Synopsis:
In this course, we will examine a variety of texts and films that depict various issues regarding people called Hispanic in the United States. Although we will begin by examining issues relating to Mexican Americans, we will move to a much broader conception of this fastest growing segment of US society. Thus we will also examine texts and issues relating to Dominicans, Cuban Americans and Nuyoricans (Puerto Ricans in the US and New York especially). While we will find various similarities among these texts and issues, we will also find substantial differences. We will focus on exilic memory as a main theme. We will read the following Latina/o texts in a comparative manner, examining both to what degree this theme is present, repeated, and changed in each text, as well as what these comparisons reveal about "ethnicity" in US literature and cultural/political discourse.

Required Texts (Available at The Book Stop, 931 16th Street):


Anzaldua, Gloria. Borderlands/La Frontera
Diaz, Junot. Drown
Garcia, Cristina. The Aguero Sisters
Morales, Alejando. Rag Doll Plagues
Obejas, Achy. Memory Mambo
Rivera, Edward. Family Installments
Rodriguez, Luis. Always Running
Santiago, Esmeralda. America's Dream
Valdez, Luis. Zoot Suit

Weekly Syllabus (note reading assignments are to be completed by the first day of class for which the specific text is assigned):

8/26 Intro
8/28 Lecture on Chicanismo


8/31 Valdez
9/2 Valdez
9/4 Valdez


9/7 No Classes
9/9 Rodriguez
9/11 Rodriguez


9/14 Rodriguez
Response Paper due
9/16 Morales
9/18 Morales


9/21 film
9/23 film
9/25 film


9/28 Morales
9/30 Morales
10/2 Morales


10/5 Anzaldua
10/7 Anzaldua
10/9 Anzaldua


10/12 Anzaldua
10/14 Anzaldua
10/16 Test


10/19 Rivera
10/21 Rivera
10/23 Rivera


10/26 Rivera
10/28 Santiago
10/30 Santiago


11/3 Santiago
11/5 Santiago
Response Paper due
11/7 Garcia


11/9 Garcia
11/11 Garcia
11/13 Garcia


11/16 Obejas
11/18 Obejas
11/20 Obejas


11/23 Diaz
11/25 Diaz
Term Paper due
11/27 No Classes


11/30 Diaz
12/2 Diaz
12/4 Conclusion


Final Exam

Notice: some of these texts address issues of sexuality and use contemporary language that some individuals may find offensive. Students are strongly advised to examine the texts when preparing to purchase them at the bookstore.

Assignments:
Term Paper will be 10 page research paper concentrating on one of the assigned class texts. Papers will cite at least five sources in addition to the primary text. Encyclopedias and dictionaries, whether bound, on-line, or on CD (while helpful and viable sources of information) will not count toward the five source citation requirement. Additionally, all sources of information will be cited using MLA format and MLA format only. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment.

Response Papers will be four to five pages and will address at least two of the books immediately preceding the due date. All citations of the text must include page numbers and be in MLA format.

Grading:
Tests: 20% each
Response Papers: 10% each
Term Paper: 30%
Participation: 10%

Participation grades will be determined as follows:
Active participation and unfailing attendance: 10%
Frequent participation and constant attendance: 9%
Occasional participation and good attendance: 8%
Pleasant demeanor and quiet, persistent presence: 7%
Scowling demeanor and spotty attendance: 6%
Talking to neighbors, reading newspaper: 5%
Belching in class, producing odors: 4%
Sickness in class, bleeding on floor: 3%
Dragging intestines, bones poking through skin: 2%
Death in class: 1%
Face and name utter mystery to Professor: 0%

Grading Percentages:
Letter grade Percentage Final Grade Percentages:
A+ 100 A 90 - 100%
A 95 B 80 - 89.9%
A- 92 C 70 - 79.9%
B+ 88 D 60 - 69.9%
B 85 F below 60%
B- 82
C+ 78
C 75
etc.


Que les vaya bien.