SYLLABUS—Fall 2010
English 4973.006
Senior Seminar: The U. S. Mexican Borderlands in Literature and Film
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Prof. Norma E. Cantú
University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of English
College of Liberal and Fine Arts
Office Hours:Thursday 1-2 p.m. or by appointment
Office: MB 2.306
Telephone(s): 210-458-5134 fax: 458-5366
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Introduction and Some Preliminary Words: Read the syllabus carefully, for it lays out not just the required theoretical and philosophical work in the course but the reading and writing requirements and the expectations for all students. Since this is a senior seminar, and as such it is a capstone course to be taken towards the end of a student’s undergraduate course of study in the Department of English, it requires readings and writings at the pre-graduate level. Those of you interested in pursuing graduate studies should choose to write the longer paper that can then serve as a writing sample for graduate school applications. If you are more interested in a career in education, you should choose a young adult novel for your book report. There will be a number of opportunities to do work outside of the class such as attend conferences and symposia. Some of these are required and you should let the professor know if you have a conflict and cannot attend these activities. Finally, the class is an important part of your academic career; take it seriously and you will get out of it as much as you put into it. Enjoy!
I. Course Description:
Seminar for English Majors (3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: 12 upper-division semester credit hours in English or the equivalent. This undergraduate seminar, limited to English majors in their senior year, offers the opportunity to study a genre, author or period in English or American literature. Content varies with each instructor. May be repeated once for credit when topics vary.
(UTSA Undergraduate Catalog 278)
II. Conceptual Framework:
Since 1848, the border between the US and Mexico has posed a cultural enigma. Initially, it meant shifts in language use for official documents and a military presence as well as an influx of settlers from the north, the United States of America. Culturally, as Daniel Arreola asserts, the region is a zone set apart from the US and from Mexico. The literature of the people inhabiting this area reflects the diverse and complex society that has evolved over a period that spans over 150 years. The novels and films we will explore present the border reality from distinct subject positions of Mexico and the U.S.
Conceptually, the study of the border has been grounded in military or sociological theories of acculturation and assimilation. While these theories may be helpful in studying the social and even political realities of the border, the cultural production that these realities spur may be in need of new and different categories and frameworks of analysis.
Grounding our studies on the work of Chicana theorist Gloria Anzaldúa, we will explore how Border Theory informs the literary and filmic cultural production. Initially we will use historical and thematic approaches as we read the texts; we will conclude our discussions with a postmodern approach that blends cultural studies as well as literary and film analysis rooted in semiotics and postcolonial approaches. Looking at the culture, history, and current conditions of life for the subaltern subjects who reside in this contested terrain allows for a deeper analysis of the texts and films we will study. In all cases, the student’s lived experience will also inform the analysis. The use of testimonio and of life stories will frame the analysis as well. Writers whose work explores this lived reality such as Norma Alarcón, Sonia Saldivar-Hull and Emma Perez are central to the conceptual framework as we work with theories of Chicana Third Space Feminism and other Border theories.
III. Assigned Texts
Textbooks:We will read texts that explore the history and condition of borderlands culture. Asterisked texts *(Black) will be read by everyone; students will choose from those not asterisked (Red)for the Book Report. The Critical Works/Secondary Texts (in Blue) will be for the Reading Groups as assigned.Check the schedule for dates when these are due.
1 / *Gloria Anzaldúa / Borderlands la frontera/The New Mestiza2 / *Norma E. Cantú / Canícula: Snapshots of a Girlhood en la Frontera
3 / *Ana Castillo / The Guardians
4 / *Alicia Gaspar de Alba / Desert Blood
CHOOSE ONE FOR BOOK REVIEW/PRESENTATION
Santa Barraza / Artist of the Borderlands
Stella Pope Duarte / If I Die in Juárez
Montserrat Fontes / Dream of the Centaur
Montserrat Fontes / First Confession
Jovita González / Eve Raleigh / Caballero
Christine Granados / Brides and Sinners in El Chuco
Reyna Grande / Across a Hundred Mountains
Claudia Guadalupe Martínez / The Smell of Old Lady Perfume (Young Adult)
Américo Paredes / George Washington Gómez
Emma Pérez / Forgetting the Alamo
Barbara Renaud Gonzalez / Golondrina, Why Did You Leave Me?
Benjamin Alire Sáenz / In Perfect Light
Benjamin Alire Sáenz / Carry Me Like Water
Benjamin Alire Sáenz / Last Night I Sang to the Monster (Young Adult)
Benjamin Alire Sáenz / Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood (Young Adult)
Benjamin Alire Sáenz / Names on a Map
John Phillip Santos / Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation
John Phillip Santos / The Farthest Home Is in an Empire of Fire: A Tejano Elegy
Rolando Hinojosa Smith / The Valley
Arturo Islas / The Rain God
CHOOSE ONE FOR READING GROUP PRESENTATION
Garza Falcón / Gente Decente
Louis Mendoza / Historia: The Literary Making of Chicana/Chicano Literary History
Jaime Javier Rodriguez /
The Literatures of the U.S.-Mexican War: Narrative, Time, and Identity
Sonia Saldívar-Hull / Feminism on the BorderChela Sandoval / Methodology of the Oppressed
Eden Torres / Chicana Without Apology
REFERENCE BOOK / MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition)
Films: We will view A Touch of Evil,Señorita Extraviada, andLone Star
Web Sites: Students will be asked to visit various web sites for information and for reading materials. If the student uses electronic sites as a resource, they will cite them according to the guidelines found in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
Conference and Symposia:On September 16, 2010, the symposium on the Impact of the Mexican Revolution on Tejana Letters will be held at the downtown campus during out class time. We will meet there for class.
The Society for the Study of Gloria Anzaldúa will hold its international conference Nov 5-7, 2010. Our class will volunteer during the conference and will also attend the sessions and events.
IV. Goals and Objectives: Class participants will engage in reading, writing, and oral discussions and presentations. They will become knowledgeable about the literature of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands within the broader framework of U. S. and world literature. Class participants will demonstrate evidence of competencies in writing, speaking and using technology to gather and present information.
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Writtencompetencies:
Participants will write a minimum of 20 pages (or about 5,000 words) in formal Standard English--Participants can choose to write two mid-sizepapers (2500 words each) or one long paper (5000 words). Generally, a double spaced Times New Roman font page equals 250 words.
Participants will write a minimum of 5 informal pieces ( minimum 250 words each) in the form of reaction papers.
All papers will be turned in as a hard copy on the due date and electronically to be run through a program to check for plagiarism. If you do not understand what plagiarism entails, check with UTSA policy on plagiarism.
Oral competencies: Participants will present at least one 5-10 minute oral report as part of a reading group.Participants will present a book report on a novel of their choice.
Participants will engage in focused discussions and group work.
Computer competencies:
All papers must be turned in word-processed, double spaced, using Times New Roman, 12 size font, and be formatted according to guidelines found in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers..
Presentations must be in Power Point format. Photostory and postings on YouTube, Wiki, or other social networking may also be required.
Knowledge level competencies:Pass occasional quizzes with 80% accuracy. Re-tests are optional. Pass the Mid-term and Final Examinations (essay and short answer questions).
V. Grading Criteria: A MAXIMUM of 3 points can be earned through Extra Credit for participation in extra-curricular events—the FORM must be filed within one week of the event attended.
ASSIGNMENT / DUE DATE—CHECK THE SYLLABUS AND HANDOUTS FOR AS ASSIGNED DATES / POSSIBLE POINTSBook Review / As assigned / 10
Group Report / As assigned / 10
5 Short Informal Papers / As assigned / 10
FormalPaper(s): Two 10-page OR One 20-page paper) / October / December 1 / 10 points each OR
20 points
Quizzes / As assigned / 10
Mid-Term Examination / October / 20
Final Examination / December / 20
Extra Credit / ½ point for each extracurricular activity attended / No More than 3 points
TOTAL 100
VI. Instructional Activities:
A poem will introduce each week’s class. Lectures will introduce each of the discussions on the novels and films. During the class, participants will be expected to participate in collaborative learning activities and will experience a variety of pedagogical approaches including short writings, impromptu presentations (roll call), group discussions, and attendance at relevant community and university events. Students will engage in a variety of learning activities including: reading response journals, mid-term and final exam, occasional quizzes, presentations, and class discussions.
A FINAL PORTFOLIO containing all quizzes, exams, papers, presentation forms, extra credit forms, and other sundry paperwork must be submitted on the day the final is scheduled. In accordance with departmental policy the professor will keep all portfolios for a year. The Final Paper will be submitted for blind review by the Academic Policy and Procedures Committee for evaluation. So keep all returned work for submission on the day of the final examination.
VII. Other Policies and Class Information
Learning Resources:Visit the “Tomás Rivera Center for Student Success” ( for help on editing and proofreading your papers, or for tips on research and preparing bibliographies.
- Visit the Writing Center for similar assistance.
- Contact the reference librarians at the John Peace Library ( for assistance in using the electronic databases for research purposes. Tara Schmidt is the discipline bibliographer who assists students doing research for English courses.
- Visit the Student Open Lab at MB 1.410 for computer and software needs
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Late Work
- Up to 10 points/day will be deducted for late papers (i.e. if you turn in your second medium length paper a day late, and your grade is a B+, it will automatically drop to a C+, if it is 2 days late, it becomes a D+). Of course, if there is a crisis or an emergency, this policy can be appealed. Please contact the Professor with any questions or reasonable extension requests.
- Presentations: Group or Individual Presentations will follow the guidelines in the Handout and must be presented on the date scheduled.
Students with Disabilities:
- Students with disabilities must let the instructor know as soon as possible (no later than the census date) of any special needs and must be registered with the Office of Disability Services. See the most recent Student Handbook for details or call 210-458-4011 (UTSA information) and ask for the current phone number and office location. See below for web site link for more information.
Notes on Classroom Etiquette:
- Please silence your cell phones and use laptops ONLY for class purposes.
- Disorderly conduct—including but not limited to disruptive talking or behavior, sleeping, tardiness, engagement in activities not related to class, cheating, plagiarism, maliciously arguing with peers or instructor, and defiance in carrying out instructions related to classroom activities—will be reprimanded, and could result in minimally an appropriate reduction of the participation grade or, in extreme instances, removal from the class and the university.
Links to relevant web sites:
Students with disabilities:
or
For assistance with writing:
Library resources: ( Tara Schmidt is the discipline bibliographer who assists students doing research for English courses.
For computer and software needs:
CLASS EVALUATIONS
Evaluations of the class will be available online from November 18 through December 5.
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