California State University, Channel Islands
CHS 100:
Chicano/as in Contemporary Society
Fall Semester 2008
Manzanita Hall 1149
Tuesdays and Thursdays
4:30pm-5:45pm
(last updated 8/25/08)
Dr. José M. Alamillo
Associate Professor and Coordinator
Chicano/a Studies Program
Sage Hall 2125
Office Hours M & 12-2pm or by appointment
(805) 437-2586
jose.alamillo@csuci.edu
www.josealamillo.com
This course offers an introductory study of Chicanos and Chicanas in contemporary society in the United States. It focuses on areas such as culture, history, fine arts, family, language, education, politics, economics and social issues as they relate to the Mexican American experience in relationship to other groups in American society.
Fulfills G.E. Requirements (D: Social Perspectives and C3b: Multicultural)
LEARNING OUTCOMES
●Evaluate the roots of Chicano culture
●Identify important political, economic, social and historical movements, which have affected Chicano society
● Define concepts of traditional and contemporary Chicano/a family values
● Describe existing Chicano traditions in the fine arts.
COURSE TEXTBOOKS:
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
●Attendance and Class Participation (10%)
The sharing and exchanging of ideas and experiences are a central part of classroom learning and building community. Hence, class attendance and participation is an essential component of our class. It is to your benefit to come to class regularly. You are allowed two absences with no questions asked but after two unexcused absences your total participation points and final grade will be affected. If you miss due to medical reasons please bring a doctor’s note. Students are responsible for notifying the Instructor in advance to receive an excused absence. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the professor or another student for missed assignments. Your participation in class discussions is important. Since not all people are comfortable participating in the same way there will be different opportunities to participate, such as small group discussion and electronic discussion (Blackboard). I expect you to contribute to discussions, ask questions and to participate actively in in-class and outside group activities. Keep in mind that you cannot engage in a dialogue nor pose thoughtful questions unless you complete the assigned readings before class.
● Writing Responses (30%)
You will be asked periodically to respond individually or collectively to questions from the readings, lecture, films and class discussions. These writing responses will be conducted at the beginning of class for approximately 10-15 minutes or will be asked to response electronically on Blackboard. The responses will range from 1-2 pages. There will be a total of 8 responses.
● Group Presentations (30%)
Each student will be paired up with one or two students to during the first or second week and will be required to make a group presentation at the end of the semester. The purpose of the group presentation is to allow students to explore a topic or issue in more depth and share your findings with the class. Each group will be responsible to meet outside of class and conduct the research on such topic/issue. You will receive specific guidelines on the group presentation that will be posted on Blackboard. See Group Presentation Guidelines.
● Final Exam (30%)
The final exam will cover all lectures, readings and films/videos during the entire semester. Each student must take the final exam to complete the course. There will be no substitute work or make-up exams without the documented illness or emergency notification. The Final Exam will be distributed on the last day of class, Dec. 3rd and will be due Monday, Dec.8th by 6pm.
· Extra Credit:
There will be extra credit opportunities throughout the semester. There will be opportunities to earn Extra Credit points throughout the semester. Some examples include Latino Heritage Month events, museum exhibitions, theatrical performances, and film screenings. To earn extra credit you must write a short response on the presentation or film, or event you attended. Each Extra Credit is worth 3 points. No extra credit will be accepted after the last day of class.
GRADING POLICIES
The final grade system will be a “+/-” A, B, C, D, and F-scale. For individuals taking the course for credit/non-credit, a minimum C grade is needed for credit.
Grading Scale:
100% - 95% = A
94% - 90% = A-
89% - 87% = B+
86% - 84% = B
83% - 80% = B-
79% - 77% = C+
76% - 74% = C
73% - 70% = C-
69% - 67% = D+
66% - 64% = D
63% and below = F
Grade Calculation:
Attendance/Participation...………………………....……………….………………..10%
Written Responses………………………………………………….…………………30%
Group Presentations……….………………………....……………..........................30%
Final Exam………………………………………....................................................30%
SPECIAL NOTES
-All dates, assignments and readings listed on this syllabus are subject to change with notice.
-I expect that during class you will turn off your cell phones and other distracting electronic devices.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty includes such things as cheating; plagiarism, inventing false information or citations, and helping someone else commit an act of academic dishonesty. If caught students we be punished according to university guidelines: http://senate.csuci.edu/2002-2003/SP02-01.pdf
Disability Accommodation Services
Disability Accommodation Services (DAS) is dedicated to providing a broad range of quality support services to meet the needs of students with all types of physical, learning, psychological and/or sensory impairments that limit major life activities. Services are available to any student who finds his or her disability to be a barrier to achieving their educational goals. Only those students who identify themselves to the University and present appropriate written documentation of a disability are eligible for accommodation. Students with disabilities should contact the DAS office as soon as possible, even if they are not yet enrolled. All requests for accommodations require appropriate advance notice to avoid a delay in services. (V/TTY): (805) 437-8510. Fax: (805) 437-8529. accommodations@csuci.edu.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, Aug. 26:Introduction to the course and new Chicano/a Studies Major
Thursday, Aug. 28: What is Chicano, Latino, Hispanic,…What’s in a name?
Powerpoint #1
Tuesday, Sept. 2: Where is Aztlan?
READ: Borderlands, Chapter 1: “The Homeland, Aztlan” (23-45)
Thursday, Sept. 4: Mexican American Generation
READ: Youth, Identity & Power, Preface, Introduction, Chapter 1
Tuesday, Sept. 9: Rise of the Chicano Generation
READ: Youth, Identity & Power, Chapter 2
VIDEO: Quest for a Homeland
Writing Response #1
Thursday, Sept. 11: Chicano and Chicana Student Movement
READ: Youth, Identity & Power, Chapter 3
VIDEO: Taking Back the Schools
Tuesday, Sept. 16: Rise of a Chicano Political Party
READ: Youth, Identity & Power, Chapter 4
Thursday, Sept. 18: The Struggle for Chicano and Chicana Studies
READ: Youth, Identity & Power, Chapter 5
Patricia Zavella, “The Problematic Relationship between Feminism and Chicana Studies” (Blackboard)
Tuesday, Sept. 23: The Decade of the Hispanic Generation
READ: Youth, Identity & Power, Chapter 6 & Epilogue
Writing Response #2
Thursday, Sept. 25: Mexican American-Mexican Immigrant Relations
READ: Becoming Neighbors, Chapter 1 & 2
Tuesday, Sept. 30: Chicano Educational History
READ: Becoming Neighbors, Chapter 3
VIDEO: Mendez v. Westminster
Thursday, Oct. 2: Construction of Racial and Ethnic Identity
READ: Becoming Neighbors, Chapter 4
Writing Response #3
Tuesday, Oct, 7: Intra-Group Conflict in the Schools
READ: Becoming Neighbors, Chapter 5
Thursday, Oct, 9: Building Group Solidarity in the Schools
READ: Becoming Neighbors, Chapter 6
Tuesday, Oct. 14: Parents Mobilizing for Quality Education
READ: Becoming Neighbors, Chapter 7 & 8
Writing Response #4
Thursday, Oct. 16: What is Chicano Popular Culture?
READ: Chicano/a Popular Culture, Intro. & Chapter 1
Tuesday, Oct. 21: Chicano Music
READ: Chicano/a Popular Culture, Chap. 2
VIDEO: Songs of the Homeland
Thursday, Oct. 23: Chicano Cinema
READ: Chicano/a Popular Culture, Chap. 3
Writing Response #5
Tuesday, Oct. 28: Spanish Language Newspapers, Radio, & Television.
READ: Chicano/a Popular Culture, Chap. 4
VIDEO: Brown is the New Green
Thursday, Oct. 30: Chicano Art, Celebrations & Popular Traditions
READ: Chicano/a Popular Culture, Chap. 6
Tuesday, Nov. 4: Rise of Chicano/a Literature
READ: Chicano/a Popular Culture, Chap. 5
Writing Response #6
Thursday, Nov. 6: A Chicana Critique of Male Dominance
READ: Borderlands, Introduction to Second Edition (1-13) & Chapter 2: “Movimientos de rebeldia…” (37-45)
Tuesday, Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day- No Class
Thursday, Nov. 13: La Facultad
READ: Borderlands, Chapter 3: “Entering into the Serpent”
Writing Response #7
Tuesday, Nov. 18: Coatlicue State
READ: Borderlands, Chapter 4: “The Coatlicue State”
Thursday, Nov. 20: Chicano Spanish and Writing
READ: Borderlands, Chapter 5: “How to Tame Wild Tongue” & Chapter 6 “Tlilli, Tlapalli”
Tuesday, Nov. 25: New Mestiza Consciousness
READ: Borderlands, Chapter 7: “Towards a New Consciousness”
And Dolores Delgado Bernal, “Learning and living pedagogies of the home: The mestiza consciousness of Chicana students” (Blackboard)
Writing Response #8
Thursday Nov. 27: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY --NO CLASS
Tuesday, Dec. 2: GROUP PRESENTATIONS
Thursday, Dec. 4: GROUP PRESENTATIONS DISTRIBUTE FINAL EXAM
Tuesday, Dec. 9th FINAL EXAM DUE (before 6pm)