LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE
CHICANO STUDIES 37 -CHICANO/A LITERATURE
Spring 2012
Mr. Alberto Juárez, Jr.
Office: Instructional Building #2
Hours: Monday 1:00-2:00 pm or by appointment.
Phone: 818.364.7679
Email: juareza@lamission.edu
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a broad survey of contemporary Chicano/a literature. Through an analysis of
poetry, novels, short stories, essays, theater, cinema and arts of the Chicano community, this
course will provide students a deeper understanding of the Mexican-American historical
experience in America with a major focus placed on writing, and the development and study
of voice. Chicano literature not only is about looking at previously silenced voices in the
America canon of literature, but of the development of a literacy that is critical and concise
that speaks about the cultural, social, political, ethnic traditions mores and history of
Chicanos.
II . COURSE OBJECTIVES
Through a reading and analysis of several novels, essays, poetry, and other forms of Chicana
and Chicano literature, students will explore the social, cultural and political expression by
examining several authors and themes listed in the following:







Historical Overview of European, American, Native and indigenous people in Mexico
and the Southwest from the Meso American Period to 21st century and their impact of
Chicano Literature.
Overview of literary techniques and devices characteristically employed by novelists,
dramatists, essayists, and poets (i.e. character development, plot, conflict,
resolution, alliteration, and sequential function of the narrative-dialogue-summary
focusing of the works of Chicano authors.
Short Stories: Exploration, Analysis, and Discussion of several Short Stories.
Review of Literary Key Concepts and Terms (See
http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm)
Use of Language: English, Spanish, Calo, Spanglish, Nahuatl, Code-Switching
(Chiconics)
Biography/Autobiography
Historical Fiction: Exploration, Analysis, and Discussion
III. ASSIGNMENTS – The Course Outline
 lists the weekly readings of essays novels, articles, poems and commentaries to be
read and analyzed
 schedule of weekly assignments, due dates for papers and projects .
 assignments and projects will be due on the date announced by the instructor and
tardy assignments will accepted at the discretion of the instructor and may not be
given full credit.

Course Projects –
Autobiography– This project will give you an opportunity to research your and
establish a family tree and genealogy (family background, grandparents and great
parents, their country and states of origin), and major events that you feel have had
an impact on your life your personal development, formation of your outlook on life
LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE
CHICANO STUDIES 37 -CHICANO/A LITERATURE
Spring 2012
and future goals. This project will have a value of 300 points and will be due no
later than Wednesday, May 30,2012.
IV. Examinations
 Midterm Exam - will have a value of up to 150 points. There will be an essay and
multiple choice, true & false and identification questions valued at 50 points.
The essay topic that will be announced two weeks prior to the Mid Term, will
have a value of 100 points.

Final Examination - will have a value of 300 points. The final will be structured
in the same format as the midterm examination with multiple choice , true &
false and fill-in questions valued at 100 points. The essay topic will also be
announced two weeks prior to the final, will have a value of 200 points.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes - You the student will learn to analyze the literary, and
technical aspects of literature and literary criticism and in doing consider how literature
addresses socio- political, cultural, ethnic , religious and gender issues in both a
contemporary and historical context of the American and over all human experience.
V. Assessment Methods
Students will be required to demonstrate their understanding and interpretation of the
assigned literature and related topics discussed throughout the course. Students will be
assessed through the use of , and multiple choice and essay exams covering all assigned
course materials and creative writing assignments to (skill sets in grammar, spelling,
word usage, and vocabulary), will be evaluated

Student Evaluation & Grading- course grades will be based on the cumulative
number of points earned for the successful completion of all course work
including:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Six quizes (50 each)...................................... 300
Six Essays and Book Reveiws………………………………….. 300
the midterm………………………………………………………...... 100
final examination…………………………………………………… . 150
Family History/Autobiography (course project…... 300
class participation (up to 10 points per session…… . . 150
Total………………………………………………………………………….1300
LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE
CHICANO STUDIES 37 -CHICANO/A LITERATURE
Spring 2012


To successfully pass the course with a “C” or better must to attain at least 70% of
the total possible points. For example: (1000 x .60) = 600 points. Please note
the matrix of possible grade distributions.
Points
%
Grade
1000 -950
95
A+
949- 900
90
A
899- 850
85
A-
849-800
80
B+
799-750
75
B
749-700
70
B-
699-650
65
C+
649-600
60
C
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Attendance is required at all lectures.
2. Attendance and participation is also required in discussion. Students
with three unexcused absences may be dropped from the class.
3. In-class assignments will be included in the attendance and participation
portion of the grade.
4. Critical response papers are essays in which you will respond to one of
the week’s reading(s). A critical response essay allows you to react
and respond to the literature in-depth. Papers must be at least two
but no more than 3 pages, typed.
5. All papers MUST be TYPED. Work is due on time. Students must turn in
all assignments at the beginning of class. LATE PAPERS WILL BE
ACCEPTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR.
Brief Biography
Alberto Juárez, has taught Chicano Studies and Political Science at Mission College, CSU Dominguez
Hills ,Cerritos College, East Los Angeles ,and Pasadena City College. He was born and raised in the Lincoln
Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. During the course of his thirty five years of public service with both the
County and City of Los Angeles, he served as a City Commissioner, a member of former LA City Mayor Tom
Bradley's' Staff, and an investigator for the Los Angeles City Housing Department. He is a graduate of Franklin High
School, East Los Angeles College, and the University of California ,Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied Latin
American Studies and Political Science. He is a US Navy veteran and served with the 7th Fleet as a petty officer in
Southeast Asia.
LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE
CHICANO STUDIES 37 -CHICANO/A LITERATURE
Spring 2012
Semester Week
Lecture Topics
Assignment
Read,
analyze,and
the
following articles by Leal and
Troncoso you can access on our
class web site
1.
Week 1
February 6, 2012
Course Introduction:
“What is Chicano Literature
And
Why is It Important and Relevant
in Contemporary Society?”
 LOS ANGELES TIMES: “Luis
Leal, scholar of Mexican,
Chicano and Latin American
Literature”

Segio
Troncoso
Dr. Luis Leal
(1900-2007)
Father of Chicano Literature
Luis Leal: “A Historical
Perspective” Teaching
Chicano Chicano Literature A
Historical Perspective,“The
Problem of Identifying chicano
Literature” In Search of Aztlan,

 Why It is Important to Write
your Own Story” By Sergio
Troncoso
2.Quiz on Assigned Articles on
Monday February 14, 2012
3. Begin Reading: “George
Washington Gomez by Americo
Paredes : Los Sediciosos” Pages
5- 34
4. Create a Glossary of New
Words & Definitions that you
discover in your readings and
insert in notebook
LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE
CHICANO STUDIES 37 -CHICANO/A LITERATURE
Spring 2012
Monday,
February 13, 2012
Week 2
Literarcy and Writing Amongst
the Mexican Ancients
Pre- Cuahtemoc Period (aka:
Precolumbian)
From The Olmec to the Maya Culture
Film: Dawn of the Maya Part 1 &2 – Film is
on Reserve in college library
Introductory Discussion: “George
Washington Gomez: Los
Sediciosos”Pages 5- 34
Read, analyze and critique
the following reading
assignments
1. Go on line and search for articles
on Pre-Columbian Period in Meso
America
2.Prepare One Page
Autobiographical Sketch Due
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
3. Continue: “George Washington
Gomez:
J onesville on the Grande ”Pages
35-105