone will be required to write 5 short 1-2 pages summaries of readings assigned during the semester. A more detailed description of the writing assignments will
be forthcoming. The primary function of these summaries will be to contribute to class discussions.
Exams
There will be one midterm and one final exam in the course. The format of the exams will be entirely essay.
Group Project
You will be assigned to a 4 person group. This group will be examining the reapportionment of Congressional districts in Arizona and it’s impact on the Latino
community. Your group will be assessing the question of how representative are the maps drawn by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission? Each
group will make a class presentation evaluating the process and it’s impact on the Latino community. More specific details of the assignment will be forthcoming.
Grades
Grades in this course will be based on exams, essays and classroom discussion. The computation of final grades will be arrived at in the following manner:
Attendance: 10%
Reading Summaries: 20%
Midterm Exam: 20%
Final Exam: 20%
Group Presentation 20%
Group Writing Assignments 10%
Assignments
Students are responsible for all assigned readings. Read PRIOR to the assigned class time. Class lectures and discussions will cover material supplemental to the
readings, in addition to guiding you through them, so please come to class--even if you are unprepared! Assignments are due on the date scheduled. Make-up
exams will be given only in the event of a verifiable personal or family emergency. You are encouraged to consult with instructor at any time for assistance and ideas
on improving your performance.
Late Assignments
Unexcused late assignments will have 10 percentage points deducted from the grade automatically and must be turned no more than one week from the date that
they were due. No assignments will be accepted that are more than one week late. Being absent from class does not excuse you from having your assignments
delivered at the appropriate time.
Class Participation
Class attendance and participation is considered in the assignment of final grades . If you are not present in class, you cannot participate!
Absences
Daily class attendance will be taken. If you miss six or more classes you are encouraged to drop the course. Absence is at times unavoidable; nonetheless your
grade is likely to suffer.
Writing Guidelines
All work written for this course should be of a level appropriate to college students. Mechanics and grammar DO count. Please type and proofread carefully.
Everyone can improve their writing skills--even great writers. Check out the ASUW Writing Center for assistance in improving your written work.
Academic Integrity
The absolute highest standard of integrity and ethical conduct is a requirement of this course. Deviations therefore on any graded activity will not be tolerated.
Academic misconduct includes cheating on assignments and exams, and plagiarizing (using any work other than your own without proper acknowledgment).
Academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade of "XE." NOTE: It is not advisable to attempt to submit the same paper to fulfill an assignment for more than one
course without first obtaining approval from each of the instructors involved.
CAVEAT: If necessary or appropriate, the instructor reserves the option to change scheduled class topics, assignments, or due dates. Quizzes may be given if
deemed necessary.
WARNING: NO INCOMPLETES ! !
If you do not intend to complete the course it is advisable to officially withdraw.
Withdrawal deadlines: unrestricted September 14, restricted October 26.
Withdrawal will not be permitted after the final deadline.
Plagiarism
This is a class designed to teach you how to do original research. The worst possible thing you can do is to turn in someone else's work as your own. In the long
run it penalizes you (because you have not developed a useful skill) and in the short run it penalizes classmates who are judged on the same scale or curve. I will not
tolerate plagiarism! If you are caught doing it you will fail this course and appropriate university disciplinary action will be taken against you. Please do not do it.
It is more obvious than you think and easy to prove. Here are two excellent web sites that discuss what plagiarism is and how to avoid it (including the use
plagiarism on the internet: 1) University of California, Davis: http://sja.ucdavis.edu/SJA/plagiarism.html
2) Lisa Hinchliffe: http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/~janicke/plagiary.htm
Please take time and visit these websites about how to avoid plagiarism, it is for your own good. If you are still unsure about properly citing the work of others as
you are writing come to see me about it.
Required Readings
The following books are required for purchase and are available at the bookstore. Additional readings marked with an asterisk (*) in the syllabus will be available on
Digital Reserve.
Michael Jones-Correa, 1998. Between Two Nations: The Political Predicament of Latinos in New York City.
Cornell University Press
Andres Torres & Jose Velazquez eds., 1998. Puerto Rican Movement: Voices from the Diaspora. Temple University Press.
COURSE TOPICS
I. The Latino Population in the U.S. – Who are We? (August 20 – 27)
Lecture- Introduction, Course Overview and Demographic
Characteristics of the Latino Population
Video: August 27: The Americans: The Latin American and Caribbean Presence In the United States
Required Readings:
Tony Affigne. 2000. “Latino Politics in the United States: An Introduction,”
Political Science and Politics, v.33, no. 3 (September). Pp. 523-527
II. Latino Ethnicity, Culture and Identity (August 29 – Sept. 10)
Video: August 29: Chicano! The History of the Mexican American Civil Rights
Movement, ”Quest for a Homeland” Vol. 1
Video Sept. 5: Mirrors of the Heart
Required Readings:
Ron Schmidt Sr., Edwina Barvosa-Carter and Rodolfo Torres, 2000. “Latina/o Identities: Social Diversity and U.S. Politics,” Political Science and
Politics, Vol. 33, no. 3 (September), Pp. 563-567.
*Maria de los Angeles Torres. 1999. In the Land of Mirrors, Introduction and Chapters 1-2. Pp. 4-61.
Roberto P. Rodriquez-Morazzani. 1998. “Political Cultures of the Puerto Rican Left in the United States” in Torres and Valazquez eds., The Puerto Rican
Movement (Philadelphia: Temple Univ. Press). Pp. 25-47
*Martha Gimenez. 1999. Latino Politics – Class Struggles: Reflections on the Future of Latino Politics,” in Torres and Katsiaficas eds., Latino Social
Movements (New York: Routledge). Pp.165-180.
III. Latino Social Movements
A.Mexican Americans and the Civil Rights Movement (September 10-19)
Films: September 12, September 17
Chicano! The History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement: The Struggle in the Fields, Vol. 2
Chicano! History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement: Taking Back the Schools, Vol. 3
Required Readings:
*Bernard Grofman, Lisa Handley and Richard Niemi. 1992. “ The Right to Vote and the Right to Representation,” in Minority Representation and the
Quest for Voting Equality. Chapter 1, Pp. 4-28.
*Ruben Salazar. 1993. Border Correspondent: Selected Writings, 1955-1970.
Introduction, Pp. 1-38; Pp. 204-219; 235-244;262-268
B.Cuban Exile Politics (September 24-26)
Video: February 24
Crossing Borders: A Cuban Returns
Required Readings:
*Maria de los Angeles Torres, In the Land of Mirrors, Chapters 3-4
C. Puerto Rican Independence Movement (October 1-3)
Required Readings
Andres Torres. 1998. “Introduction – Political Radicalism in the Diaspora- The Puerto Rican Experience,” in Torres and Valazquez, eds., The Puerto
Rican Movement (Philadelphia: Temple Univ. Press). Pp.1-22.
Carmen Teresa Whalen. 1998. “Bridging Homeland and Barrio Politics: The Young Lords in Philadelphia,” in Torres and Valazquez, eds., The Puerto
Rican Movement (Philadelphia: Temple Univ. Press). Pp. 107-123.
Basilio Serrano. 1998. “Rifle, Canon, y Escopeta: A Chronicle of the Puerto Rican Student Union,” in Torres and Velazquez, eds., The Puerto Rican
Movement (Philadelphia: Temple Univ. Press). Pp. 124-143.
IV. Latino Political Participation in National Elections (October 8-22)
Film: Oct. 8 –Chicano; History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement: Fighting for Political Power, Vol. 4
A. National Politics -- Latino Political Participation (October 10-15)
B. The Impact of the Latino Vote in Arizona 1992-2000 (October 17-22)
Required Readings:
Hero, Garcia, Garcia and Pachon. 2000. “Latino Participation, Partisanship and Office Holding,” in Political Science and Politics, Vol. 33, no 3
(September). Pp. 529-534.
Montoya, Hardy-Fanta, and Garcia. 2000. “Latina Politics: Gender, Participation and Leadership,” in Political Science and Politics, Vol. 33, no. 3
(September). Pp. 555-561.
*Rodolfo de la Garza and Louis DeSipio. 1999. “Awash in the Mainstream: Latinos and the 1996 Elections,” in de la Garza and DeSipio eds., Awash in
the Mainstream (Boulder: Westview Press). Pp. 3-45.
*Manuel Avalos. 1999. “Less is More: Latinos in the 1996 Election in Arizona,” in de la Garza and DeSipio eds., Awash in the Mainstream, (Boulder:
Westview Press). Pp. 117-136.
V. Latino Representation (October 24-31)
Required Readings:
Benjamin Marquez and James Jennings. 2000. “Representation by Other Means: Mexican American and Puerto Rican Social Movement Organizations”
Political Science and Politics. Vol. 33, no 3 (September); Pp. 541-546.
*Bernard Grofman, Lisa Handley and Richard Niemi. 1992. “The Evolution of a Vote Dilution Standard through 1986” in Minority Representation and the
Quest for Voting Equality. Chapter 2. Pp.29-60.
*Bruce Cain. 1992. “Voting Rights and Democratic Theory: Toward a Color-Blind Society.” In Bernard Grofman and Chandler Davidson, eds.,
Controversies in Minority Voting. Pp. 261-77.
*Luis Fraga.1992. “Comment: Latino Political Incorporation and the Voting Rights Act.” In Bernard Grofman and Chandler Davidson, eds., Controversies
in Minority Voting. Pp. 278-282.
VI. Redistricting and Gerrymandering in Latino Communities (November 5-7)
Reqired Readings:
Supreme Court Syllabi (Shaw v. Reno 1993; Shaw v. Hunt 1996; Hunt v. Cromartie 2001; Bush v. Vera 1996)
*Timothy O’Rourke. 1995 “Shaw v. Reno and the Hunt for Double Cross-Overs”
Political Science and Politics, (March) Vol. 28, no. 1. Pp.36-41.
*Bernard Grofman, 1995. “Shaw v. Reno and the Future of Voting Rights,”
Political Sciences and Politics (March) Vol, 28, no. 1; Pp 27-35
VII. The Politics of Immigration and Political Integration ( November 12-21)
Film: Legacy of Shame (November 12)
Film: Point of View: Fear and Learning at Hoover Elementary (November14)
Required Readings:
Sierra, Carillo, DeSipio and Jones-Correa. 2000. “Latino Immigration and Citizenship” in Political Science and Politics, Vol. 33, no. 3 (September). Pp.
535-540.
Michael Jones-Correa. Between Two Nations entire
VIII. Student Presentations (November 26- December 3)