Introduction to  Latino History  LATS L102 Spring Semester 2007 Classroom: Sycamore 001 Hours: 2:30-3:45 PM  Mon. Wed. Dr. Antonio de la Cova Office: Sycamore Hall 039 Hours: 4:00-5:00 PM  M-W Phone: 855-4745

COURSE OBJECTIVES: A general inquiry into the historical and cultural heritage of Latino/as in the United States. Through readings and discussions of text books, this course examines the varied histories of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and other Latin American peoples in the U.S., with a perspective on convergence and congruencies along political and cultural lines. Students will develop an understanding of the impact and the roles played by Latino/as in the formation and development of U.S. society. Students will also be able to link Latino/a history with the contemporary experiences of this population.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: There will be Power Point lectures, video analysis, and readings that require taking notes. Students are expected to use logical arguments sustained with evidence in class discussions and to improve their reading, writing, analytical, and speaking skills. The IU Writing Tutorial Services can provide Discipline- and Course-Specific Tutoring if needed, which includes appropriate citation styles.

READINGS: You are expected to read the assigned texts and other articles assigned weekly through Original Oncourse. After using Oncourse, don't forget to Log Out, as it will record your session. Questions regarding the texts and articles will appear on the exams and essay quizzes. The required texts are:

Kal Wagenheim and Olga Jimenez de Wagenheim. The Puerto Ricans: A Documentary History. Markus Wiener Publishers (2002) ISBN: 1-55876-291-4
Matt Meier and Feliciano Ribera. Mexican Americans/American Mexicans. Hill and Wang (1993) ISBN: 0-8090-1559-5
Eire, Carlos. Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy. Free Press (2003) ISBN: 0743246411

LATINO STUDIES RESOURCES WEBSITE:  http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/  Contains topics and data related to this course.

GRADING: Your grade will consist of a Mid-Term Exam (30%), a Second Exam (30%), two out of three Oncourse essay quizzes (15% each), and participation and attendance (10%). Missing eight classes (25% of the course) will further drop you another letter grade. The exams will cover material from the readings, lectures and presentations. There is no handout study guide. You are responsible for your own class lecture notes. Oncourse essay quizzes online will be held Sunday nights, 10 PM to Midnight.

(100-92=A), (91.9-90=A-), (89.9-88=B+), (87.9-82=B), (81.9-80= B-), (79.9-78=C+), (77.9-72=C), (71.9-70=C-), (69.9-68=D+), (67.9-62=D), (61.9-60=D-), (Below 59.9= F).

MAKE-UP EXAMS: It will only be given if you have a valid physician's excuse or a verified family emergency. Makeups are different and considerably more difficult than the regularly scheduled test.

MISCONDUCT: Plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with according to the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.

Please contact me the first week of classes if you have special learning needs. The IU Adaptive Technology Center can also assist you.

CLASSES        LECTURE TOPICS                           ASSIGNED READINGS

Jan. 8-10      Overview of the course                   Exam and study guide
               Pre-Columbian Mexico & Caribbean         Meier & Ribera, 3-26.

Jan. 15-17     Spanish conquest and colonization        Meier & Ribera, 27-52.                        
               Film: Héroes Hispanos (segment)          Meier & Ribera, 53-77.

Jan. 22-24     Tejanos, Californios, Nuevomexicanos     Meier & Ribera, 78-102.
               Manifest Destiny                         Meier & Ribera, 103-130.

Jan. 29-31     The Clash of Eagles                      Meier & Ribera, 131-158.
               Latinos in the Civil War                 Meier & Ribera, 159-184.

Feb. 5-7       St. Augustine and Spanish Florida        Meier & Ribera, 185-217.
               Key West & Tampa cigar industry          Meier & Ribera, 218-248.

Feb. 12-14     Caribbean colonies                       Meier & Ribera, 249-273.
               P.R. Nationalism                         Wagenheim, ix-32.

Feb. 19-21     Associated Free State                    Wagenheim, 33-70.
               Film: Mexican Americans (segment)        Wagenheim, 71-106.

Feb. 26        Mexican Revolution Refugees              Wagenheim, 107-142.  
Feb. 28        Mid-term Exam

March 5-7      Zoot-Suit Generation                     Wagenheim, 143-182.
               The Bracero Program                      Wagenheim, 183-220.

March 10-18    Spring Recess

March 19-21    Cuban Refugee Program (1961-80)          Wagenheim, 221-257.
               Film: Cuban Americans (segment)          Wagenheim, 258-294.

March 26-28    Dominican Diaspora                       Wagenheim, 295-327.
               Nuyoricans and colonial status           Eire, 1-42.

April 2-4      The Mariel Boatlift of 1980              Eire, 43-82.
               The Rafter crisis of 1994                Eire, 83-131.

April 9-11     Central American Refugees                Eire, 132-167.
                                                        Eire, 168-205.
             
April 16-18    Latino culture and society               Eire, 206-248.
               Latino literature                        Eire, 249-297.

April 23-25    Political divergence                     Eire, 298-337.
               The porous border                        Eire, 338-383.

May            Second Exam to be announced