Latino Studies
RCSD Social Studies Semester Elective
Latinos and Latinas make up the largest minority group in the United States and are reshaping the future of our
community, our country, our hemisphere, and our world. Students will explore the diverse challenges and
contributions of Latinos and their communities through the study of Latino history, arts, and culture, both
national and local. The course will also include an in-depth examination of contemporary issues of migration,
citizenship, and identity, culminating in a research and/or community action project.
Latino Studies
Unit One: Common Roots and Diverse Identities
Latinos and Latinas have roots that stretch into all parts of the hemisphere and across the ocean to Europe and
Africa, and these roots form a part of a transnational identity. Students will explore the geographic roots and
changing ethnic definitions of Latino identity and the impact on that identity of history, media, and
government policy.
Essential Questions
 Who is included in the label of Latino?
 From where do Latinos trace their heritage?
 How do Latinos express ethnic and cultural
identity through culture, traditions, food, and
the arts?
 How were the racial dynamics and experiences
of colonization different for different groups in
the interactions between European, African,
and indigenous people in the Americas?
 Why did the state of Arizona outlaw ethnic
studies in schools?
 How are Latinos portrayed in news and
entertainment media and how does this shape
public perceptions?
 What are the different perspectives on
immigration policy and how do those policies
affect affect Latinos?
Social Studies Practices
RCSD Latino Studies – DRAFT Printed 2/9/2016 8:37 PM
Key Ideas
 The physical and human geography of Central
America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto
Rico, and Mexico shaped the lives of Latinos.
 Latinos have developed diverse backgrounds,
experiences, and senses of identity based on
their geographic roots.
 Latinos express diverse ethnic identities
through culture, art, and literature.
 Newly arriving migrant and indigenous people
had diverse experiences during the period of
European Colonization and Settlement of the
Americas.
 News and entertainment media strongly
influence perceptions about Latinos with a mix
of both positive and negative stetreotypes.
 Demographic changes related to the growing
Latino population have generated
controversial public policy issues.
Suggested Products and Activities
 Create maps and infographics depicting the
geography and migration patterns of Latinos.
 Debate perspectives on the Atlantic Encounter
 Create “Identity Portraits” made up of objects,
symbols and/or imagery that represent various
parts of Latino identity.
 Write position paper on Immigration Policy.
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Resources - General
 American Latino Theme Study, National Park Service
 Juan Gonzalez, Harvest of Empire, Penguin Books, 2011.
 LatinAmericanStudies.org, Indiana University
 Latin American Network Information Center, University of Texas
 Pew Research Hispanic Center
Resources - Unit One: Common Roots and Diverse Identities
Identity and Culture
 “What it Means to be Latino,” American Family, PBS
 “Coming Home to Salsa: Latino Roots of American Food,” by Jeffrey Pilcher, American Latino
Theme Study, National Park Service
 “The Impact of Media Stereotypes on Opinions and Attitudes Towards Latinos,” National
Hispanic Media Coalition
 Black in Latin America, PBS
 “When Labels Don’t Fit: Hispanics and Their Views of Identity,” Pew Research Hispanic Center
Colonization and Settlement
 When Worlds Collide, PBS
 “Hispanic Exploration in America,” Library of Congress
 “Three Worlds Meet,” History Now (Fall 2010)
 ”Hispanic Heritage of North America,” Social Education, vol. 77, 1
 African Heritage in Latin America, LatinAmericanStudies.org, Indiana University
Immigration and Ethnic Studies Debates
 “The New Americans,” Independent Lens, PBS
 “The U.S. Immigration Debate,” Council on Foreign Relations
 Immigration Pro-Con
 Poder Magazine, June/July 2013
 “Banned in Arizona,” Need to Know, PBS
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Latino Studies
Unit Two: Shaping Latino Citizenship
Latinos and Latinas have had to navigate changing economic and political conditions as they strive to
improve opportunities for their families, communities, and nations. Students will explore defining
moments in this dramatic history, and they will find the complex and changing nature of citizenship
reflected in the rich literature of Latino and Latina writers.
Essential Questions
 What factors influenced U.S.foreign policies
such as the Monroe Doctrine, conflicts over
Texas, the Mexican-American War, and the
settlement of California and what were their
impact?
 How did Latino writers and poets address
issues of migration and citizenship?
 What were the causes, objectives, and
outcome, and consequences of the SpanishAmerican War?
 What new questions of citizenship were raised
by the acquisition of new U.S. territories such
as Puerto Rico?
 How did the Mexican Revolution affect border
relations between Mexico and the U.S.?
 How did labor recruitment, economic
opportunities, nationalism, U.S. politics, and
nativism affect migrations and expulsions of
Latino populations?
 How did the Cuban Revolution give rise to
exile communities in the U.S.?
Social Studies Practices
RCSD Latino Studies – DRAFT Printed 2/9/2016 8:37 PM
Key Ideas
 The roots, development, and impact of U.S.
expansionism and imperialism shaped the
history of the hemisphere.
 Americans have held many different
perspectives on issues of race, civilization, and
American citizenship.
 U.S. intervention and anti-colonial
independence movements had major impacts
on migration and on Latino communities in
the United States.
 Latino literature and poetry have reflected the
concerns of Latinos over migration and
citizenship.
 Changes in U.S. immigration policy and Cold
War containment policy profoundly affected
the lives of Latinos.
Suggested Products and Activities
 Research and present a Case Study on a Latino
historical topic or event that includes:
historical causation, impact, and its reflection
in literature
 Write and present a Book Report or Author
Report on a relevant title or Latino author.
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Resources - Unit Two: Shaping Latino Citizenship
Latino History
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“The American Latino Heritage,” by Stephen Pitti, American Latino Field Study, National Park Service
“U.S. Mexican War,” PBS
“The Latino Crucible: Its Origins in 19th-Century Wars, Revolutions, and Empire,” by Ramón A.
Gutiérrez, American Latino Field Study, National Park Service
“The World of 1898,” Library of Congress
“Spanish American War,” Historical Thinking Matters
“A Vision of Puerto Rico: the Teodoro Vidal Collection,” Smithsonian Institution
“Zoot Suit Riots,” PBS American Experience
www.latinamericanstudies.org
“1959: the Cuban Revolution,” Upfront Scholastic Magazine
Latino Literature
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“Top Ten Latino Booksfor High School,” Latino Stories.com
The Latino Reader: An American Literary Tradition from 1542 to the Present
Latino Boom:An Anthology of U.S. Latino Literature
Norton Anthology of Latino Literature
When I Was Puerto Rican: a Memoir by Esmeralda Santiago
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Latino Studies
Unit Three: Struggles and Triumphs through the New Century
Even as Latinos and Latinas maintain transnational ethnic identities, they continue to insist on inclusion
and fairness in America. As we begin a new century, the Latino influence on American popular culture
and politics is unmistakable. Students will examine the more recent struggles and contributions of
Latinos, and closely examine how these issues play out in our own community.
Essential Questions
 What was the significance of the Mendez v.
Westminster case (1947) and the Chicano
“Blowouts” (1968) and what are the educational
issues facing Latinos today?
 How did Cesar Chavez and the United Farm
Workers challenge discrimination against
Mexican Americans?
 How have Latino visual artists, such as Mexican
muralists, explored issues of history, identity, and
politics?
 How did groups like LULAC, MeCha, the Young
Lords, the National Council of La Raza, Aspira,
and Ibero-American Action League advocate for
Latino communities, nationally and in Rochester?
 What styles of music are classified as part of the
“Latin beat” and what is the impact on American
popular music?
 Who are some of the most prominent Latinos who
have made major contributions to science,
business, sports, and entertainment and what
accounts for their success?
 How do current controversies around Latino
issues affect our local community in Rochester?
Social Studies Practices
RCSD Latino Studies – DRAFT Printed 2/9/2016 8:37 PM
Key Ideas
 Debates over Puerto Rican nationalism began
when the island became a U.S. territory and
continue to this day.
 Latinos raised early challenges to school
segregation, organized against poor labor
conditions, and have continued to fight for
inclusion and civil rights.
 Latino visual artists have created work that
reflects social, political, and cultural issues of
Latino identity and inclusion.
 Rochester has a rich history of Latino activism.
 The “Latin beat” continues to influence American
popular music.
 Latinos have been pioneers in science, business,
and entertainment.
 Debates over immigration and trends in Latino
demographics are dominant issues in American
politics.
Suggested Products and Activities
Capstone Community History Project:
 Research a Local Event, Issue, or Latino
Community in Rochester
 Collect Oral Histories from Rochester
residents
 Work with library or university partners
 Present work to school and/or community
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Resources - Unit Three: Struggles and Triumphs through the New Century
Latino Civil Rights
 “Struggles for Inclusion,” by Louis DeSipio, American Latino Theme Study, National Park
Service
 “Invisible No More: the Latino Struggle for Civil Rights,” National Education Association
(2010).
 “Civil Rights Timeline,” Teaching Tolerance
 Viva La Causa (2008), Teaching Tolerance
 “Latinas in History,” Brooklyn College of City University of New York
Education
 “A Tale of Two Schools,” Teaching Tolerance
 “Demanding their Rights: The Latino Struggle for Educational Access and Equity” by VictoriaMaría MacDonald, American Latino Theme Study, National Park Service
The Arts
 “The Storm that Swept Mexico: Revoultionary Art,” PBS LearningMedia
 “Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art,” Smithsonian American Art Museum
 “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music,” Smithsonian Institution and
Experience Music Project
Achievers
 “National Latino Leader? The Job is Open,” Pew Research Hispanic Center
 Hispanic Heritage in the Americas, Encyclopedia Brittanica
 “Sports,” American Latino Theme Study, National Park Service
Rochester
 “Building the Barrio: a Story of Rochester’s Puerto Rican Pioneers” in Rochester History (2007)
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