SYLLABUS—Fall 2008 English 4973. 001

Senior Seminar: Literature and Film of the U. S. Mexican Borderlands

University of Texas at San Antonio—College of Liberal and Fine Arts

Prof. Norma E. Cantú Department of English

E-mail

Office Hours:M 2-4 p.m. or by appointment

Office: MB 2.306Telephone: 210-458-5134 fax: 458-5366

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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. 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.

III. Assigned Texts

Textbooks:We will read texts that explore the history and condition of borderlands culture. Asterisked texts * (1-6) will be read by everyone; students will choose form those not asterisked (7-15),for the Book Report. The Critical Works/Secondary Texts will be for the Reading Groups as assigned.

1 / *Gloria Anzaldúa / Borderlands la frontera/The New Mestiza
2 / *Elena Zamora O’Shea / El Mesquite
3 / Américo Paredes / George Washington Gómez
4 / *Jovita González / Eve Raleigh / Caballero
5 / *Norma E. Cantú / Canícula: Snapshots of a Girlhood en la Frontera
6 / *Ana Castillo / The Guardians
7 / Benjamin Alire Saenz / In Perfect Light
8 / *Alicia Gaspar de Alba / Desert Blood
9 / Montserrat Fontes / Dream of the Centaur
10 / Montserrat Fontes / First Confession
11 / Santa Barraza / Artist of the Borderlands
12 / Garza Falcón / Gente Decente
13 / Chela Sandoval / Methodology of the Oppressed
14 / Sonia Saldívar-Hull / Feminism on the Border
15 / Louis Mendoza / Historia: The Literary Making of Chicana/Chicano Literary History

Films: We will view A Touch of Evil, Lonestar, and perhaps two Mexican films, Espaldas Mojadas and El Jardin del Eden if I can get them with subtitles. Also, Jimmy Mendiola's Pretty Vacant.

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 present information.

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Writtencompetencies:

Participants will write a minimum of 20 pages in formal standard English--Participants can choose to write two mid-size papers (7-8 pages) or one long paper (15-16 pages).

Participants will write a minimum of 5 informal pieces in the form of reaction papers.

Oral competencies: Participants will present at least one 5-10 minute oral report.Participants will answer at least twoRoll Call activities with a two-minute impromptu presentation of a selected text.

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 MLA (1999) Guidelines.

Presentations must be in Power Point format. Photostory and postings on YouTube or MySpace 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.

  • Final Examination: 20 %
  • Midterm Examination: 20 %
  • Quizzes 12 %
  • *Formal Papers: 20 %
(1 long paper (15-16 pages): 20% OR
2 medium length papers (7-8 pages):
10% each
  • 3 Short Papers 5 % Presentation/Book Report 10 %
  • Special Class Project (web site, 10%
service learning, field trips, etc
  • Minutes 3 %
TOTAL 100 %

VI. Instructional Activities:

Lectures will introduce each of the discussions on the novels. 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: Reader's journals, mid-term and final exam, occasional quizzes, presentations, and class discussions.

A final portfolio containing all quizzes, exams, papers, presentation forms and other sundry paperwork must be submitted before the professor assigns a final grade. So keep all returned work for submission on the day of the final examination.

VII. Other Policies and Class Information

Learning Resources:

  • Visit the “TomásRiveraCenter for Student Success” ( for help on editing and proofreading your papers, or for tips on research and preparing bibliographies.
  • Visit the ECPWritingCenter
  • Contact the reference librarians at the John Peace Library ( for assistance in using the electronic databases for research purposes.
  • 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 be 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.
  • Presentation Groups: Groups 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 asap and 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.

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, 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.

GUIDE FOR PREPARATION OF FORMAL PAPERS (EITHER TWO SHORT OR ONE LONG)

ADHERE TO THE PAGE LENGTH.

USE THE MLA STYLE SHEET—THAT MEANS NO TITLE PAGE AND THE WORKS CITED PAGE COUNTS AS PART OF THE PAPER.

USE THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST TO INSURE THAT YOU HAVE COVERED THE REQUIRED CONTENT FOR A FORMAL PAPER:

  1. Does the paper have an Introduction? A well-developed thesis? A Conclusion?
  2. Does the thesis clearly state the critical approach that I am using?
  3. Does the documentation style adhere to the MLA format? (IF you don’t have this information, check with the Writing Center or consult any writing handbook such as the one published by St. Martin’s Press and often used in composition classes. The standard format uses Times New Roman size 12 font, double spaced,)
  4. Have I used secondary sources? Have I documented the citations properly?
  5. Have I revised, carefully making sure every sentence adds to the development of my argument?
  6. Have I edited the drafts carefully making sure that I am following the standard formal English of academic writing?
  7. Is the paper neat and stapled or paper clipped together? Be sure that you have numbered the pages and that you include the Works Cited page.
  8. Make sure you are using MLA guidelines for documentation and paper format, i.e. no title page.
  9. DO NOT PUT THE PAPER IN A FOLDER OR BINDER.

REMINDER: If you choose TWO short formal papers (7-8 pages each), the first one is due on WEEK 8, (10-20-08) and the second one on WEEK 14, (12-1-08). If you chose to write ONE paper (15-16 pages) it is due WEEK 15, (12-8-08).

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