Course Information:
History 2328 CRN: 87228
Mexican American History
TH, 11:30-1:00, EDC A219
Spring 2016 / 3 Lecture 0 Lab
Contact Information:
Professor: Dr. Jesse Esparza
Office Phone: 713.313.4841
E-Mail: jesse.esparza2@hccs.edu
Office Hrs.: TH, 10:00-11:30, Library
Course Description:
While Mexican Americans make up one of the oldest and fastest growing ethno-racial groups in the U.S.,
their historical experiences as well as their significance to the building of the United States has been too
often ignored and undervalued by most historians. And lost within the current debate over immigration
which paints Mexican Americans as recent newcomers and aliens, the fact is that Latinos have been in
what is now the U.S. since before the arrival of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock. The purpose of this
class, therefore, is to provide students with a survey of Mexican American history from pre-Columbian
times to the present. Our main goal is to gain a better understanding of the history of Mexican Americans
within the broader scope of American history and society. After all, Latino History is American History.
The class is structured chronologically and will explore broader historical themes such as ethno-racial
formation, conquest and colonization, gender relations, environmental exploitation, cultural and identity
formation, as well as labor relations. Course objectives include: becoming familiar with the struggles and
controversies that shaped both Mexican American and American history and society; showing that the
history of Mexican Americans is a part of a continental history; acquiring a historical understanding of
cultural groups and issues; increasing awareness to the role of interpretation in the creation of history;
recognizing and distinguishing between primary and secondary sources; critically reading and analyzing
primary and secondary sources; and improving students’ ability to write and comment effectively.
Texts & Additional Readings:
Arnold De Leon and Richard Griswold del Castillo. North to Aztlan: A History of Mexican Americans in
the United States. 2nd Edition. Harland Davidson, Inc., 2012. ISBN-13: 978-0882952437.
(Required Text)
Anthony Macias. Mexican American Mojo: Popular Music, Dance, and Urban Culture in Los Angeles,
1935-1968. Duke University Press, 2008. ISBN- 978-0-8223-4322-6. (Required Reader)
Maylei Blackwell. Chicana Power! Contested Histories of Feminism in the Chicano Movement.
University of Texas Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-292-72690-1. (Required Reader)
Assignments:
There will be five assignments this semester; two unit exams, two book assignments, and one oral history
project. Each exam (Midterm and Final) will be divided into three sections including multiple choice, key
term, and essay. Scantrons and bluebooks are required for completion of all exams. There will also be
two book assignments based off of the required readers. Lastly there will be an oral history project
assigned to the class. Details on these assignments as well as their due dates are provided below in the
course calendar and on my Learning Web account.
Make-up Policy:
There are no make-ups for assignments except in the case of a college-excused absence, a medicalexcused absence, or by prior arrangement with the Professor. If that should occur, make-ups will be
given or will be due within 30 days of the original assignment due date on a day determined by the
Professor. Make-ups will not be the same as regular assignments. All absences require a note from a
health care professional or school official confirming date and time of visit/event in order for the absence
to count as excused.
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Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism or cheating on assignments will result in failure of those
assignments and class, and possibly grounds for suspension from the College. Do not cheat in class.
Plagiarism Statement:
Plagiarism is defined as the appropriation of passages, either word for word from the writing of another
and the incorporation of these as one’s own written work offered for credit. To avoid plagiarism, be sure
to paraphrase. If you quote directly from the text, use quotation marks and provide the proper citation
information; footnote or endnote. Be sure to include also the source from which you quoted in a Works
Cited or Bibliography page. Failure to do so will result in plagiarizing.
Attendance:
Regular, consistent attendance is an essential component of your overall success in this course. In a
lecture-driven course such as this, there is a direct correlation between success on assignments and
attendance. You are urged not to miss any class days. Attendance will be taken daily throughout the
semester. In case of illness or emergency, please notify the Professor.
Disabilities:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation
requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for
reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical,
learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact
the Disability Services Office at the college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to
provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Services Office. Students who are
requesting classroom and/or testing accommodations must first contact the DSS Office for assistance
prior to the beginning of each semester at 713.718.6164.
Course Calendar:
Week 1:
Tuesday, January 19th: Introduction to the Course
Thursday, January 21st: Interpretations of Mexican American History Discipline
Week 2:
Tuesday, January 26th: Early Mesoamerican Peoples, Chapter 1
Thursday, January 28th: Mesoamerican Empires and Civilizations, Chapter 1
Week 3:
Tuesday, February 2nd: European Invasion into Mesoamerica, 1492-1520, Chapter 2
Thursday, February 4th: Expansion & Colonization into the North, 1520-1800, Chapter 2
Week 4:
Tuesday, February 9th: The Mexican War for Independence, 1810-1824, Chapter 3
Thursday, February 11th: The Secession of Texas, 1835-1836, Chapter 3
Week 5:
Tuesday, February 16th: The Secession of Texas, 1835-1836, Chapter 3
Thursday, February 18th: The U.S. War with Mexico, 1845-1847, Chapter 4
Week 6:
Tuesday, February 23rd: The Status of Mexican Americans, 1848-1900, Chapter 4
Thursday, February 25th: Mexican Americans at the Turn of the 20th Century, Chapter 4
Week 7:
Tuesday, March 1st: Mexican Americans and the Mexican Revolution, Chapter 5
Thursday, March 3rd: Mexican Americans and World War I, Chapter 5
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Week 8:
Tuesday, March 8th: Mexican Americans and World War I, Chapter 5
Thursday, March 10th: Midterm Exam
Week 9:
Tuesday, March 15th: NO CLASS (SPRING VACATION)
Thursday, March 17th: NO CLASS (SPRING VACATION)
Week 10:
Tuesday, March 22nd: Mexican Americans and Roaring Twenties, 1920-1929, Chapter 5
Thursday, March 24th: Mexican Americans and Great Depression, 1929-1942, Chapter 6
Week 11:
Tuesday, March 29th: Mexican Americans and World War II, 1942-1945, Chapter 6
Thursday, March 31st: Mexican Americans and World War II, 1942-1945, Chapter 6
Week 12:
Tuesday, April 5th: Mexican Americans, the Cold War, and Civil Rights, 1945-1960, Chapter 7
Thursday, April 7th: Oral History Project: Interview Day
Week 13:
Tuesday, April 12th: The Chicano Movement, 1960-1975, Chapter 8
Thursday, April 14th: Book Assignment 1 Due (Chicana Power!)
Week 14:
Tuesday, April 19th: Mexican Americans and New Politics of the 1970s, Chapter 8
Thursday, April 21st: Book Assignment 2 Due (Mexican American Mojo)
Week 15:
Tuesday, April 26th: Mexican Americans and the 1980s: A Conservative Backlash, Chapter 8
Thursday, April 28th: Oral History Project: Profile Writing Day
Week 16:
Tuesday, May 3rd: Mexican Americans at End of 20th Century, 1990-2000, Chaps 8-9
Thursday, May 5th: Mexican Americans in the 21st Century, 2000-Present, Chaps 10-11
Week 17:
Tuesday, May 10th: Final Exam, 11:00am-1:00pm, EDC A219
Assignment Breakdown:
Midterm Exam:
Final Exam
Book Assignment 1:
Book Assignment 2:
Oral History Project:
Grading System:
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
1-59
I
Incomplete
W
Withdrawal
worth 100 pts.
worth 100 pts.
worth 100pts.
worth 100 pts.
worth 100pts.
Determining Grades:
Individual assignment grades are determined by way of an average. Your instructor divides the number
of points received on an individual assignment by the total number of points that assignment is worth.
Final grades, by extension, are determined by averaging out all individual assignment grades together.
That is, your instructor will add all individual assignments and then divide by five since there are five
total assignments.
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Disclaimer:
Be it understood that the dates of proposed lectures, assignments, and chapters can and often do change.
As such, the instructor reserves the right to deviate from the course calendar outlined in the syllabus so as
to accommodate the class. Be advised also that it is the intent of the instructor to use various forms of
audio/visual technology in the classroom to supplement and stimulate the lectures. Be aware, however,
that at times the information presented to the class can be considered highly sensitive and that viewer
discretion is advised.
Classroom Conduct:
One last word of wisdom I’d like to impart regarding classroom behavior. Classroom department requires
a certain degree of civility – translated; this means you are to conduct yourself appropriately. As such,
the following is prohibited: talking in a disruptive manner, dipping, smoking, sleeping, reading the
newspaper, studying for other classes, fighting, wearing sun glasses or shades, or any similar behavior
that is deemed disruptive or inappropriate by the Professor. This brings us to electronic devices. This
class offers you a zero tolerance policy on cell phones, iPhones, iPods, MP3s, PSPs and other similar
devices. Make sure they are turned off and put away during class time. Regarding laptops, iPads, and
voice recorders, they are allowed but only after speaking with the Professor first. For those utilizing
laptops or iPads, be sure that you use them only for class purposes; do not check your e-mail, face book,
blog, twitter, or watch videos during class. If the Professor suspects that you are using your laptop or
iPad for purposes other than class, he will ask you to shut it off and/or to leave. Lastly, please do not text
during class; do not check e-mail through your phone during class; and if you need to leave early please
make sure you let the Professor know before class starts. Only those enrolled in the course should attend
the class. The Professor reserves the right to remove from class anyone who violates these policies.
Writing Centers:
The Houston Community College Writing Centers provide a student-centered environment where
professional tutors support student success for all HCC students. The primary goal of the Writing Centers
is to offer free, convenient, and personalized assistance to help students improve their writing at any stage
of the writing process required in any courses at HCC. Tutors will also assist students with their job
application letters, resumes, and scholarship/transfer essays. Each session lasts about 30 minutes.
Students should bring the professor’s assignment sheet or notes about the requirements, a printed rough
draft, their textbook, and a flash drive. View Find-A-Tutor at http://ctle3.hccs.edu/alltutoring/index.php?link=stu for Writing Center locations and times. At HCC Writing Centers, each tutoring session becomes
a learning experience.
Title IX of the Education Amendments:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that institutions have policies and procedures that
protect students’ rights with regard to sex/gender discrimination. Information regarding these rights are on
the HCC website under Students-Anti-discrimination. Students who are pregnant and require
accommodations should contact any of the ADA Counselors for assistance. It is important that every
student understands and conforms to respectful behavior while at HCC. Sexual misconduct is not
condoned and will be addressed promptly. Know your rights and how to avoid these difficult situations.
Log in to: www.edurisksolutions.org. Sign in using your HCC student e-mail account, then go to the
button at the top right that says Login and enter your student number.
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Contract Acknowledging Receipt of Syllabus and Acceptance of Student Responsibilities
I, ____________________________________________, am aware and do accept that a passing grade
will not be given to me; that I must earn it. I also accept that I am required to attend class, take notes,
read my textbook, study the material, and complete all required assignments in order to successfully pass
this class. I understand that failure to do so will ultimately and almost certainly result in my failing the
class. I am aware that my instructor does not offer a make-up day; nor does he drop the lowest
assignment grade, or entertain the possibility of grade changes. I accept that all assignments must be
completed and that they all must have passing grades to increase my chances of passing this class. I
acknowledge that my instructor will do his part and that I, the student, am expected to do my part.
____________________________________________
Student Name and Signature
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_________________
Date