CCS 350B
Chicana and Chicano History
(1800-1940s)
Chicana and Chicano Studies Department
Fall 2014
2:00pm-3:15pm M-W
Classroom: AL-204
Professor Pantoja M.A.
Office: Arts and Letters # 392
Office phone number: 619-594-6641
Office hours: T & TH 11:00- 11:30 a.m. or by appointment
Email: gregoriopantoja@hotmail.com
Course Description: This course addresses the history of the region that today constitutes
Mexico and the southwestern United States. Mexican independence from Spain, and the events
leading up to the Mexican American war of 1848: Chicana and Chicano contributions; the
multilingual and multicultural Southwest. Emphasis is placed on social stratification based on
class, race, and gender
The class addresses not only “what happened” but how history itself is written.
Through four class discussions (the Alamo, Mexico & U.S. Relations, Nonexistence of Mexicans
within U.S. law, and Mexican Women historically & during Wartime Defense Work) where
students will learn how the writing of history often reflects the sources available as well as the
political and social concerns of historians.
After taking this class students will:
-Be able to differentiate between primary and secondary sources
-Become familiar with traditional qualitative historical research methods
-Be able to use the internet as a tool in historical research
-Become familiar with major controversies in the field of Mexico & U.S. history
-Be able to critically evaluate different perspectives on the U.S. expansion west and reach their
own conclusion
-Describe at least three reasons for the loss of Mexican territory
-Assess the roles of Mexican & Chicana women in Mexico and U.S. history
-Understand the concept of gender and how it developed historically.
-Know basic information about U.S and Mexico cultural and political relations, and describe
how Manifest Destiny was a core aspect
-Understand what daily life was life for men and women of different class and racial
backgrounds in Mexico, California, and the U.S.
-Describe the Spot Resolutions
-Describe how U.S. laws were used against U.S citizens who were of Mexican Ancestry & how
the implications can be seen today
-Describe social, economic, and patriotic roles of Mexican & Chicana women during U.S.
wartime era
-Understand origins of Cinco de Mayo, Mexican & American common history within this event
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-Examine Cinco de Mayo in present day, and put forward ideas of how this celebration can assist
in improving cultural understanding.
-Describe at least three ways in which contemporary Chicana/o historians draw on nineteenth
and twentieth century Mexican and U.S. history
-Describe at least three ways in which contemporary Mexicans are affected by events that took
place between 1800 and 1960’s.
There are Three Required Texts:
1. Married To A Daughter Of The Land: Spanish-Mexican Women And Interethnic Marriage In
California, 1820-80. Casas, Maria Raquel. · University of Nevada, Las Vegas · 2007
2. El Cinco de Mayo: An American Tradition. David E. Hayes-Bautista · University of
California Press · 2012
3. From Coveralls to Zoot Suits: The Lives of Mexican American Women on the World War II
Home Front. Escobedo, Elizabeth. · The University of North Carolina Press · 2013
Assignments:
5 quizzes
(100 points each x 5 quizzes = 500 points)
1 in-class film notes
(100 points)
1 in-class Midterm exam
(200 points)
1 in-class Final exam
(200 points)
NOTE: Please keep hard copies of all your papers.
Quizzes
You will take five multiple choice/ true-false quizzes. Together the quizzes will be worth 50%
of your final grade.
Film Notes
You will be shown films/documentaries in class during the semester. You are responsible for
taking notes during the film, and later writing a reflective/thought essay on the film. In total you
will have written 4 pages. At the end of the course I will select one of the films, and you will
then turn in your work.
How to write the film notes: You are responsible for hand writing at least 2 pages of notes
during each film/documentary, and hand writing at least 2 pages summarizing your thoughts &
perspectives as homework. You should have a total of 4 pages. Please follow the length
guidelines. I WILL TAKE POINTS OFF IF THE ESSAY IS UNDER THE REQUIRED
PAGE LENGTH (10 % off for every page under the pages required in an assignment, 5%
off for every ½ page under, etc). I will not take points off if the essay goes over the page limit.
Exams
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Exams will consist of essay questions. Exams will not be cumulative. You will be given an
exam guide the week before the exam. Questions on the exam will be based on the lectures, the
films, the readings, and the discussions. Nothing on the exams will come as a surprise.
Moreover, exam questions will focus on important issues and themes, not on minor ones.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING 1-2 BLUE BOOKS TO CLASS ON THE DAY OF THE
EXAM. You can write with a pen or pencil but make sure you write legibly.
Grade Calculations:
-5 quizzes
-Film Notes
-Midterm Exam
-Final Exam
50% of final grade
10% of final grade
20% of final grade
20% of final grade
GRADE CALCULATIONS FOR EACH ASSIGNMENT:
93-100= A
90-92 = A88-89 = B+
83-87 = B
80-82 = B78-79 = C+
73-77 = C
70-72 = C68-69 = D+
63-67= D
60-62= D59 and below= F
FINAL GRADE CALCULATIONS:
930-1000= A
900-929 = A880-899 = B+
830-879 = B
800-829 = B780-799 = C+
730-779 = C
700-729 = C680-699 = D+
630-679= D
600-629= D599 and below= F
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SDSU Grading Policy:
A is for outstanding achievement, available only for the highest accomplishments
B is for praiseworthy performance, definitely above average
C is average, awarded for satisfactory performance, the most common undergraduate grade
D is minimally passing, less than the typical undergraduate achievement
F is failing
Extra credit
There is NO opportunity for extra credit.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is unethical and against school policy. Always cite your sources and place the words
of others in quotes. Do not turn in the same paper for two different classes. Do not recycle a
paper from a previous class (do recycle the paper, just not the words). A plagiarized paper or
essay can result in an F for the class. This is the site for the plagiarism tutorial and
certificate.https://www.indiana.edu/~istd/definition.html
Policy for missed assignments and exams
Make up exams and tardy assignments are allowed only in cases of documented emergencies.
Please let me know if you are unable to turn in an assignment on time or if you are unable to take
an exam on the scheduled date.
Americans with Disabilities act/ADA Policy
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your
responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473, TDD 619 594-2929. To avoid any
delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as
possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability
cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student
Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Syllabus change policy
The schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.
Cell phone policy
Please turn off (or mute) all cell phones and other electronic equipment during class.
Texting policy
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If you are in dire need of texting, please do so outside the classroom. If I see you texting during
class I will ask you to step outside to continue texting.
Laptop policy
You are more than welcome to use a laptop in class Moreover, I do ask that you please refrain
from checking email and surfing the internet during class. If I see you on the internet during
class I will ask you to give an impromptu presentation to your classmates on the subject you are
engaged in.
Blackboard
The syllabus, PowerPoint presentations, and the exam study guides will all be available on
blackboard.
Email addresses and email messages
Please make an effort to choose an email address that portrays you in a positive, professional
manner. The best addresses are those that have your first and last name only (not your birth
date, your nickname, a physical characteristic, or a special hobby). It is difficult to take unusual
email addresses seriously. They are often perceived to be spam and end up in my spam folder.
I will make an effort to respond to all emails in a timely manner. If the email is only
informational, I might not respond at all (an example is: “I will be late for class on Tuesday”).
Do not take that personally. I receive hundreds of work-related emails every week. If I
responded to every single email, I would do nothing else all week. If, on the other hand, the
information you sent me in the email is important, do make sure you get a response. If you do
not get a response, it might mean that I never got your email.
Phone messages
I do not check the voice messages on my office answering machine. Please do not leave
messages on my answering machine. The best way to contact me is through email at
gregoriopantoja@hotmail.com
Proper office hours etiquette
It is commonly understood that students should knock on a professor’s door before entering,
whether or not they have an appointment at that specific time. Please also knock on my door
(even if the door is open) if you are waiting to see me and I am with another student. If you
simply wait silently in the corridor I might never know you are waiting to see me.
Graded papers and exams
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Please make an effort to pick up your graded essays and exams. I will bring them to class twice.
If you are not able to pick them up then, do stop by my office hours to pick them up.
Attendance
I will take attendance every period in an effort to memorize students’ names. Since this class
meets only twice a week, missing more than one class in the semester will surely have a negative
impact on your grade.
Class participation
Class participation is very important. Please do the readings and come prepared to participate in
the discussions.
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CLASS SCHEDULE
Date
Topics/Assigned Reading
Class Activities/Assignments
Week One: Introduction
M
8/25
W
8/27
Class Introduction
Syllabus and Assignments Review
Introduction
Introduction: Continued
Chicana/o Identity
Lecture: Chicana/o Identity & Perspective
Week Two: Mexican Independence & The Alamo
M
9/1
W
9/3
NO CLASS
NO CLASS
Lecture: Mexican
Independence I
Topic: Miguel Hidalgo & Mexican Independence
Discuss: Theology, philosophy, heresy
Week Three: The Alamo
M
9/8
Lecture: Mexican
Independence II
Topic: Miguel Hidalgo & Mexican Independence
Discuss: Liberal ideology, & revolutionary
W
9/10
Discussion Groups: The Alamo Topic: The Alamo
QUIZ #1 Mexican Independence
Week Four: Cultural Opposites
M
9/15
Lecture: 1835 The Alamo
Topic: The Alamo
Film : The Alamo
W
9/17
Lecture: Mexico & U.S.
Relations
Topic: Mexico & U.S. Relations
QUIZ #2 The Alamo
Week Five: Texas & Mexican American War
M
9/22
Discussion Groups: Mexico &
U.S. Relations
Topic: Mexico & U.S. Relations
Discuss: Cultural divides
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W
9/24
Lecture: 1836 Texas
Topic: Texas
Adams-Onis Treaty 1918
Discuss: Where is the Border
Week Six: Spanish Women & Class
M
9/29
W
10/1
M
10/6
W
10/8
Lecture: Mex-AmWar
Polk & Lincoln
Topic: Mexican American War
Dueling Documents: Address to Congress versus the Spot
Resolutions
Read: Married to a Daughter of Topic: Spanish Women as Cultural Agents
the Land Chp: 1
Discuss: Cultural Consciousness of California
Quiz #3 Address to congress & Spot Resolutions
Week Seven: Romantic California & Legal System
Read: Married to a Daughter of
the Land Chp: 2
Read: Married to a Daughter of
the Land Chp: 3
Topic: Class & Marriage Choices
Discuss: Society & Class
Topic: Myth of Romantic California
Discuss: Marriage
Week Eight: Interethnic Marriages & Non Existence
M
10/13
W
10/15
Read: Married to a Daughter of
the Land Chp: 4
Racial Repression in Treaty of
Guadalupe
Midterm: Exam Study guide
will be handed out
Topic: Reckless Breed of Men
Discuss: Mexican women & the Legal System
Film: The Bold Caballero
Review: for Exam
Week Nine: WWII & MIDTERM
M
10/20
Read: Married to a Daughter of
the Land Chp: 5
Topic: Post Mexican-American War Era
Discuss: Interethnic Marriages
W
10/22
MIDTERM EXAM
You are responsible for
bringing a blue book that has
no writing in it for your
midterm
Week Ten: Black, White, & Brown
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M
10/27
W
10/29
Discussion Groups: FergCadima, Black, White & Brown
pgs. 6-27
Topic: Non existence within written law
Lecture: From Coveralls to
Zuit Suits Chp: 2
Topic: Mexican Women the Wartime state & Media
Discuss: Readings; Racial segregation and education
Discuss: Images & Mass Media
Week Eleven: War Time
M
11/3
W
11/5
Discussion Groups: From
Coveralls to Zuit Suits Chp: 3
Lecture: From Coveralls to
Zuit Suits Chp: 4
Topic: Mexican Women & Wartime Defense Work
Discuss: Mexican Women as American Heroes
Topic: Mexican Women & the World of Wartime Leisure
Discuss: What was this leisure & what was it like
Week Twelve: Identity & La Chicana
M
11/10
W
11/12
Lecture: From Coveralls to
Zuit Suits Chp: 5
Read: El Cinco de Mayo
Chp: 1
Topic: Civil Rights & Post War
Discuss: The Chicana Identity
Topic: Before the American Civil War
Discuss: Pre Civil War
Quiz #4 Chapter One
Week Thirteen: Cinco de Mayo
M
11/17
W
11/19
Read: El Cinco de Mayo
Chp: 2
Read: El Cinco de Mayo
Chp: 3
Topic: First Battle of Puebla 1862
Discuss: Battle of Puebla
Topic: American Civil War & 2nd Battle of Puebla
Discuss: Civil War & Puebla
Week Fourteen: Cinco de Mayo
M
11/24
Readings: El Cinco de Mayo
Chp: 4
Topic: The Juntas Patrioticas
Discuss: Fiestas Patrias
Quiz# 5 Chapter Four
9
W
11/26
NO CLASS
NO CLASS
Week Fifteen: Cinco de Mayo
M
12/1
Readings: El Cinco de Mayo
Chp: 5
Film: Cinco de Mayo
Discuss: Topic Discussion
W
12/3
Readings: El Cinco de Mayo
Chp: 6
Film: Cinco de Mayo continued
Topic: Shaping & Reshaping the Cinco de Mayo
Discuss: Reflections & Future Remembrance
Week Sixteen: Discussion & Review
Discuss & Review: Review for Final exam
M
12/8
HAND OUT: Study guide for final exam will be handed
out
W
12/10
You are responsible for
bringing your hand written
notes & summarization from
each film. One will be selected
for turn in.
Discuss & Review: Review for Final exam
DUE : Film Notes
Week Seventeen: FINALS WEEK
M
12/15
You are responsible for
bringing a blue book that has
no writing in it for your Final
Exam
FINAL EXAM IS MONDAY, DEC. 15 1300-1500
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION:
Rules of engagement:
In our pursuit of serious scholarly inquiry we will engage controversial topics, concepts,
methodologies, and insights. It will be our collective responsibility to maintain an intellectually
rigorous and respectful environment. Thus, it is imperative that our interaction in class be
thoughtful, courteous, and supportive of the views, experiences, and expertise of others at all
times. In order to maintain a convivial learning environment we must agree:
-to give each person a chance to speak
-to listen to the person who is speaking
-to speak for oneself and one’s own experiences without dismissing the experiences of those who
cannot speak for themselves
-not to diminish, ridicule, or attack other participants, even if we disagree with what they said
-not to treat others differently based on what was said or discussed in class
-not to repeat what someone shares in class discussions outside of class without permission from
that person or the group
-not to diminish, ridicule, or attack the opinions or experiences of those who are in the United
States without government-issued documentation (see below)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948)
Article 1.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This course does not deal with contemporary issues in the United States. However, the past
informs the present, and the present informs our views of the past. At some point during the
semester, there could potentially be a discussion on the presence of people living in the U.S.
without government-issued documentation. In the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, I ask that you avoid referring to people as “illegals” and that we maintain, as a class, the
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utmost respect for the human dignity of those who seek a better life for their families by doing
tasks many of us would rather avoid. Those who harvest our food, take care of our children, our
sick, and our elderly, landscape our yards, build our homes, cook the food in the restaurants we
eat at, and clean our toilets, usually for very little pay, deserve our respect, not our contempt.
We are all humans, born free and equal in dignity…
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