E NGLISH 379B
CHICANA /L ATINA L ITERATURE
FALL 2006
TUE. & THU. 11AM -12:15 PM, SQH 1117
Professor R. Ontiveros
301-405-3833
4135 Susquehanna Hall
Mon. 1pm-2pm
Tue. 12:30pm-1:30pm
CLASS O VERVIEW
The two main goals of this class are (1) to give students an introduction to the diverse
traditions of Chicana/Latina literature, and (2) to foster critical thought about the ongoing
role of race in US society. We begin the semester by looking at literary representations of
contact between indigenous tribes and European colonialists, paying special attention to
how these representations have shaped contemporary definitions of Chicano/Latino
identity. Next we explore the history of modernization in the United States, analyzing in
particular how Chicanas and Latinas have both contributed to and resisted the steady
transformation of this country into an economic and military superpower. We move on
to consider the ways in which the overlapping ideological forces of cultural nationalism
and consumer multiculturalism have influenced Chicano and Latino cultural production
over the last several decades. We wrap up the semester with an informed discussion of
how contemporary debates over immigration and citizenship can be placed within a
broader history of Chicana/Latina politics.
T EXTBOOKS
REQUIRED
 Herencia: the Anthology of Hispanic Literature of the United States (ed. Nicolás
Kanellos/0-195-13825-2)
 The Squatter and the Don (M.A. Ruiz de Burton/0-812-97289-9)
 Down These Mean Streets (P. Thomas/0-679-78142-0)
 Pilgrims in Aztlán (M. Méndez/0-927-53423-1)
 Dreaming in Cuban (C. García/0-345-38143-2)
RECOMMENDED
 Harvest of Empire: a History of Latinos in America (J. González/0-140-25539-7)
RESERVES
 Additional course material will be placed on reserve in the ELMS system or at
McKeldin library. Students are encouraged to access this material well ahead of
the due date on the syllabus.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
REGISTRATION
The last day to change your grade option or to drop this class without a “W” is September
13th. The last day to drop (with a “W”) is November 8th. Students should consult the UM
Schedule of Classes for more information about registration policies.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The Disability Support Services office (0126 Shoemaker Hall) has important information
about accommodations for students with disabilities. Those in need of such
accommodations should contact me early in the semester.
ATTENDANCE
Every student is expected to attend every class meeting. To encourage this, and to make
sure that students are keeping up with reading, pop quizzes will be given throughout the
semester. Students will be allowed a makeup quiz only if their absence was excused,
which means that it arose from official university activities, a religious observance (see
below), or a documented personal emergency.
C LASSROOM E TIQUETTE
Out of respect for everyone in the class, students should arrive on time, wait until the end
of the class period to pack up belongings, listen attentively during lectures and
discussions, and turn off all electronic devices. (Laptops can be used for note-taking
purposes only.)
RELIGIOUS O BSERVANCE
University policy states that “students shall be given an opportunity, whenever feasible,
to make up within a reasonable time any academic assignment that is missed due to
individual participation in religious observances.” Students who anticipate being absent
from class for religious reasons are required to inform me of their intentions no later than
the end of the schedule adjustment period (September 13).
ACADEMIC D ISHONESTY
UM Student Policy outlines four different types of academic dishonesty: cheating,
fabricating information, facilitating the academic dishonesty of other students, or
plagiarism. Any student found in violation of this policy faces the possibility of
disciplinary action, including a failing grade on the assignment, a grade of “XF” on their
permanent transcript, or, in the case of repeated violations, dismissal from the university.
Consult the academic handbook or www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/students.html for
more specific information regarding the definition of academic dishonesty, possible
consequences, and your rights as a student.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Most plagiarism cases involve students who lack a good
understanding of when and how to cite outside sources. Do not hesitate to visit me during
office hours if you have any questions about these kinds of issues.
COMMUNICATION
GETTING IN T OUCH WITH M E
There are three ways to contact me: in person, by telephone, or via ELMS. My
office hours, office location, and telephone number are provided on the first page
of this syllabus. Students who wish to communicate with me electronically should
post a private message on our course site in ELMS. Keep in mind that I check my
messages (voice and electronic) only twice a day, which means that you are
unlikely to get an immediate reply. My general policy is to respond within 24
hours unless I am out of town, in which case I may take lon ger. I will let the class
know in advance if I will be traveling.
ELMS
We will be relying on the new ELMS system throughout the semester for
messaging, announcements, grades, assignments, and more. It is essential to your
success in this class that you login to ELMS regularly (2-3 times to week), as you
are responsible for any messages or class material posted there.
G UIDELINES FOR W RITTEN W ORK
All written assignments must be submitted in hard copy and with the following
format: 1” margins on all sides, 12 point Times New Roman font, black ink,
stapled, with page numbering and no cover sheet. Late work will not be accepted,
except in the case of a documented personal emergency. Students are strongly
encouraged to do frequent backups and to keep all graded materials until the end
of the term.
Written work will be graded on the basis of reasoning, organization, and clarity.
To do well, it is crucial that students revise and proofread their work before
handing it in. No matter what your writing ability, whether you struggle with
writing or find that it comes naturally, you should consider taking advantage of the
services provided by the UM Writing Center (0125 Taliaferro Hall). You might
also consider taking a look at some of the print and internet resourc es listed below:
 The Norton Field Guide to Writing (A good all-in-one reference)
 The Elements of Style (A classic on how to create concise, readable writing)
 http://www.english.umd.edu/programs/WritingCenterWebsite/ (Home page
of the UMCP Writing Center)
 http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/resources.html (Practical writing tips
on specific topics from Harvard’s Writing Center)
G RADING
ASSIGNMENTS
 Presentation (50 points): All students will be required to give a short-in class
presentation. Details about the assignment will be given in the 2nd week of the
semester.
 Quizzes (200 points): Pop quizzes will be given throughout the semester and will
be based on readings and on material covered in class. Missed quizzes can be
made up only if the absence was excused.
 Midterm (200 points): The mid-term exam will include identification questions
and short essay questions. Makeup exams will be permitted only in the case of
excused absences.
 Final Exam (200 points): The final exam will be cumulative and will include
identification questions and short essay questions. It is scheduled for Thursday,
December 14th from 8am-10am. No alternative or makeup exams will be allowed,
so students should plan their schedules accordingly.
 Research Paper (350 points): All students will be required to submit an 8-10
page research paper on or before December 7th. Details about the research paper
requirements will be given in the 2nd week of the semester.
GRADING SCALE
The following scale will be used to calculate grades:
A: 96%-100%
B-: 80%-82%
A-: 90%-95%
C+: 77%-79%
B+: 87%-89%
C: 73%-76%
B: 83%-86%
C-: 70%-72%
D+: 67%-69%
D: 63%-66%
D-: 60%-62%
F: 59% or below
COURSE S CHEDULE
Readings are in italics and assignments are in bold. Unless otherwise indicated, page
numbers refer to Herencia. I reserve the right to make minor changes to the schedule if
necessary
Aug. 31
Course Introduction
Sep. 5
Contact and Conquest: 1492-1892
An Overview of Hispanic Literature of the United States (1-32)
Sep. 7
We’re Not in Jamestown Anymore
Selections from The Conquest of New Spain (reserves)
The Account (35-39)
Discovery of the Seven Cities of Cibola (39-46)
History of New Mexico (47-56)
Lord, If the Shepherd does not Hear the Sheep’s Complaint (58-64)
The Comanches/Los comanches (69-86)
Sep. 12
El primer sueño americano, or The First American Dream
On Behalf of Mankind (511-517)
Mexicans: Signaled by Providence (517-521)
Necessary Ideas (521-522)
Essay on Slavery (522-528)
Sep. 14
Not Quite Mexico, Not Quite the United States
A Glimpse of Domestic Life in 1827 (94-95)
Occurrences in Hispanic California (95-100)
Letter to William Heath Davis (100-102)
Personal Memoirs of John N. Seguín (106-109)
Editorials (109-111)
The Californios (111-112)
Proclamation (112-115)
Joaquín Murieta, Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (115-120)
Sep. 19
The Squatter and the Don
Introduction, pages 1-77
Sep. 21
The Squatter and the Don
Pages 78-157
Sep. 26
The Squatter and the Don
Pages 158-274
Sep. 28
The Squatter and the Don
Pages 274-375
Oct. 3
Modernity and Marginalization: 1893-1969
Oct. 5
Cuba, Puerto Rico, and United States
Open Letter to a Libelist (145-151)
Tropics in Manhattan (356-359)
Memoirs of Bernardo Vega (374-379)
The Night We Became People Again (403-411)
I Was My Own Route/Yo misma fui mi ruta, Farewell in Welfare Island
(488-490)
To the People of Cuba (533-536)
With All, and for the Good of All (536-544)
Ode to October 10/10 de Octubre (560-563)
Simple Verses (575-577)
Oct. 10
The Mexican Revolution and Chicano/Chicana Literature
The Dishwasher, The Deportee (379-385)
The Hammon and the Beans (172-175)
The Rebel is a Girl (425-429)
The Emotions of María Concepción (429-432)
The Stenographer (436-438)
Those Who Return (451-453)
Barrio Boy (465-470)
Oct. 12
Library Session
Class will meet in McKeldin 6101
Oct. 17
Midterm
Oct. 19
Early Feminist Perspectivas
The Spanish Language: A Plea to the Hispanic Legislators (139-142)
For Our Race: Preservation of Nationalism, We Should Work (142-144)
The Mexican Question in the Southwest (156-162)
Step-Children of a Nation (162-170)
Midwife (186-188)
How Poor Women Prostitute Themselves (432-434)
Oct. 24
Nuyorican Poetry: Roots and Legacies
Puerto Rican Obituary (212-220)
Saliendo, Light after Blackout (220-222)
A Lower East Side Poem (238-241)
My Graduation Speech, The Africa in Pedro Morejón (244-247)
My Name is Maria Christina (266-267)
Ending Poem (269-271)
The Latest Latin Dance Craze, today is a day of great joy, Loisaida (320326)
A Puerto Rican in New York (reserves)
Oct. 26
Down These Mean Streets
Prologue, pages 1-78
Oct. 31
Down These Mean Streets
Pages 79-154
Nov. 2
Down These Mean Streets
Pages 155-238
Nov. 7
Down These Mean Streets
Pages 239-337
Nov. 9
Writings of the Chicano Movement
I am Joaquín/Yo soy Joaquín (195-199)
y no se lo tragó la tierra/And the earth did not devour him (reserves)
Actos (reserves)
Los Vendidos (222-230)
Zoot Suit (reserves)
Nov. 14
Pilgrims in Aztlán
Preface, 1-61
Nov. 16
Pilgrims in Aztlán
Pages 62-123
Nov. 21
Pilgrims in Aztlán
Pages 123-178
Nov. 23
Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov. 28
Dreaming in Cuban
Pages 1-55
Nov. 30
Dreaming in Cuban
Pages 56-101
Dec. 5
Dreaming in Cuban
Pages 102-167
Dec. 7
Dreaming in Cuban
Pages 167-244
Research paper due
Dec. 12
Queering Latino/Latina Politics
La Guera (247-254)
How to Tame a Wild Tongue (254-262)
Additional readings TBA
Dec. 14
Final exam (8am-10)