California State University, Channel Islands
CHS 292
Chicana/o Studies
Service Learning and Engagement:
BRACERO ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
Fall Semester 2008
Mondays, 10:00-11:50am
Bell Tower 1471 &
Café on A, 438 South A St. Oxnard CA
Prof. José Alamillo
Chicana/o Studies
Sage Hall Room 2125
(805) 437-2685
jose.alamillo@csuci.edu
www.josealamillo.com
Office Hours: M &W 12-2pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to the practices necessary for effective research and work on issues of social justice in Chicana/o communities, with an emphasis on the Bracero guest worker program that took place from 1942 to 1964. Students will learn how to identify, research, and reflect socio-historical issues through "hands-on" service learning. Students will engage in and apply learned skills and techniques necessary for social change within Chicana/o communities and to develop problem-solving methodologies as a practical means towards advancing social and economic justice. This fall semester, the focus of the course will be the Bracero program, in conjunction with the Smithsonian Bracero Oral History Project. Students will collect oral histories from Ventura County Braceros, ranchers, wives and daughters of Braceros and others connected to the Bracero Program, and help organize events and exhibits in different communities in Ventura County, among other scholarly and service activities. Spanish-speaking ability a plus, but is not required!
Course satisfies GE category: D (Social Perspectives)
Course counts toward the B.A. and Minor in Chicana/o Studies
Service Learning Outcomes
Upon completion students will be able to:
1) Demonstrate an ability to think critically analytically and creatively about the Chicana/o experience in the local and global society by examining the projects and programs of public and non-profit agencies in our service area.
2) Demonstrate competency in oral, written, and practical research skills.
3) Assemble a comprehensive knowledge and sensitivity of Chicana/o history, culture, socio-political issues, arts, language, and equality.
4) Demonstrate practical leadership skills to promote social change in the Chicana/o communities in Ventura County region.
COURSE READINGS
The Bracero Oral History Reader will be available in Blackboard.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
● Class Attendance and Participation (20%)
Attendance is mandatory and class participation is essential for this service learning course. If you cannot attend class due to illness or family emergency please contact the instructor and/or bring a doctor’s note to class.
● Reflection Papers (30%)
You will be asked to submit 3-5page typed papers through the semester. These two papers will address specific questions posed by the instructor. Each of the questions relate to the course readings, videos and oral history methodology.
● Oral History Interview, Paper and Class Presentation (50%)
You will be required to conduct an oral history interview, write an 8-10 page paper based on the content of the interview, and make a class presentation for 8-10 minutes. By participating in the Bracero Oral History Project you will develop interviewing skills and gain a better understanding of the Chicano/a experience. This assignment will also allow you to make connections between academic material and lived experiences. By writing a paper based on the interviewee it will sharpen your analytical and critical thinking skills. Your paper should make connections to the experiences of the interviewee in relation to Bracero Program and the emerging Bracero historiography. The presentation should highlight the main themes of the interview and answer how it fits into the larger narrative about Bracero Program. More detailed paper guidelines will be posted on Blackboard.
● Extra Credit: For extra credit you may conduct additional oral history interviews. In addition, 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 paper (1-2 pages) on the interviewee, presentation or film, or event. Each Extra Credit is worth 10 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.
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...……………………………………….……………………20%
Reflection Papers (1, 2, 3)………………………………………………….………….30%
Bracero Interview, Paper and Presentation………………………………....................50%
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
Monday, Aug. 25:Introduction to the Bracero Oral History Project
Wednesday, Aug. 26:
VIDEO: Los Braceros: Strong Arms to Aid the U.S.A
Video Excerpt of: Soldiers of the Fields (Work in Progress)
Monday, Sep. 1: LABOR DAY –NO CLASS-
PART 1: BRACERO HISTORIOGRAPHY
Monday, Sep. 8: Comparative and Political Economy Approaches
READ: Joon Kim, “The Political Economy of the Mexican Farm Labor Program, 1942-1964” and Gilbert Gonzalez, “Imperialism and Labor-Mexican, Indian, and Algerian Labor Migrations in Comparative Perspective” in Guest Workers or Colonized Labor: Mexican Labor Migration to the United States.(Black Board)
Monday, Sep. 15: Bracero Work and Labor Resistance
READ: Erasmo Gamboa, “Bracero Worker” and “Huelgas: Bracero Strikes” in
Mexican Labor and World War II (Blackboard)
Monday, Sep. 22: Social and Gender Issues
READ: Gamboa, “Bracero Social Life,” and Matt Garcia, “Intraethnic Conflict and the Bracero Program during World War II” and Deborah Cohen, “From Peasant to Worker: Migration, Masculinity and the Making of Mexican Workers in the U.S”(Blackboard)
Monday, Sep. 29: Bracero Program’s Relevance to Current Immigration Proposals
READ: David Bacon, “The Political Economy of Immigration Reform: The Corporate Campaign for a U.S. Guest Worker Program” and Heather Schwartz, “Historical Memory and the importance of the Bracero Project in the struggles of trabajadores migrantes today” (Blackboard)
REFLECTION PAPER #1 DUE
PART 2: ORAL HISTORY METHODOLOGY
Monday, Oct. 6: Why Oral History?
READ: Thompson, “Voices of the Past” and Portelli, “What Makes Oral History Different” and “The Death of Luigi Trastulli” (Blackboard)
Monday, Oct. 13: Oral History in Chicano/a Communities
READ: Ruiz, “Situating Stories: The Surprising Consequences of Oral History” and Anderson “Oral History and Migrant Wage Labor: Sources of Narrative Distortion” (Blackboard)
Monday, Oct. 20: Oral Histories of Braceros
READ: Interview Excerpts from Rodolfo Jacobo’s Los Braceros and :“Braceros Help Again Retracing U.S. History” (Blackboard)
Monday, Oct. 27: Do’s and Don’ts of Oral History
READ: Anderson “Learning to Listen,” Morrissey, “Interviewing Technique in Oral History Fieldwork” and Shopes” Using Oral History for a Family History Project” (Blackboard)
REFLECTION PAPER #2 DUE
PART 3: CONDUCTING BRACERO INTERVIEWS
Monday, Nov. 3 ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWING
Monday Nov. 10 Veteran’s Day- No Class-
Monday Nov. 17 ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWING
Monday Nov. 24 BRACERO PAPER WRITING
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (Nov. 27-29)
Monday Dec. 1 BRACERO PRESENTATIONS
Monday, Dec. 8th BRACERO FINAL PAPER DUE (before 12:30pm)