Email: vchavez75@yahoo.com
Website: Blackboard and www.oocities.org/vchavez75
voicemail: 760.744.1154 x5386
1. This course will provide a comprehensive survey on the historical contributions of Mexican-Americans in the United States since the Age of Discovery to the Modern Era. The course will take a thematic and comparative approach to the history of the United States and Mexico. In addition, it will focus on the economic, political, and social development of the American Southwest.
2. Moreover, we will attempt to ask ourselves if it is appropriate to consider the past when developing current policy. To evaluate this complex issue we must search the past, digest its lessons, and continue to redefine its relationship to the present and future. Consequently, this course will embrace an "interactive approach" that will require your input discussion! Always keep the following in mind: should the "past" be used to forge current policy?
3. A tertiary theme is to develop effective written and oral communication skills through the study of history. Therefore, the course requirements are tailored to secure this goal.
Five types of readings are required:
1. Meier & Rivera's Mexican Americans/American Mexicans
2. Rodolfo Jacobo's Los Braceros
3. General survey on United States and Mexican History (optional)
4. Selected Class Handouts
5. Websites as assigned. Please review the class website before attending all class meetings
6. www.digitalhistory.uh.edu
Recommended readings: For those who will eliminate any gaps in our readings, I recommend the following: Occupied America, by Rudy Acuna and Growing Up Latino, edited by Augenbraum.
To encourage participation and award independent effort the "Socratic" approach towards teaching will be used. With the aid of the attendance roster, I will call upon individuals to discuss or evaluate points made during class or outside assignments.
This is primarily a lecture/discussioncourse, consequently it behooves you to attend class regularly and engage in aggressive note taking. This will be most important when preparing for examinations. If you are absent, you will be responsible for the materials missed in class. I will be more than happy to assist you, but in the final analysis, you are solely responsible for the subject matter. Please access the course website for updates. I will seriously consider dropping students who accumulate more than three hours of unexcused absences.
Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss options with me as soon as possible and no later than the third week of the semester.
1. Participation (Socrates--10points)
2. One two-page lecture critique (20 points) to be discussed in class. Click here for instructions on lecture critique
3. One two-page video critique (20 points) to be discussed in class. Clck here for instructions on the video.
4. Overall class discussion and attendance; to include a "sharing" of your critiques (30 points)
5. One two-page critique on Los Braceros (20 points) due by the 16th week. Please click here for instructions on the book critique.
6. XTRA CREDIT: One-three page book critique (MLA format) on The Decline of the Californios by Leonard Pitt
Note: No "make-ups" will be allowed unless you have a verifiable emergency. Moreover, please keep a running tally of your points and keep copies of all assignments.
GRADES: The following percentages of the total points will determine your final grade:
90% or above = A
80% -89% = B
70% -79% = C
60%-69% = D
59% or less =F
FINAL NOTES:
a. You must complete all required assignments and score a minimum of 70% of the points to
successfully complete the course with a "C."
b. To provide for flexibility and creativity I reserve the right to make adjustments on the grading scheme and topical themes in this course.You have only one semester after the final grade is issued to contest it.
c. Conduct: It is imperative that everyone conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner. Please arrive on time and turn off your beepers & cellphones Please, observe appropriate classroom etiquette.