Immigration --Sociology 339
Spring 2018
Instructor: Tim Dunn
Office: Fulton Hall 270
Office Hours: MWF 11:00-11:55, T/Th 9:45-10:55, & By Appointment
Web Page (& class links):
Phone & Email & Mailbox:410-543-6432; 288 Fulton Hall, Sociology Dept. office
Texts / Readings:
- Portes, Alejandro and Ruben G. Rumbaut. 2014Immigrant America: A Portrait. Berkeley: University of California Press. 4thedition.
- Grande, Reyna. 2012 The Distance Between Us. New York: Washington Square Press.
- Miller, Todd. 2014 Border Patrol Nation: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Homeland Security. San Francisco: City Lights.
- Miller, Todd 2017 Storming the Wall: Climate Change, Migration, and Homeland Security. San Francisco: City Lights.
- various other assigned readings linked on my web site.
I. Course Overview and Objectives: This course will prepare you to be more well-informed on a vital topic during an era of great change in the make-up of the US population. Historically, the United States is a nation of immigrants and recent decades have seen a resurgence of immigration, with the majority now coming from the western hemisphere and a quartercoming from Asia. Immigration gets a lot of attention politically and is a key facet of wider process of globalization -- its visible human face – as well as a primary factor ingrowth of the US population.
This course is an in-depth examination of international migration to the US, mainly from the Western Hemisphere, particularly Mexico, though we will also consider migration from other world regions as well. We will examine explanations for this migration, key features of it (e.g., who comes, how, and where they locate), economic impacts and causes, various aspects of the immigrant adaptation and incorporation into the US (family, education, religion, social services, etc.), and government policy. We will focus mainly on broader social factors influencing individuals, using a “sociological imagination.”
In terms of format, the class will be a mix of lectures, group discussion, occasional video clips, and possible guest speakers to create a structured but also interactive learning experiencethat welcomes adiversity of views, informed by sociological concepts and research (class readings). A variety of class materials will be posted on my faculty web page ( ), including a few assigned readings and lecture outlines (helpful in test preparation). Workload: An average of 6-8 hours/week outside of class, for a 4-credit class.
This course fits with the university’s mission: “SU’s highest purpose is to empower our students with the knowledge, skills, and core values that contribute toactive citizenship, gainful employment, and life-long learning and in a democratic society and interdependent world” (SU Catalogue, 2016-2018: pg. 7). Moreover, the course will incorporate key SU values including community(caring, civility, learn through interaction), diversity(global, society, and individual differences and equal opportunity) and civic engagement (seek to improve area quality of life). More specifically, the course objectives are: toprovide you with a deeper understanding of the complex issue of immigration, to enhance your ability to discuss and debate relevant information, and to develop your critical thinking skills, especially to look beyond "common sense" explanations and surface appearances. The larger objective is that you develop the tools to be an informed and engaged citizen, and to be prepared for rewarding employment.
II. Course Requirements:
A. 3 Readings Papers (RP’s): Write 3 papers,each on an assigned class topic -- 1-2 foreach of first 2 test-units, and 1 for 3rd test unit, if you’ve not done 3 papers yet. Papers are due the final dayof a topic.
Format: Length 5-6 pages, depending on readings. 2 parts (below):
1. Main Ideas and Themes–4-5 pages. Explain / describe several details, issues or key ideas from at least 4 assigned readings(each chapter = 1 rdg.)one of which must be the PortesRumbauttextbook..No introduction or conclusion is necessary, nor is a general overview or summary.Be selective and detailed; focus on specific information & ideas in rdgs.that you think are interesting or important. Do not quote text extensively or frequently; use your own words (i.e., paraphrase). Also, provide at least 1 citation of assigned rdg. per paragraph-- author & page # in parentheses, e.g., “(Portes and Rumbaut, 27).”
Also, you must briefly (2-3 sentences) in part 1:
a. Make at least1 connection between 2 or more readings (e.g., compare or contrast) [Integration]
b. Provide 1 outside exampleof some idea or issue from rdgs. [Application]
2. Critical Reflection –1page. Use a heading for this section. Tell me what you think(your views) about the readings and the issues that you’ve just discussed in part 1. You have a lot of freedom here. Write this in 1st person.
-- No Papers may be written on the first topic(Intro & Overview); Readings Notes only on this one.
B. 6 Readings Note Sheets(for non-Rdg. Paper topics, minus 1):Length 3pages, due thedue last day for a topic. You need notes on main ideas from at least 3 assigned readings (1 must bePortesRumbaut text book), for topics on which you’re not writing a paper (except 1 – there are 10 topics & you write something on 9 [6 Rdgs. Notes + 3Rdgs. Papers]. You have wide leeway on the format, they do not have to be cover everything you read, and the format can be quite informal (e.g., with abbreviations, not have complete sentences, etc.). You must have a page number and author for each note entry / main point). This will greatly aid group discussion & test prep.
C. Class Participation. You are expected to attend each class, to participate in discussions, and to pay attention and generally be involved. You will lead a small group or class discussion for part of 3 classes, on 3 different topics (on last day of a topic), which should be on the same topics for which you write Rdgs. Papers. This presumes your attendance and familiarity with the readings. Attendance Policy: You are required to attend all classes. Failure to attend will negatively affect your grade. I won’t take attendance every class period, but many.
D. 2 Short papers – 1 on Family Immgn. History (2 pages) and 1 on a Campus Cultural Event (or a community service)(1-1½pgs.): For the Fam. History paper-- Briefly describe and summarize the immigration history of your family or someone else’s you know (interview them), and briefly connect it to something specific from class material. For the Cultural Event – give a few detail and summarize what you learned from the event (lecture, movie, performance, or volunteer service activity, etc.), and then briefly relate it to something specific from class (be creative).One is due March 30, the other by May 11 (you chose which). Cult. Event paper due within 3 weeks of event.
E. Research and Application Paper --Length5pages, Due May 14 (last day of class), but can be turned in earlier. A brief topic statement is due April 20 -- something related to course materials / topics and state why you’re interested. Additional specific guidelines for this paper will be provided in early-mid April.
F. 3 Tests. The tests will consist of multiple-choice and essay questions, each covering roughly 1/3 of the course materials.The last exam will have a small cumulative section.
III. Grade Calculation & Scale:
A. 3 Readings Papers @ 25 points each 75 points (30% of total class points)
B. 6 Notes Sheets @ 3 pts each+1 for doing all 619pts. ( 8%)
C. Disc. Leading & Class Participation 25 pts. (10%)
D. 2 Short papers--Family Immgn History (10) & Cultural Event (5)15 pts. ( 6%)
E. Research & Application Paper (20) & Topic statement (2)22 pts. ( 9%)
F. 3 tests (#1-- 28 pts, #2--34 pts, #3--32pts)94 pts. (38%)
Total 250 points
Grade Scale:
A 90-100%225-250 pts.
B 80-89%200-224 pts.
C70-79%175-199 pts.
D60-69%150-174 pts.
F 59% & below149 pts. & below
V. Miscellaneous
Extra Credit: You may do up to 1 extra cultural event / volunteer service activity papers for 5points . Same format as above, III.D. Or you may do a 7thRdgs Notes for 3 points, due when topic is covered. May 11is last day to turn in.
Make-up Policy: No make-ups or extensions for exams and papers, UNLESS you face extraordinary circumstances (illness, family problems, etc.) or have a previously scheduled university activity. You must notify me ASAP.
Writing Help -- University Writing Center–Room 260 Guerrieri Academic Commons (GAC),410-543-6332 (x36332) .
Studying Help and other assistance – Center for Student Achievement – Room 270 Guerrieri Academic Commons (GAC),410-677-4865 (x74865)
Other Help—Student Counseling Center.Guerrieri University Center (GUC) Room 263. (410) 543-6070
Please feel free to contact me outside of class. I am on campus in my office (FH 270) quite a bit beyond office hrs. You can call me or contact me via email. It may take me up to 24 hours to reply to emails, generally longer on weekends.
Respectful Classroom --I expect us all to treat each other with respect and civility in class; it is fine to disagree on issues, but not to be disagreeable / rude. Also, please silence your cell phones and keep texting, screen watching, etc. to minimum.
Tentative Schedule (subject to change)
Jan. 31, Feb. 2, 5, 7Intro & OverviewPortes & Rumbaut, Chapter 1
Grande, Prologue & Chs. 1&2 (p. 2-22)
Miller BPN (2014), Ch. 1
Miller STW (2017), Ch 1
Feb.9, 12, 14, 16Theories & ExplanationsPortes & Rumbaut, Ch. 2
Grande: Chs. 3-11 (p. 23-83)
Miller BPN, Ch. 2
Miller STW, Ch 2
Feb. 19, 21, 23, 26Coming and Arriving HerePortesRumbaut, Ch. 3
Grande, Chs. 12-20 (p. 84-159)
Miller BPN, Chs. 4, 5
Miller STW, Ch. 3
Feb. 28Test 1
March 2, 5, 7, 9Immigrant FamiliesPortesRumbaut: Ch. 7
Grande, Book 2, Prologue-Ch. 8 (p. 163-214)
Web Rdg. – Jonas & Rodriguez
March12, 14, 16Education & LanguagePortes & Rumbaut Ch. 6
Grande: Ch.9-Epilogue (p. 215-322)
Web Rdg: To Be Announced (TBA)
March 19-23SPRING BREAK
March 26, 28, 30, April 2 Immigrationthe EconomyPortesRumbaut, Ch. 4
Miller STW, Ch 4
3 Web Rdgs.: MD Commission on Immigration, & TBA
[March 30 1st Short paper due—Cultural Event or FamImmgn. Hist.]
April 4, 6, 9, 11Immigrant Health & CrimeMiller BPN, Chs. 3& 6
Miller STW, Ch 5
3-4Web Rdgs. -- TBA
April 13Test 2
April 16, 18, 20, 23 Religion & Social ServicesPortesRumbaut, Ch. 8
Miller STW, Ch. 6
2 Web Rdg: Dunn et al.; Hondagneu-Sotelo
April 20 Topic Statement due for Research & Application Paper
April25, 27, 30, Immigrant Ethnic Politics& Rights DebatesPortes & Rumbaut, Ch. 5
Miller BPN, Ch. 9, 10
2 Web Rdg.:Dunn; 1 TBA
May 2, 4, 6, 9Immigration Policy PortesRumbaut, Ch. 9 (brief)
Miller BPN, Chs. 8, 11; Miller, STW, CH’s 7 & 8
1-2 Web Rdg.:TBA
May 112nd Short Paper due (Cultural Event or Fam. Immgn. Hist.) & Catch-up & Research paper Q&A
May 14Research & Application Paper Due, & Wrap-up/Review for Test 3
May 23, 10:45-1:15Exam 3 / Final Exam