Chicano Studies Program Spring 2002

Professor Marquez 301 North Hall

marquez@pop.polisci.wisc.edu 263-2414

Introduction to Chicano (Mexican-American) Studies 201

Mexican Americans are the second largest ethnic minority group in the United States. As a group they face problems of poverty, unemployment, and discrimination. At the same time, Mexican Americans are culturally, economically and politically diverse. How these differences help us understand the dynamics of race, class, and ethnicity in American society will be the central focus of this class.

The following texts are on reserve and have been ordered at the University Bookstore and the Underground Textbook Exchange for purchase:

Ignacio Garcia. United We Win.

Linda Gordon. The Great Arizona Orphan Abduction.

Portes and Rumbaut. Legacies: The Story of the Immigrant Second Generation.

Richard Rodriguez. Hunger of Memory.

Vicki Ruiz. Cannery Women/Cannery Lives.

Course Requirements

I. Class Participation

I encourage class participation. Extra credit will be given for thoughtful questions, arguments and debate.

II. Two Mid-Term Examinations

The mid-term examinations will consist of one essay question and several short answer questions.

III. Five Book Critiques

Five (5) five-page critiques of the thesis, methods, evidence and conclusions of the reading assignments. Guidelines will be distributed in class. Papers are due on the day the books are discussed.

IV. A Research Paper

Your research paper will include a transcript and analysis of an interview with an individual, not affiliated with the University of Wisconsin System, who is involved in Mexican American community affairs. The finished product should be about fifteen pages in length. Guidelines will be distributed in class. The term paper will be due on May 10th.

Note: All paper topics and persons to be interviewed must be cleared with me before the Spring Break. Please make an appointment to see me in my office.

V. A Comprehensive Final Examination

See Timetable for time and place. Format to be announced.

Course Evaluation

The grade will be determined according to the following criteria:

First Mid-Term Exam 15%

Second Mid-Term Exam 15%

Book Critiques (5% each) 25%

Research Paper 25%

Final Examination 20%

Class Participation (Up to) 5% Extra Credit

Make-up exams will be given only in the case of a medical emergency.

Office Hours: Monday 9:00 to 10:00, Wednesday 9:00 to 10:00 and by appointment.

Extended office hours will be held during exam periods.

Please feel free to make an appointment or drop by during my office hours. I welcome students.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week One. January 22 - 25: Course Requirements, Socio Economic Overview

a. Syllabus distributed. Introduction to class format, grading, etc.

b. Mexican American earnings, education, employment patterns

Read: The Great Arizona Orphan Abduction.

Week Two. January 28 – February 1: The History of Anglo and Mexican American Conflict

a. Southwestern settlement patterns

b. The United States-Mexico War.

c. Land loss and its consequences.

Week Three. February 4 - 8: Immigration from Mexico and Urbanization after 1900

a. Class discussion of The Great Arizona Orphan Abduction. Five page critique due.

b. Mexican migration patterns.

c. Areas settled, industries worked.

d. Immigration and the American labor market.

Week Four. February 11 - 15: Organizing Against Racism and Segregation.

a. The debates over race, class and culture

a. The Mutualistas

b. Labor Organizations

Read: Cannery Women/Cannery Lives.

Week Five. February 18 - 22: Organizing Against Racism and Segregation (continued).

a. The middle class demand for equality and social integration

b. Class discussion of Cannery Women/Cannery Lives. Five page critique due.

Week Six. February 25 – March 1: The Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s

a. First Mid-Term Exam

b. Social and political context of the Chicano Movement.

c. The ideology of the Chicano Movement

Read: Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzalez. I Am Joaquin (on reserve); United We Win.

Week Seven. March 4 - 8: The Chicano Movement of the 1960's and 1970's (continued).

a. Video "I Am Joaquin." Class discussion.

b. Political organizations and goals

Read: Hunger of Memory

Week Eight. March 11 - 15: Politics after the Civil Rights Movement

a. Class discussion of United We Win. Five page critique due.

b. Labeling and use of the term "Chicano"

c. Assimilation and cultural retention

Week Nine. March 18 - 22: Politics after the Civil Rights Movement (continued)

a. Class discussion of Hunger of Memory. Five page critique due.

b. Term paper guidelines distributed.

c. Second Mid-Term Exam

*************Spring Break March 23 - 31*************

Week Ten. April 1 - April 5: Politics and Identity

a. The Environmental Justice Movement

b. The United Farm Workers Union

Week Twelve. April 15 – 19: Political Organizing and Identity (continued).

a. Garment workers

b. The Mexican American Women's National Association

Read: Legacies, pp. 192-286.

Week Thirteen. April 22 - 26: Race and Racism

a. Phenotype and discrimination

b. U. S. Census Categorization

c. Immigration from Mexico and Mexican Americans

d. Discuss Legacies. Five page critique due.

Week Fourteen. April 29 - May 3: Interest and Votes

a. Mexican American voting patterns

b. Race and representation

Week Fifteen. May 6 - May 10: Bridging the Racial Divide

a. La Raza Unida Party Revisited

b. The Alinsky school of organizing in Mexican American neighborhoods

c. Review for final examination