UNIV 1301- Seminar in Critical Inquiry
Instructor: Ms. Jesse S. Arrieta, MA
jsarrieta@utep.edu
Office: Academic Advising Center; 915-747-8000
Office Hours: TR 12-1 & by appointment
Peer Leader:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Course Librarian: Juan Sandoval
Phone: 915-747-6713
Email: jasandoval@utep.edu
Theme: Border Identity: Race, Class, and Gender on the U.S. / Mexico Border Description:
 Through selected readings and academic research students will examine identity formation on the U.S. /
Mexico border. This course will attempt to explain and examine unique border culture by focusing on the
intersection of race, class, and gender among other things. Through an interdisciplinary approach,
convergent, and divergent thinking students will examine the importance of several perspectives on border
identity including literature, popular culture, music, film, and theatre, with a primary focus on history.
Students will be required to engage in UTEP activities while in this course.
 This course will also place a significant emphasis on acquiring and practicing the skills needed to help you
successfully make the transition into college. By specifically focusing on academic skills such as time
management, active reading, critical thinking, writing, note taking, test taking and organizational skills. The
activities and assignments in this course will promote student interaction and involvement with various
members of the UTEP community including other students, staff, and faculty members.
UNIV 1310 Goals:
1. Strengthen students’ academic performance and facilitate their transition to college
2. Enhance students’ essential academic skills
3. Increase student/student and student/faculty interaction both in and outside of the classroom
4. Encourage students’ self-assessment and goal clarification
5. Increase student involvement with UTEP activities and resources
Textbooks and Materials:
▪ Borders: crossing into your future. Ambler, Gloria, et. Al. UTEP
▪ The Mixquiahuala Letters. Castillo Ana. Doubleday Press: New York, 1986
ISBN 0-385-42013-7 (available at UTEP bookstore)
▪ Reading Packet to be purchased in the Copy Mine (UTEP library)
 College Dictionary (Recent Edition), pocket book size
 Active UTEP email account
Course Objectives: (Upon Satisfactory Completion of this course, students will be able to):
 Academically explore topics of the formations of Border identities such as being “other” through an
interdisciplinary approach utilizing film, music, literature and, historical interpretations, observations and
analysis. Reflections papers, library research, writing, oral presentations, and discussions will also be
employed.
 Understand the impact and interaction between race, class, and gender on the border and how they affect
society and attitudes, culture, language, pop culture, and representations of ethnic groups on the border
through critical thinking activities, discussion, readings, research, and application to student’s life. Students
will recognize the value of understanding the formation of border identities from a historical perspective
and identify how it affects the culture and society today. Initially, this will be done by identifying and
critiquing our own assumptions about the border and its significance.
 Assess personal learning styles and personality traits, which will reveal how these characteristics affect
basic academic success skills, including, note taking, test taking, and time management.
 Use technology to complete academic assignments and to communicate with peers, a peer leader, offices of
importance at the university, and instructors


Identify their career options and interests by completing the Pin Point program.
Meet with instructor and peer leader to discuss presentations, progress, problems, and needs within the
university.
Policies and Procedures
Attendance:
 Attendance in class is important for your academic success; satisfactory attendance is a course requirement.
Unsatisfactory attendance consists of absences, and tardiness (15 minutes or more will be considered an
absence), leaving the classroom early, or coming to class unprepared to participate (without texts and or
assignments). You are expected to arrive to class on time as a courtesy to your classmates, instructor,
advisor, and peer leader. No absences will be “excused” (not counted) unless they result from carrying out
official, verifiable university business (university sanctioned events such as athletics, concert, etc.) or
observing a religious holiday recognized by UTEP, in those cases you will need to notify the instructor
before hand.
 If you incur more than 3 instances of unsatisfactory attendance before the drop date of March 23, 2007,
the instructor will have the right to withdraw you from the course and you will receive a “W,” but you are
still responsible for withdrawing the course yourself from the course. If you have questions about your
status please see instructor.
 If you reach a total of three (3) instances of unsatisfactory absences after the drop date, the instructor has
the right to fail (“F”) you for the course. Exceptions may be made to the above policy of the instructor
deems that circumstances warrant them.
 Your instructor may also choose to drop you from the course if you are late to class on a regular basis. If
you are 15 minutes late to class, it is considered an absence; also, if an assignment is due it will be
considered late (refer to late work policy).
Should you miss a class, you are still responsible for everything that is covered in that class. Missing class or
being late is no excuse for missing a due date or misunderstanding an assignment. Therefore, you will want to
make contact with a classmate in order to find out what you missed. REGARDLESS OF WHY YOU MISSED
CLASS, ALL WORK MUST BE TURNED IN WITHIN 5 MINUTES AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON
THE DATE IT’S DUE. IT WILL BE CONSIDERED LATE AFTER THE 5 MINUTE TIME ALLOTTED!
**Save all your work, if I ask for a second copy, it’s YOUR responsibility to have a copy available.**
**NO WORK will be accepted via email, you must turn in work in person!**
Late Work:
 You must complete all assignments and turn them in when requested, even if you cannot be in class when
the assignment is due, it is still due. Late work will have 20 points deducted per day. For instance, if I have
collected the work and you come to class 6 or more minutes late, you have already lost 20 points and will
be reduced two letter grades for everyday it is late.
Extra Credit:
 Center for Civic Engagement: Young at Heart & TEAM
 Absences: 0 days = 5 points; 1 day = 2 points; 2 days = 1 point; 3 or more days = 0 points to FINAL
GRADE!
NOTE: There is no make-up for daily work. Quizzes, in-class activities, and exercises cannot be made up.
In other words, come to class; be on time with your work completed.
Format:
 All outside work must be word processed (TYPED) with NO COMPOUND WORDS (i.e. it is instead of
it’s), using Chicago style (NOT MLA), on WHITE PAPER ONLY, ALWAYS DOUBLE SPACED, 12
inch TIMES NEW ROMAN FONT, STAPLED – NO EXCEPTIONS!
 ALL PAPERS TURNED IN MUST HAVE A COVER PAGE AND A WORK CITED PAGE. (Look at the example page
at the end of the syllabus.) Failure to follow the format given will result in an automatic 10 point
deduction.
o Open New Word Document
o CENTER paper
o FORMAT  Paragraph  Line Spacing  Double
o Push ENTER 6 times; begin cover page
 Name (First Last); Student ID number; Date; UNIV 1301; Instructor: Jesse Arrieta;
Assignment; Assignment due date (See example)

Rough drafts must be turned in and signed, at LEAST 2 times by the Tutoring And Learning Center
(TLC Library 3rd floor) and once by the peer leader, 2 weeks before the Final Draft is due.
 THERE MUST BE A ROUGH DRAFT BEFORE A FINAL DRAFT IS ACCEPTED! NO EXCEPTIONS!
 All work complete in class must be legible and in BLACK OR BLUE INK ONLY (if I can’t read it, it is
definitely an “F”).
Academic Dishonesty:
 Academic dishonesty is prohibited and is considered a violation of the UTEP Handbook of Operating
Procedures. It includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and collision. Cheating may involve
copying from or providing information to another student, processing unauthorized materials during a test,
or falsifying research data on laboratory reports. Plagiarism occurs when someone intentionally or
knowingly represents the words or ideas of another person’s as ones’ own. Collusion, involves
collaborating with another person to commit any academically dishonest act. Any act of academic
dishonesty attempted by a UTEP student is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Violations will be taken
seriously and will be referred to the Dean of Students Office for disciplinary action. Students may be
suspended or expelled from the University for such actions.
Students with Disabilities
 I will make any reasonable accommodations for students with limitations due to disabilities, including
learning disabilities. Please see me personally before or after class in the first two weeks or make an
appointment, to discuss any special needs you might have. If you have a documented disability and require
specific accommodations you will need to contact the Disabled Students Services Office in the East Union
Bldg., Room 106 within the first two weeks for classes. The Disabled Students Services Office can also be
reached in the following ways:
 Web: http://www.utep.edu/dsso; Phone: 747-5148; Fax: 747-8712; Email: dss@utep.edu
Cooperative Learning: We will consider this the “Buddy System” of this course and you will refer to other
students to help you with missed lectures/material. (See attendance)
Name: ____________________
Phone:_______________ email:_________________________
Name: ____________________
Phone:_______________ email:_________________________
Name: ____________________
Phone:_______________ email:_________________________
Name: ____________________
Phone:_______________ email:_________________________
Course Requirements and Grade Percentages:
3 Short Papers/Project-Presentation
Campus Resources Written Report/Presentation
Daily Work (quizzes, exercises, & presentations)
Midterm
The Mixquiahuala Letters Presentation/Exam
Final Exam/ Research Paper/Presentations Project
Grading Scale:
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 =
C
10%
05%
30%
20%
10%
25%
60-90 =
D
< 59 = F
Course Calendar: PLEASE NOTE:
 Definite reading and assignment dates will be announced in class on a weekly basis, as specified in the
course calendar. All dates are tentative and subject to change with advanced notice. Specific reading
pages and exercises will be assigned weekly. At the discretion of the lecturer, you may receive a quiz at
the beginning or end of any class, which will cover the assigned readings.
WEEK 1: Introduction to Course
T (1/16):
 Class Orientation, Course Syllabus, Plagiarism Contract, (Video: Race: Power of Illusion Part 2)
 HOMEWORK: Purchase BORDERS & reading packet (READER), get UTEP email account
TR (1/18):
 Icebreaker, Border Bingo, Groups, Quiz on Syllabus
WEEK 2: What is the Significance of the Border and the Construction of Identities?
T (1/23):
 Guest Speaker: Civic Engagement, Short Writing Assignment: Impressions of “the Border”, discussion
study groups

BORDERS: “Introduction” xi-xix; “Getting to Know UTEP,” 1-30; “Campus Resources,” 181-196
TR (1/25):
 Learning styles and assessment
 READER: Drink Cultura C/S, Pendejismo, Motherland Discussion, reflective writing assignment
 BORDERS: “Academic Resources,” 121-124; and “University Library 101,” 124-134
**Complete ONLINE Library Tutorials before Library visit
 http://univstudies.utep.edu/~infoliteracy/tutorials.html
WEEK 3: Library Week
T (1/30):
 LIBRARY ORIENTATION: MEET IN LIBRARY LOBBY NOT IN REGULAR CLASSROOM
TR (2/1):
 MEET IN LIBRARY UNIV LAB (TLC 336) PINPOINT MODULE
 Assign Campus Resource Activity.
WEEK 4: Stereotypes on the Border
T (2/6):
 READER: Weber “Scarce More than Apes”
 BORDERS: “Critical Thinking” 73-86
TR (2/8):
 Guest Speaker: Counseling Center, review PINPOINT results
Week 5: Film Analysis: A Day Without A Mexican
*Phase 1 of Formal paper, assign topic and annotated bibliography: DUE March 1 st
T (2/13):
 Meet with Instructor and Peer Leader
 BORDERS: “Research and Writing,” 107-111
TR (2/15):
 Meet with Instructor and Peer Leader
**FIRST SHORT PAPER DUE**
WEEK 6: Chicano/as in Film Week
T (2/20):
 Film Analysis worksheet due; Assign: Film Critique;
 READER: Noriega, “Introduction” and Limon, “Stereotyping and Chicano Resistance”; Class discussion
TR (2/22):
 READER: Noriega, “Between a Weapon and a Formula”
WEEK 7: Zoot Suit Riots, The Bath Riots, and Immigration
T (2/27):
 READER: O. Martinez “Introduction”, “Borderlands and Borderlanders”
TR 3/1):
 READER: Luibheid “Looking Like a Lesbian”, Class discussion
Week 8:Chicano/a Theatre
*Phase 2 of Formal paper, Constructing an Introduction and Thesis Statement; DUE: March 20 th
T (3/6):
 BORDERS: “Studying for Tests,” 99-107, Peer editing of film critique
TR (3/8):


READER: Valdez “Los Vendidos” and Huerta “How to Buy a Used Mexican: Los Vendidos”
MIDTERM – Film critique due
WEEK 9: SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES (MARCH 12-17)
WEEK 10: Chicana/o Literature: Short Stories
*Phase 3 of Formal paper, Developing the Body of a Formal Paper; DUE: April 10th
T (3/20):
 READER: Cisneros “Never Marry a Mexican”; Rice “El Cucui”
TR (3/22):
 READER: Castillo, “Subtitles”
**SECOND SHORT PAPER DUE**
F (3/23): LAST DAY TO DROP CLASS WITH A “W”/ DROP DEADLINE
WEEK 11: Ana Castillo, The Mixquiahuala Letters
T (3/27):
 The Mixquiahuala Letters
TR (3/29):
 The Mixquiahuala Letters
WEEK 12: Film Zoot Suit
T (4/3):
 Meet w/ Instructor and Peer Leader
TR (4/5):
 Meet w/ Instructor and Peer Leader
WEEK 13: Historical Interpretations of the Border
*Phase 4 of Formal paper, Developing the Conclusion of Formal Paper; DUE: April 24 th
T (4/10):
 READER: E. Martinez “Whose Chicano History Did You Learn”
 BORDERS: “How to Analyze the Logic of an Article, Essay, Chapter, or Textbook” 83
TR (4/12):
 READER: Anzaldua, “The Homeland, Aztlan” and Poem “To Live in the Borderlands Means You”
WEEK 14: Chicana/o Poetry Week
T (4/17):
 READER: R. Martinez, “El Otro Lado,” Cervantes, “Emplumada”, “Poem for the Young White Man”,
“Oaxaca”, “Vision of Mexico”
TR (4/19):
 READER: West, “The World of the Mexican American”, “Folk Speech and Naming”
**THIRD SHORT PAPER DUE**
WEEK 15: Chicano/a Murals
T (4/24):
 READER: West, “Folk Murals”
 Video: “Las Four Murals of Aztlan”
TR (4/26):
 Video continued
WEEK 16: Reflections on “the Border”
T (5/1):
 READER: Burciaga “Reasons to Celebrate El Cinco de Mayo”; “Memories of a Juarez Nightlife”; “Last
Supper of Chicano Heroes”; “The Desert”
TR (5/3):
 BORDERS: “Public Speaking” 112-118
*FINAL FORMAL PAPER DUE begin Paper Presentations
F (5/4): DEAD DAY
WEEK 17: FINAL EXAM WEEK
T (5/8): Final Paper Presentations
TH (5/10): Final Paper Presentations cont.
EXAMPLE COVER PAGE
JANE DOE
8XX-XX-XXXX (NOT Social Security!)
DATE
UNIV 1301
INSTRUCTOR: JESSE ARRIETTA
ASSIGNMENT
ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE