Chicano Studies 102
The Chicano and the American Political System
3 units (Section Number 33462)
Spring 2001 (January 16 – May 15) / Instructor: Silverio HaroTuesday, 6:00 - 8:50 P.M.
/ Office: CSU San Marcos, Craven Hall 6210
Palomar College
Escondido Center, EC-503 / Tel. (760) 750-4167
E-mail:
http://daphne.palomar.edu/sharo/
Introduction:
This course traces the political development of Chicanos in the United States by examining their record of cultural, economic, and social experiences in the Southwest and using theories of democracy and political participation as the foundations for analysis. The course introduces institutional factors that have served to politically alienate Chicanos in American society and the measures they have taken to gain political power. Accordingly, the course uses historical records as well as contemporary issues to illustrate the conditions of political and social relations in the US.
The course begins with an examination of the first chapter of Chicano politics: The US-Mexico War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This section analyzes the social and economic conditions that resulted from the War and eventually excluded Chicanos from political participation. Attention is given to the varied responses Chicanos made to these changing conditions. This includes a review of the development of mutual aid societies and their future growth and change into the present day Chicano political organizations. The second portion of this course reviews and analyzes the political movements associated with the early Chicano Civil Rights Movement (UFW, Crusade for Justice, La Alianza, Brown Berets, and La Raza Unidad Party) and the various goals and approaches used by each to gain political power. The third section of this course reviews contemporary issues affecting the Chicano and Latino communities, with attention to Propositions 187, 209, and 227, redistricting, party affiliations, and the US Census. We will use the Los Angeles Times newspaper to discuss current issues and policies relevant to the Latino community.
Attendance:
Your attendance is most important. Please be punctual and adhere to the Palomar College attendance policy. Please notify me in advance of absences at the number listed above.
Participation:
Class preparedness is an important and necessary aspect of learning and participation. Read the assigned materials. You are encouraged to participate in class discussions, as your perspective, comments, and questions are important to the learning process. Disagreement is expected, but respect for one another’s ideas shall be observed at all times.
Required Texts:
Border Visions: Mexican Cultures of the Southwest United States, Carlos Vélez-Ibáñez
Pursuing Power: Latinos and the Political System, edited by F. Chris García
Chicano!: The History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement, F. Arturo Rosales
Tuesday’s edition of the Los Angeles Times newspaper (available on-line at www.latimes.com/print/)
Assignments & Grading:
Assignments are due on the specified dates at the beginning of class. Grades are based on the total number of points earned for all graded assignments. All of the following assignments must be completed in order to receive a grade:
Feb. 27 Week 7
Essay #1: A political issue related to Latinos using the LA Times. Three pages / 25 PointsMar. 6 Week 8
Mid Term Exam: On lectures and readings / 35 PointsApril 3 Week 12
Essay #2: A political issue related to Latinos using the LA Times. Four pages / 40 Points
May 15 Week 18
Final Exam: On lectures and readings since the midterm / 45 PointsFree Writes are assigned throughout the course and are generally written in-class. These are short responses to a question posed about a reading assignment, a current political issue, or a video. / 30 Points
Class Participation consists of attendance (16 pts.) and class contributions (9). / 25 Points
Total / 200 Points
Grading Scale:
A = 180 - 200 Points
B = 160 - 179 Points
C = 140 - 159 Points
D = 120 – 139 Points
Other Class Policies:
1. READ. You are responsible for reading and knowing the contents of this syllabus. If you have questions or are not clear about any aspect of the course, please ask for clarification.
2. SCHEDULE. Please check your exam schedule now to make sure there will be no conflicts.
3. RESPECT. Your opinion and comments are important and you are encouraged to share your views. You are free to disagree with your colleagues and the instructor; however, we must at all times show respect and tolerance for all expressed views.
Course Objectives:
1. Introduce students to vital political science concepts relevant to understanding the political system in the United States.
2. Examine the political development of Mexican-Americans in a historical and contemporary context to understand their quest for equality.
3. Understand the role of ethnic and political goals in the development of the Chicano and Latino politics.
4. Develop analytical skills and communicate key information in comprehending, writing, and discussing the political development of Chicanos and Latinos in the US.
CS 102 Course Schedule
Session 11/16 / Introduction to the course and review of course objectives.
What is Chicano Politics? Why is it important to understand? What are the elements of democracy? What are the issues that affect Latinos?
Session 2
1/23 / Relating the experience of Chicanos and their political position: A political framework
Pursuing Power, 1-15; Border Visions, 3-11; Chicano!, xiii – xxiii; LA Times
Session 3
1/30 / Political Culture of the Southwest: Before and after the US-Mexican War
Border Visions, p. 20-70; LA Times
Video: The US-Mexico War
Session 4
2/6 / Aftermath of the US-Mexican War: Cultural heroes or social bandits?
Border Visions, p. 70-107; Chicano!, 2 – 17; LA Times
Video: The Ballad of Gregorio Cortés
Session 52/13 / The establishment of mutual aid societies (mutualistas)
Border Visions, p. 107-136; Chicano!, 56 – 71; LA Times
Video: Los Mineros
Session 6
2/20 / World War II: The birth of the American GI Forum
Border Visions, 200-206; Chicano!, 90 - 109; LA Times
Session 7
2/27 / Emerging needs and problems related to the Chicano community
Pursuing Power, p. 7-15; Border Visions, p. 182-196; LA Times
Video: The Lemon Grove Incident
Essay #1 Due
Session 8
3/6 /
Midterm Exam
3/13 /SPRING BREAK
Session 93/20 / Input to the political system: Participation
Pursuing Power, p. 31-43; LA Times
Session 10
3/27 / The beginnings of the modern Chicano Movement: Political leaders and their objectives
Chicano!, 154 – 170; Video: Chicano! Quest for A Homeland
Session 11
4/3 / Chicanos and Educational Issues
Chicano!, 174 – 195; Video: Chicano! Taking Back the Schools
Essay #2 Due
Session 12
4/10 / The Cesar Chávez and the farm worker movement
LA Times
Chicano!, 130 – 151; Video: Chicano! Struggle in the Fields
Session 13
4/17 / Representation and Decision-making: The importance of the US Census
Chicano!, 198 – 247; Video: Chicano! Fighting for Political Power
Session 14
4/24 / The Political Situation of the 1990s and Beyond
Pursuing Power, p. 72-88; LA Times
Video: Fear and Learning at Hoover Elementary
Session 15
5/1 / A Matter of Language
Pursuing Power, p. 343-367
Session 16
5/8 / Latinos and affirmative action
Pursuing Power, p. 368-400
Session 17
5/15 / FINAL EXAMINATION: Exam will cover readings, video, and lectures since midterm.
CS 102, Sp001 rev. 01/01