POL 320:  Latino Politics                                              Prof. Manuel Avalos

Spring 2001                                                                 Office: FAB N241

T, Th 12:15 – 1:30  p.m.                                             X-3-6044

Sands 206                                                                   Office Hours: Wed 2-3:30 p.m.

                                                                                    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 10 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.

 

 

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%

Classroom discussion: 10%

Reading Summaries: 20%

Midterm Exams (2) : 40%

Final Exam:  20%

 

 

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 February 9,  restricted March 30.

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.

 

Earl Shorris. 1992.  Latinos:  A Biography of the People. New York: Avon Books.

 

Michael Jones-Correa, 1998. Between Two Nations:  The Political Predicament of Latinos in New York City.  Cornell University Press

 

Maria de los Angeles Torres. 1999. In the Land of Mirrors: Cuban Exile Politics in the United States.  Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

 

Victor Valle and Rodolfo Torres. 2000. Latino Metropolis. Minneapolis:  Univ. of Minnesota Press.

 

 

COURSE TOPICS

 

I.       The Latino Population in the U.S. – Who are We?  (January 16 – 18)       

 

            Lecture- Introduction, Course Overview and Demographic

            Characteristics of the Latino Population

           

 Film:  Jan. 16

 

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

 

Victor Valle and Rodolfo Torres. Latino Metropolis.  Intro

 

Earl Shorris, 1992. Latinos, Chapters 1-8

 

 

II.    Latino Ethnicity, Culture and Identity (January 23-25)

           

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.  The Political Economy of Work (Jan. 30 – Feb. 1)

 

           

Film:  January 30

 

Chicano!  The History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement: The Struggle in the Fields, Vol. 2

           

 

            Required Readings:

 

*Mary Romero. 1997. “Life as the Maid’s Daughter: An Exploration of the Everyday Boundaries of Race, Class and Gender,” in Romero, Hondagneu-Sotelo and Ortiz eds., Challenging Fronteras. (New York: Routledge Press). Pp. 195-209.

           

*Edna Bonacich, 1999. “Latino Immigrant Workers in the Los Angeles Apparel Industry,” in Torres and Katsiaficas eds., Latino Social Movements (New York: Routledge). Pp. 141-164.

 

            Victor Valle and Rodolfo Torres, Latino Metropolis. Chapters 1-3

 

 

 

 

IV. Latino Social Movements

 

 

  1. Mexican Americans and the Civil Rights Movement (February 6 – February 15)

 

Films: February 6, February 13

 

Chicano! History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement: Taking Back the Schools, Vol. 3

 

Chicano! History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement:  Fighting for Political Power, Vol. 4

 

 

Required Readings:

 

*Carlos Munoz. 1989. Youth, Identity and Power. (New York: Verso Press). Introduction, Pp. 1-18; Chapter 2, Pp.47-73; Chapter 4, Pp. 99-126.

 

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.

 

 

  1. Cuban Exile Politics (February 20-22)

 

Film: February 20

 

Crossing Borders:   A Cuban Returns

 

Required Readings:

 

Maria de los Angeles Torres, In the Land of Mirrors, Chapters 3-6

 

  1. Puerto Rican Independence Movement (February 27 – March 1)

 

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.

 

V.  Latino Political Participation in National Elections 

 

Film:  Power, Politics and Latinos (March 6)

 

 

            A. National Politics -- Latino Political Participation (March 20-22

 

No Class March 8

SPRING BREAK – March 12-16

             

B. The Impact of the Latina/o Vote in Arizona 1992-2000 (March 20-22)

           

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.

VI.  Latino Community Politics  (March 27)

 

            Film: Chicano Park

 

Required Readings:

 

      Victor Valle and Rodolfo Torres 2000. Latino Metropolis, Chapters 4-6.

 

*Mary Pardo. 1997. “Mexican American Women Grassroots Community Activists: “Mothers of East Los Angeles.” In F. Chris Garcia ed., Pursuing Power. Pp. 151-168.

*Dario Moreno. 1997. “The Cuban Model: Political Empowerment in Miami.”

In F. Chris Garcia ed., Pursuing Power. Pp. 208-226

 

    VII. The Politics of Immigration and Political Integration ( March 29 – April 5)

 

            Film: Legacy of Shame (March 29)

            Film: Point of View: Fear and Learning at Hoover Elementary (April 3)

           

            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.

 

*Clara Rodriquez. 1997. “A Summary of Puerto Rican Migration to the United States,” in Romero, Hondagneu-Sotelo and Ortiz eds., Challenging Fronteras. (New York: Routledge Press). Pp. 101-113.

 

Michael Jones-Correa. Between Two Nations entire

           

VIII.  Language Policy (April 10-12)

           

            Required Reading:

 

*Ronald Schmidt Sr. 2000. Language and Identity Politics in the United States (Philadelphia: Temple University Press).  Chapters 3-4. Pp. 69-129

           

IX. The Politics of Education 

 

A. The Politics of Affirmative Action and Educational Access (April 17)

 

                       

 

Required Readings:

           

*Troy Duster. 1999. “Individual Fairness, Group Preferences, and the California Strategy,” in Post and Rogin eds., Race and Representation: Affirmative Action. Pp. 111-133.

 

*David Montejano. 1999. “Maintaining Diversity at the University of Texas,” in Post and Rogin eds., Race and Representation:  Affirmative Action. Pp. 359-369.                     

Lani Guinier. 1997. “The Real Bias in Higher Education.” NEW YORK TIMES   June 24, 1997.

            B.  Bilingual Education and Prop. 203 in Arizona (April 24)

            Required Readings:

           

            TBA

                                   

           

C.    The Politics of Latino Faculty and Higher Education (April 26-May 2)

 

            April 26:  Film:  Shattering the Silences

            May 2:    Film:  Shattering the Silences/Discussion w/Dr. Gloria Cuadraz

             

 

            Required Readings:

 

            *Tatcho Mindiola Jr. 1993.  “Getting Tenure at the U.” In Raymond Padilla and

            Rudolfo Chavez eds., The Leaning Ivory Tower. Pp. 29-51.

 

            Edna Bonacich. 2000. Racism in the Deep Structure of U.S. Higher

Education:  When Affirmative Action is Not Enough,” in Aquirre and Baker eds., Sturctured Inequality in the United States. Pp.  67-76