The Mexican American in the Political & Social History of the U.S.
History 44
Spring 2003
Section 7973~Online
Instructor: Alicia Rodriquez-Estrada
Office: F248
Office Hours: T 9-10am and T 5-6 pm and by appointment
Phone: 213-763-3938
Email: rodriqai@lattc.edu
This course offers an overview of Mexican American History from 1848 to the present,
focusing on the experiences of Mexican, Mexican American and Chicano/a people in the
United States, particularly in the American West. Decades before the first Euroamericans
made their way West, mestizo people ventured north. They established presidios,
missions, pueblos and rancho. This course discusses the history of Mexican Americans
and their contact with Euroamericans, as well as the transformation of their society
following the Texas Revolution and U.S.-Mexican War.
Books
Required textbook:
Manuel G. Gonzales. Mexicanos: A History of Mexicans in the United States (1999).
And choose one of the following for your book review assignment:
Francisco Jimenez. Breaking Through (2001; 193 pages-hardback). Can be found at
any bookstore (Barnes & Noble, Vroman’s, or be ordered online at www.amazon.com
(New: $10.50 or Used: $6.99)
or
Francis Esquibel Tywoniak. Migrant Daughter: Coming of Age as a Mexican American
Woman (2000; pages-paperback). Can be found at any bookstore (Barnes & Noble,
Vroman’s, or be ordered online at www.amazon.com (new: $19.95 or Used : $14.99)
If you do not want to purchase any of the books for the class, it is recommended you
look for it at your local library.
There will also be online readings included. These articles are optional, but it is
recommended that you read them.
Schedule
Week 1/2
February 10-23~Introduction and Overview of Early Mexican American History
Readings: Gonzales, pgs. 1-81
Online Reading: The U.S. Mexican War, 1846-1848 (www.dmwv.org)
Due: Movie Critique #1
Week 3
February 24-March 2~Impact of U.S.-Mexican War
Readings: Gonzales, 82-112
Ass
Week 4/5
March 3-16~The Growth of Mexican-American by Immigration
Readings: Gonzales, 113-138
Test #1
Week 6
March 7-23The Americanization Process
Readings:
Week 7
March 24-30-The Great Depression
Readings: Gonzales, 139-160
Due: Movie Critique #2
Week 8/9
March 31-April 13~World War II
Readings: Gonzales, 161-170
Week 10
April 21-27~ The Mexican American Identification Readings:
Readings: Gonzales, 170-190
Due: Book Review
Week 11/12
April 29-May 4~ Chicano/a Movement
Readings: Gonzales, 191-222
2nd Exam
Week 13/14
May 5-18~The Decade of the Hispanic
Readings: Gonzales, 223-261
Week 15
May 19-25~Current Issues
Readings:
Online Readings: PBS Discussion of Immigration
Due: Oral History Projects
Week 16
Due June 2: Newspaper Project
Course Expectations and Requirements
Assignments:
1. Newspaper Project: Beginning Week 3, collect a minimum of one article a
week which discusses (local, statewide or national) Latino issues. Examples of
some sources you can use: Los Angeles Times, Hispanic (magazine), Latina
(magazine), cnn.com. Articles should be pasted or taped to a clean sheet of paper
and placed in a 3 punch paper folder. This includes internet daily news articles.
Be sure to include source and date alongside each article. Select a minimum of 3
articles and discuss how they relate to topics we have discussed in class. Do not
write more than half a page. Project will be mailed to instructor by June 2. 50
points
2. Movie Critiques: Each student will be responsible for critiquing two films on
approve movie list. Rent the film from your local library or video store.
Complete the general questions, as well as specific film questions. Students will
then send their answers to instructor. Due: Week 2 and Week 7. 50 points
3. Oral History Project: Student will interview someone (friend, family member,
etc.) of Mexican descent, either born in the U.S. or Mexico. In essay form,
describe interviewees’ experiences. The format should be in the context of the
class-themes we have been discussing (education, identity, immigration, gender).
Paper should be a minimum of 6 pages, types, and double-spaced. Due: May 25.
100 points
4. Book Reviews: Each student will be responsible for reviewing either Francisco
Jimenez’s Breaking Through or Francis Esquibel Tywoniak’s, Migrant Daughter:
Coming of Age as a Mexican American Woman. Due: April 27. 50 points
5. Discussion Questions: During weeks 4/5, 8/9, 10, 11/12, 13/14 and 15 students
will respond to a question posted by the instructor. Your original response is
worth 15 points and your comment is worth 10 points. 150 points
Exams
The two exams will consist of multiple choice, T/F, short answer identification and essay
questions. All questions will be taken from assigned readings, lectures and films. They
will each be worth 100 points.
Grading
I will not grade on a curve. Each assignment will be evaluated on its own merit,
using the scale outlined below
Discussion Questions: 15% (150 points)
Book Review: 5% (50 points)
Newspaper Project: 5% (50 points)
Movie Reviews: 5% (50 points)
Oral Interview: 10% (100 points)
1st midterm: 10% (100 points)
2nd midterm: 10%(100 points)
Homework Policy
Students are encouraged to use office hours to discuss assignments for feedback (also
before assignments are due). Points will be deducted for late assignments, unless the
student talks to me before the assignment is due and can document a real emergency.
Preparedness and Participation Policy
Students are expected to attend each class during the semester, to read the week’s
readings prior to class and to participate in all class activities.
Drops and Incomplete Grades
If for some reason any student who decides to drop the class after May 12th, before the
semester ends and does not inform me-they will be given a Final Grade based on their
semester’s completed work. The student must go to the administration and file a
drop/withdrawal. It is not the instructor’s responsibility to drop the student or give them
an “I” (Incomplete) grade. If a student speaks to me about their situation, and if I agree,
the student will receive an “I” (Incomplete).
Suggested Websites to View:
The Azteca Web Page: www.azteca.net/Aztec/
Los Angeles Public Library: www.lapl.org
Los Angeles: Past, Present, and Future: www.usc.edu/isd/archives/la/
History Society of Southern California: www.socalhistory.org
The U.S.-Mexican War, 1846-1848: www.dmwv.org/mexwar/mexwar1.htm
Poem-“Yo Soy Joaquin”:
http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~rivas/Yo%20soy%20Joaquin.html
“Visit to a Unknown Portion of Their Own County:” Mexicans in the United States,
1900-1940:
http://www.duke.edu/~mahealey/aztlan_1.htm
A History of Mexican Americans in California: The Mexican War
http://www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/5views/5views5a.htm
A History of Mexican Americans in California: Post-Conquest California:
http://www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/5views/5views5b.htm
A History of Mexican Americans in California: Revolution to Depression:
http://www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/5views/5views5c.htm
A History of Mexican Americans in California: World War II:
http://www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/5views/5views5d.htm
A History of Mexican Americans in California: The Chicano Movement:
http://www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/5views/5views5e.htm