MEXICO PROGRAM
Summer 2005
KENTUCKY INSTITUTE
FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
COURSE SYLLABUS OUTLINE
COURSE NUMBER: ENG 330-75
CREDIT HOURS: 3
PROFESSOR ANN NEELON
I.
COURSE TITLE: SPECIAL TOPICS: AZTLAN: MEXICAN-AMERICAN
WRITERS IN DIALOGUE WITH THE MOTHERLAND
II.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: In this course, we will read poetry, fiction, drama
and non-fiction written by Mexican Americans. We will study the evolution of
the Chicano literary voice from actos produced in the fields by migrant farm
workers to highly anthologized works of art in a sophisticated literary market.
III.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this course is to examine the relationship MexicanAmerican writers have with Aztlan, their Aztec homeland.
IV.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
--To read and analyze literary works written by Mexican Americans
--To investigate the roots of Chicano literature in Mexico
--To relate Chicano literary texts to the history, sociology and politics of the
Chicano movement in the United States
--To integrate Chicano literature with the Mexican scene via field trips in Morelia
--To examine the current relationship of Mexican-Americans with Mexico
V.
CONTENT OUTLINE: We will investigate the role of the following in shaping
Chicano literature: Mexican oral tradition; Mexican folk festivals and street
theater; Mexican religion (both ancient and modern); Mexican historical figures;
and Mexican social and political concepts.
VI.
INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES: Students will take frequent quizzes on
reading material; write a weekly position paper integrating commentary on their
experiences in Morelia with analysis of course reading material; and take a final
exam.
VII.
FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: Students are required to participate in
excursions to Uruapan, Patzcuaro, Santa Clara del Cobre, Janitzio and Quiroga,
and in scheduled visits to museums and sites of historical and cultural interest in
Morelia.
VIII.
RESOURCES: Museums and sites of historical and cultural interest in Morelia
and surrounding villages.
IX.
GRADING PROCEDURES: Criteria for grading include: quiz average, grades
on position papers, grade on final exam, class attendance, the level of engagement
in class discussion, effort and progress.
Here is a rough schema for grading in this course:
Attendance and class participation:
25%
Quiz average
15%
Position Papers
40%
Final Exam
20%
X.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is required and expected. Any absence
for which I do not receive official documentation is an unexcused absence. For
each unexcused absence beyond the first, your grade will be lowered 5 points. If
you miss more than 4 classes, you will fail the course.
XI.
TEXT AND REFERENCES:
Mirrors Beneath the Earth: Short Fiction by Chicano Writers, edited by Ray
Gonzalez, Curbstone Press, $14.95 paperback, ISBN # 1-880684-02-0
Paper Dance: 55 Latino Poets, edited by Victor Hernandez Cruz, Leroy V.
Quintana and Virgil Suarez, $13.95 paperback, ISBN # 0-089255-201-8
Luis Valdez Early Works: Actos, Bernabe and Pensamiento Serpentino by Luis
Valdez, $12.00 paperback, ISBN # 0-76782-598-5
The Aztec Love God by Tony Diaz, Fiction Collective 2, $12.95 paperback,
ISBN # 1-57366-036-1
Several additional shorter readings will also be used. Students will purchase this
set of readings when classes begin, in Morelia, for a copying fee of approximately
$3.00 U.S.
XII.
PREREQUISITES: ENG 101 and ENG 102
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE: ONCE WE GET TO MORELIA, THIS SCHEDULE WILL BE
MODIFIED SO THAT WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY
TO ENHANCE OUR STUDY OF CHICANO LITERATURE OUTSIDE THE
CLASSROOM.
May 30
Introduction to Chicano Literature
Gloria Anzaldua, "The Homeland, Aztlan/El Otro Mexico" (xerox)
Rudolfo Anaya, "Aztlan: A Homeland Without Boundaries" (xerox)
Fernando Penalosa, "Toward an Operational Definition of Mexican
American" (xerox)
Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales, from "I am Joaquin" (xerox)
Francisco X. Alarcon, "Shame" (PD p. 3)
May 31
Language in the Borderland
Ana Castillo, "Subtitles" (MBTE, pp. 166-175)
Alurista, "when raza?," "must be the season of the witch" and "mis ojos
hinchados," (xerox)
Tony Burciaga, "Schooldaze," "Stammerred Dreams," (xerox)
Gina Valdez, "English con Salsa" and "Where You From" (PD, 203-205)
Naomi Quinonex, "Post-Colonial Contemplations" (PD, 148-150)
June 1
Teatro Campesino
Jorge Huerta, "Chicano Teatro: A Background" (xerox)
Actos
Luis Valdez, Luiz Valdez Early Works: Actos
June 2
Teatro Campesino (continued)
Luis Valdez, Luis Valdez Early Works: Actos
Zoot Suit (video)
June 3
The Pachuco Figure in Poetry
Octavio Paz, "The Pachuco and Other Extremes" (xerox)
Jimmy Santiago Baca, "from Poem VI," and "from Poem XXIII", (PD, pp.
9-11)
Tino Villanueva, "Pachuco Remembered" (xerox)
June 6
The Pachuco Figure in Fiction
"La Luz" by Jack Lopez (MBTH, pp. 176-190)
"Fireworks" by Danny Romero (MBTH, pp. 243-249)
June 7
La Llorona and Other Ghost Stories
Alicia Gaspar de Alba, "The Last Rite" (MBTE, pp. 312-320)
David Unger, "Night in Oaxaca," (PD, 200)
Alejandro Murguia, "A Subtle Plague" (MBTE, pp. 321-325)
Kathleen Alcala, "Mrs Vargas and the Dead Naturalist" (MBTE, pp.
293-300)
June 8
Aztec/Maya Myth
Alma Luz Villanueva, "People of the Dog" (MBTE, pp. 55-58)
Sandra Cisneros, "Tepeyac" (MBTE, pp. 52-58)
Ray Gonzalez, "A Recurring Dream of the Snakes as a Gift for My
Aching Shoulder" (PD, pp. 73-75)
Popol Vuh (video)
June 9
Mexican Folk Influences
Corridos (xerox)
Alexanna Padilla Heinnemann, "Salvation" (MBTE, pp. 288-292)
Diana Garcia, "La Curandera" (PD, pp. 57-58)
Guy Garcia, "Day of the Dead" (PD, p. 60)
June 10
Mexican History
Dagoberto Gib, "The Death Mask of Pancho Villa" (MBTE, pp. 13-21)
Ray Gonzalez, "The Ghost of John Wayne" (MBTE, pp. 83-98)
E. A. Mares, "Discourse of the Severed Head of Joaquin Murieta" (PD,
pp. 103-105
June 13
Mexican Catholicism
Rich Yanez, "Agua Bendita (Holy Water)" (MBTE, pp. 220-225)
Denise Chavez, "Saints" (MBTE, pp. 38-51)
Leroy V. Quintana, "The Rosary" (MBTE, pp. 59-66)
Naomi, Quinonez, "Ay Que Maria Felix (or Maria Was No Virgin) (PD,
147-148)
Jose Antonio Burciaga, Litanies (xerox)
June 14
Mexican Catholicism (continued)
June 16
Chicano Family
Jose Antonio Burciaga, "The Door" (MBTE, pp. 250-255)
Benjamin Alire Saenz, "Uncles (Who Lie Still and Perfect)" (PD, 184188)
Rosemary Catacalos, "Women Talk of Flowers at Dusk" (PD, pp. 21-22)
Luis J. Rodriquez, "They Come to Dance," "Bethlehem No More" and
"Deathwatch" (PD, pp. 168-177)
Alberto Alvaro Rios, "Combing My Hair in the Hall (PD, pp. 156-157)
June 17
Chicano Labor
Diana Garcia, "When Living Was a Labor Camp Called Montgomery,"
(PD, 58-59)
Rafael Zapeda, "Trans Pacific" (PD, pp. 225-226)
Tino Villanueva, "Scene from the Movie GIANT" and "Haciendo Apenas
La Recoleccion" (PD, pp. 221-223)
Alma Luz Villanueva, "An Act of Creation," (PD, pp. 219-220)
Leroy V. Quintana, "Don Chuey" (PD, p. 152)
Benjamin Alire Saenz, "Alligator Park" (MBTE, pp. 113-139)
June 20
The New Chicano Novel
Tony Diaz, The Aztec Love God, pp. 1-84
June 21
The New Chicano Novel (continued)
Tony Diaz, The Aztec Love God, pp. 85-156
June 23
Catch-Up and Review
June 27
Final Exam