"US Latina/o Senior Seminar," University of Maryland, Dr. Nancy Raquel Mirabal

Dr. Nancy Raquel Mirabal, Associate Professor

American Studies Department/U.S. Latino Studies Program

Office: 3329 Tawes, Office Hours: T 1-3pm and by appointment

USLT 488B: US Latina/o Senior Seminar

Course Description:

USLT 488B is the capstone seminar for the U.S. Latina/o Studies minor. The aim of the course is to sharpen and complicate your analytical, research, and writing skills by introducing you to the multiple methodologies that define the growing field of Latinx Studies. In consultation with me, your professor, you will choose a research topic, appropriate theory and method, collect data, compile a bibliography, analyze results, and write 20-25 page final research paper. As a seminar course this class will emphasize discussion, participation, readings, analysis, feedback, and peer-review.

The course is divided into two sections. The first, will introduce you to fundamental theories in Latinx Studies. These include migration, transnationalism, territoriality, race, sexuality, gender, translocality, labor, and diaspora. We will then examine how Latinx Studies scholars have employed methods such as ethnography, oral history, archival research, data collection, textual and discourse analysis, social documentation, literary criticism, first-person narrative, popular culture, mass media, and visual technologies, etc. to produce effective arguments and research.

The second part operates as a workshop where we will work together to help you formulate a solid research question, an effective argument and a methodology that best examines, proves, and complicates your thesis. After establishing your research question and project, you will be asked to submit drafts of your research paper to be peer-review and discussed in class. Attendance and preparation for this course is critical to your success. More than two unexcused absences will severely affect your grade. You must have readings completed and be ready to discuss them in class. All assignments must be completed on time. No later papers/assignments accepted.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course you will:

Critically interpret and apply Latina/o Studies scholarship to your research question.
Effectively analyze theoretical arguments.
Compile a bibliography of materials that speak to your research interests.
Produce research that engages with and contributes to the field of Latina/o Studies.
Cultivate excellent critical thinking skills.
Improve written and verbal communication skills.

Required Text:

Aviva Chomsky, Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal

(Boston: Beacon Press, 2014) ISBN: 978-0-8070-0167-7

Erika L. Sanchez, I am not your Perfect Mexican Daughter (Random House, 2017) ISBN: 978-1-5247-0048-5

All articles will be available via ELMS Canvas (in the Modules section).

Assignments: Grade Distribution: (100%)

Lead Discussion/Outlines (2): 5% each (10% total)

Final Research Paper* 20-25 pages: 50%

Final Research Oral presentations: 10%

Attendance/Preparation/Discussion/Meetings: 30%

*Note: Including Final Research Proposal, which encompasses: Research Question(s), Abstract, Proposal, and Bibliography.

Assessing the Archive: Why Latinx Studies?

WEEK ONE (January 29, 31)

What is Latinx Studies?: An Introduction to the Field and Research

WEEK TWO (February 5, 7)

Mapping the Field

Reading:

Vicki Ruiz, “Nuestra America: Latino History as United States History.” Journal

of American History, (2006).

Natalia Molina, “The Power of Racial Scripts: What the History of Mexican

Immigration to the U.S. Teaches Us About Relational Notions of Race.” LSJ

WEEK THREE (February 12, 14,)

Migration and the Politics of Citizenship

Readings:

Aviva Chomsky, Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal,

“Introduction-Chp. 3”

Cecilia Menjívar, “Illegality,” Keywords for Latina/o Studies.

WEEK FOUR (February 19, 21)

Readings:

Aviva Chomsky, Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal,

“Chp.4-8”

Arely M. Zimmerman, “Contesting Citizenship From Below: Central Americans

and the Struggle for Inclusion”. LSJ, Vol. 13, No. 1, (2015) 28-43.

Nicholas De Genova, “Citizenship,” Keywords for Latina/o Studies

Theory, Methods, and Practice

WEEK FIVE (February 26, 28)

Ethnography

Readings:

Anthony C. Ocampo “Making Masculinity: Negotiations of Gender Presentations

Among Latino Gay Men.” LSJ (2012)

Angela C. Stuesse, “Challenging the border patrol, human rights and

persistent inequalities: An ethnography of struggle in South Texas.” LSJ (2010)

Assignment: Research Proposal Draft Due

WEEK SIX (March 5, 7)

Oral Histories: Refugee, Documentation, and the Ongoing Immigration Debates

Readings:

Maya Pagni Barak, “The Power of Law: How Immigration Policy Shapes

Salvadorans’ Experience of Family and Motherhood.” Boza (ed.), Forced Out and Fenced In: Immigration Tales from the Field.

Maylei Blackwell, “Geographies of indigeneity: Indigenous migrant women’s

organizing and translocal politics of place.” LSJ (2017).

Assignment: Final Research Proposal Due

WEEK SEVEN (March 12, 14)

Interpreting Data Collection

Readings:

Victor Rios, “The Racial Politics of Youth Crime,” LSJ (2008)

Michael Hames-Garciá, “Incarceration,” Keywords for Latina/o Studies

Chris Girard et al, “The declining symbolic significance of the embargo for

South Florida’s Cuban Americans.” LSJ (2010)

Assignment: Work on Research Paper Drafts (i.e. outlines, research agendas, abstracts, timelines etc.)

Spring Break March 18-22

WEEK EIGHT (March 26, 28)

Textual and Content Analysis

Readings:

Yajaira M. Padilla, “The Central American Transnational Imaginary:

Defining Transnational and Gendered Contours of Central Americans Immigrant Experience.” LSJ (2013)

Ana Patricia Rodríguez, “Literature,” Keywords for Latina/o Studies.

Assignment:

Workshop: Work on Research Paper Drafts (i.e. outlines, research agendas, abstracts, timelines etc.)

WEEK NINE (April 2, 4)

Literature and Popular Culture

Reading:

Erika L. Sanchez I am not your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Research and Writing

WEEK TEN (April 9, 11): No Class

Assignment: Writing/Research

WEEK ELEVEN (April 16, 18): No Class

Assignment: Writing/Research

Mandatory meeting with Dr. Mirabal, April 16th.

WEEK TWELVE (April 23, 25): No Class

Assignment Writing/Research

Mandatory meeting with Dr. Mirabal, April 23rd.

WEEK THIRTEEN: (April 30, May 2) No Class

Assignment: Writing/Research

WEEK FOURTEEN (May 7, 9): In Class Presentations.

WEEK FIFTEEN (May 14) Final Paper Due May 14th