Seminar on Latino Politics in the United States

Transcription

1 Prof. Tony Affigne Visiting Professor of American Studies Brown University Professor of Political Science Providence College ETHN 1890A Tel. (401) Tel. (401) Seminar on Latino Politics in the United States Brown University, Fall 2013 Weds. 3:00-5:20 p.m. Wilson Hall 204 What You Will Learn This seminar examines Latino political history and participation in the United States. We consider the lives of immigrants and descendants of immigrants from the Spanish colonial regions of Latin America. Our subjects include, for example, Latino immigration, socialization, and citizenship; Latino social movements and political participation; intra-latino diversity by gender, race, and class; and prospects for inter-racial coalitions with African Americans and Asian Americans. Who Should Take This Class This course is suitable for all undergraduates, and for graduate students in political science, American studies, sociology, urban studies, Hispanic studies, and anthropology, who want a deeper understanding of the ongoing Latino emergence in U.S. politics and society. It is especially appropriate for motivated, engaged students because as a seminar, it features lively weekly discussions among students and the professor, based on assigned readings, short writing assignments, and Latino-related current news. With readings drawn from contemporary, award-winning books, undergraduate and graduate students alike will be both challenged and rewarded.

2 Page 2 Ethnic Studies 1890A Seminar on Latino Politics in the U.S. About the Professor Tony Affigne is a professor of political science at Providence College, and visiting professor of American studies at Brown, who has taught and written on racial politics for more than twenty years. Since 2008, Prof. Affigne has offered courses in Brown s ethnic studies program this one (ETHN 1890A) and ETHN Race, Class, and Gender in Latino Communities. Prof. Affigne is a Brown alum (Class of 76) and one of Brown s first ten Latino students ever. He is a board member for the Rhode Island Latino Civic Fund, and a member of the state Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). How This Class is Conducted ETHN 1890A is an advanced seminar, which means that students share significant responsibility for successful outcomes. Weekly attendance is required, and all students are expected to engage in thoughtful debate and discussion aboput the reading assignments, current events affecting Latinos, and your own research. The seminar format can be very effective, when the class is well-prepared. Writing Assignments: Review Essays You will have a choice of assessment options in this class. Typically, most students will choose the Essay Option, which includes three review essays matching our three main units Latino Emergence and Empowerment; Paradoxes of Latino Identity; Immigration and the Racial Paradigm and a one-page research report about Latinos at Brown. Your grades on these essays will be averaged, and will account for 80% of your course grade. Alternative Assessment Options: Bibliographic Essay or Professional Presentation If you prefer, however, in place of the three review essays (all students will write the Latinos at Brown report), you may substitute one of these alternatives: 1) a bibliographic essay about some aspect of the political history of the Puerto Rican, Mexican American, or other Latino community; or 2) an extended in-class professional presentation, in which you review, critique, and compare research findings from two of the recommended books (from the list below). More information about these options can be found on page six. Your grade for your bibliographic essay, or your in-class presentation, will account for 80% of your course grade. Grading and Assessment In addition to the 80% of your course grade which is based on the quality of your written work and research, an additional 20% will reflect your seminar participation as shown in class discussions, readings, attendance, and effort. There is no final exam, and we will not meet during Reading Period. Our final class meeting will be Wednesday, December 4.

3 Fall 2013 Page 3 Required Books The following books are required, and can be purchased through the Brown Bookstore: The Future Is Ours, S. Bowler and G. M. Segura (CQ Press 2012). Latino Politics, L. García Bedolla (Polity 2009). The Trouble with Unity : Latino Politics and the Creation of Identity, C. Beltrán (Oxford 2010). Ethnic Cues : The Role of Shared Ethnicity in Latino Political Participation, M. A. Barreto (Michigan 2010). Campaigning to the New American Electorate : Advertising to Latino Voters, M. A. Abrajano (Stanford 2010). Immigration and the Border : Politics and Policy in the New Latino Century, D. L. Leal and J. E. Limón, eds. (Notre Dame 2012). Black-Latino Relations in U.S. National Politics : Beyond Conflict or Cooperation, R. E. Hero and R. R. Preuhs (Cambridge 2013). Recommended Books ( ) The following books are not required, but are promising sources for extended research and study in the field of Latino politics. They can be found in Rockefeller Library or via Interlibrary Loan. Please see a librarian for instructions. From among these titles, you may select two for your in-class professional presentation. The Latina Advantage: Gender, Race, and Political Success, C. Bejarano (Texas 2013). Reform Without Justice: Latino Migrant Politics and the Homeland Security State, A. Gonzalez (Oxford 2013). Mobilizing Opportunities : The Evolving Latino Electorate and the Future of American Politics, R. Ramirez (Virginia 2013). The Roots of Latino Urban Agency, S. A. Navarro and R. Rosales (North Texas 2013). Latino Politics in America: Community, Culture, and Interests, 2 nd Ed. J. A. Garcia (Rowman & Littlefield 2011). Oversight : Representing the Interests of Blacks and Latinos in Congress, M. D. Minta (Princeton 2011). Latino Lives in America: Making It Home. L. Fraga, J. A. García, G. M. Segura, M. Jones-Correa, R. Hero, and V. Martinez-Ebers (Temple 2010). Encountering American Faultlines: Race, Class, and Dominican Experience in Providence. J. Itzigsohn (Russell Sage Foundation 2009). Hispanics and the U.S. Political System: Moving into the Mainstream. F. C. Garcia and G. R. Sanchez (Prentice Hall 2008). Políticas: Latina Public Officials in Texas. S. R. García, V. Martinez-Ebers, I. Coronado, S. A. Navarro, and P. A. Jaramillo (Texas 2008). Latino Politics: Identity, Mobilization, and Representation. R. Espino, D. L. Leal, and K. J. Meier, eds. (Virginia 2007). Democracy s Promise: Immigrants and American Civic Institutions. J. Wong (Michigan 2006). Latinos in New England. Andrés Torres, ed. (Temple 2006).

4 Page 4 Ethnic Studies 1890A Seminar on Latino Politics in the U.S. Fluid Borders: Latino Power, Identity, and Politics in Los Angeles. L. García Bedolla (California 2005). Black and Latino/a Politics: Issues in Political Development in the United States, W. E. Nelson, Jr. and J. Lavariega Monforti, eds. (Barnhardt & Ashe 2005). Latino Political Power. K. Geron (Lynne Rienner 2005). The Illusion of Inclusion: The Untold Political Story of San Antonio. R. Rosales (Texas 2000). Between Two Nations: The Political Predicament of Latinos in New York City. M. Jones- Correa (Cornell 1998). Pursuing Power: Latinos and the Political System. F. C. Garcia, ed. (Notre Dame 1997). Barrio Ballots: Latino Politics in the 1990 Elections. R. O. de la Garza, M. Menchaca, and L. DeSipio, eds. (Westview 1994). Latina Politics, Latino Politics: Gender, Culture, and Political Participation. C. Hardy- Fanta (Temple 1993). Latinos and the U.S. Political System: Two-Tiered Pluralism. R. E. Hero (Temple 1992). Latino Voices: Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban Perspectives on American Politics. R. de la Garza, L. DeSipio, F. C. Garcia, J. Garcia, and A. Falcón (Westview 1992). CLASS SCHEDULE WITH READING ASSIGNMENTS UNIT I THE LATINO POLITICAL EMERGENCE, /4/13 Introduction and Course Overview 9/11/13 Latinos in Context: Racial Transformation in the 21 st Century Reading assignment: Selected chapters from Bowler and Segura. 9/18/13 The Meaning of Latino National Origin, Mobilization, Empowerment Reading assignment: Selected chapters from García Bedolla. FIRST ESSAY DUE: WHAT S SO SPECIAL ABOUT LATINO POLITICS, ANYWAY? UNIT II LATINO IDENTITY AND U.S. POLITICS 9/25/13 Diversity and Democracy in Latino Politics Reading assignment: Selected chapters from Beltrán. 10/2/13 The Creation of Identity Reading assignment: Selected chapters from Beltrán. 10/9/13 Co-Ethnicity, Linked Fate, and Electoral Participation Reading assignment: Selected chapters from Barreto. 10/16/13 Ethnic and Racial Stereotypes in the Political Media Reading assignment: Selected chapters from Abrajano. SECOND ESSAY DUE: THE POLITICAL USE AND ABUSE OF IDENTITY

5 Fall 2013 Page 5 UNIT III MID-SEMESTER MIKE CHECK: LATINO IDENTITY AT BROWN 10/23/13 Discussion: The History and Politics of Brown s Latino Student Community Research assignment: One-page research report, on some aspect of Latino student history at Brown, UNIT IV IMMIGRATION AND RACE IN LATINO POLITICS 10/30/13 Immigration and Political Competition Reading assignment: Selected chapters from Leal and Limón. 11/6/13 Immigration and Cultural Renewal Reading assignment: Selected chapters from Leal and Limón. 11/13/13 Race and Power in the United States Reading assignment: Selected chapters from Hero and Preuhs. 11/20/13 Linked Fate, Coalition Formation, and Empowerment Reading assignment: Selected chapters from Hero and Preuhs. THIRD ESSAY DUE: LATINO RACIALIZATION AND RACE RELATIONS 11/27/13 NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 12/4/13 FINAL DISCUSSION IN-CLASS PRESENTATIONS AND RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHIES DUE

6 Page 6 Ethnic Studies 1890A Seminar on Latino Politics in the U.S. ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT OPTIONS 1) Bibliographic Essay Option: Political history of Puerto Rican, Mexican American, or other Latino community You may choose to write a bibliographic research essay and literature review, exploring some aspect of the Puerto Rican, Mexican American, or other Latino community s political life. This bibliographic essay will focus on a single theme, and annotate the literature on that theme. Your bibliography will be distributed to the seminar on December 4, and your completed bibliographic essay must be turned in no later than December 11. 2) In-Class Presentation Option: Research Review, from Supplemental Texts A second option is an in-class presentation. Your presentation will summarize research findings from any TWO of the titles in the Recommended Book list. Did you find that the books conclusions reinforce, or contradict, one another? Your final, polished and professional presentation will be delivered to the class at our final meeting, on December 4.