General Information
Professor: Dr. Carla Guerrón-Montero
Class Hours and Room: MWF 9:05-9:55 am PRN 227
Office and Phone: 105 Munroe Hall (x3362)
Office Hours: 2:30-5:00 pm MW
E-mail Address: cguerron@udel.edu
This syllabus contains detailed information about the requirements of this class. Please refer to it to fulfill your reading and writing assignments, and for any other question you have in regards to this class. Please be very careful in following ALL of the instructions of this syllabus to write your assignments appropriately.
Course Description
This course studies the multiplicity of cultural and linguistic groups of Mexico and Central America within modern nation-states from an anthropological perspective. It focuses on issues of gender, race, class and culture, and discusses the historical, political, economic and social experiences of these groups, with special attention to their ethnic diversity and unity. Main themes covered in this class include politics of mestizaje, gender relations, migration and globalization, and political movements.
Required Texts
Available at the University of Delaware Bookstore:
- GUTMANN, Matthew C. 1996. The Meanings of Macho: Being a Man in Mexico City. Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press.
- IGLESIAS PRIETO, Norma. 1997. Beautiful Flowers of the Maquiladora. Translated by Michael Stone with Gabrielle Winkler. Austin: University of Texas Press.
- LEON-PORTILLA, Miguel. 1992. The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico. Boston: Beacon Press.
- WINN, Peter. 1999. Americas: The Changing Face of Latin America and the Caribbean. Updated Edition. Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press.
Course Requirements
| Participation | 100 points |
| In-class exams | 200 points |
| Community-based activity essay | 150 points |
| Community activity group presentation | 200 points |
| Final paper outline | 100 points |
| Final research paper | 250 points |
| TOTAL | 1000 points |
Participation: Students are expected to come to each class prepared, and to have read the materials assigned prior to coming to class. Discussion and comments are strongly encouraged. In addition, students will engage in in-class writing exercises several times throughout the semester. These exercises will be counted as part of the participation grade and cannot be taken at a later date or substituted for any other exercise or activity. This class has no attendance policy.
In-Class Tests: There will be two in-class tests, one on Wednesday October 12, 2005, and one on Monday November 21, 2005. The tests will cover the material discussed in class and the readings up to that date. Tests are not cumulative, but it is expected that students will make connections between the material covered during the first and second part of the semester in the second in-class test. The format of the tests will be short-essay questions.
Community-based Activity: As part of a community-based approach to learning, this class includes one community-based activity. This activity will allow students to relate the theoretical discussions and readings covered in class to the actual experiences of Central American and Mexican migrants in Delaware and its surrounding areas.
On the first week of classes, students will choose one of the five main topics covered in class (historical antecedents, politics of mestizaje, gender relations, and migration and globalization). Throughout the semester, students will conduct one activity that will allow them to come into contact with individuals or groups of Mexican and/or Central American descent (preferably first or second generation). Examples of activities to conduct include an interview with a person(s) of Mexican and/or Central American descent; a visit to a Latin American grocery store, restaurant, or facility that caters to a Mexican/Central American clientele; a visit to a farm or business that employs people of Mexican/Central American descent, among others). It is expected that in any activity chosen, students become in contact with individuals of Mexican and/or Central American descent, and engage in conversations with them. That is, mere observation of a farm, restaurant, or grocery store will not be considered sufficient to complete this assignment. Students will write a five-page essay narrating and analyzing their experiences (this essay is individual). Essay is due on Monday November 28, 2005.
Community-based Activity Presentation: During the first week of classes, students will form groups according to the topic chosen for their community-based activity. Each group will then present its collective experience to the class as a coherent unit, relating students’ individual experiences to the topics covered in class. Project presentations will be held from Week 14 to Week 15 and will last 20 minutes, with 5 minutes for questions and commentaries from the class and the instructor. Meeting time will be provided on Week 13; however, it is expected that students will meet outside class time for this project.
Groups are encouraged to be creative in their presentation style. Although a traditional presentation format is accepted, students may utilize alternative ways to discuss their findings, such as dramatizations or class participation exercises and to utilize audio-visual material (slides, videos, Power Point, etc).
Final Paper Outline: Students will hand in to the instructor a one-page outline of their final paper on Monday September 19, 2005 at 9:05 am. The outline should contain: title of the paper, subject discussed or justification, themes and sub-themes and tentative bibliography (a minimum of five scholarly sources should have been consulted to develop this outline). Students will also include a reflection on the relationship between the materials covered in class and the chosen topic for the paper. Students should be prepared to briefly share their chosen topic with the class.
Final Paper: For their final project, students will write a paper on a previously approved topic related to the class. Topics should deal with theoretical and practical discussions of any of the main topics covered in class (politics of mestizaje, gender relations, migration and globalization, and political movements). It is expected that students use sources from class readings as well as outside sources. Scholarly books and articles should be the main resource used (a minimum of ten scholarly sources should be used to write the final paper). Please limit your use of website information to a minimum.
The paper should be fifteen double-spaced pages, excluding title page and bibliography (minimum 10 point font size, maximum 12 point font size, Times New Roman or equivalent font) and it should contain: title page, introduction, body of the paper (themes and sub-themes), conclusion, and bibliography. Citations should be made following the guidelines that are appropriate to the student’s field of study. Paper content, accuracy and fluency are equally important. Misuse of language will result in loss of points. Students may hand in a rough draft of the paper by Monday November 7, 2005 at 9:05 am for feedback (rough draft is not mandatory). Final research paper is due on Wednesday December 7 at 9:05 am.
All written assignments in class should be of very high quality in terms of form and content. Points will be deducted for problems with syntax and orthography in papers; consequently, it is recommended that you proofread your assignments before turning them in. Consider making an appointment with the UD Writing Center (302-831-1168) or dropping in at 016 Memorial Hall for proofreading of your work and other suggestions regarding writing essays and research papers.
Special Considerations
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY. Please refer to the General Statement of Policies and Procedures for Students in Anthropology (attached to this syllabus) for information on academic dishonesty. It is the student’s responsibility to read and understand this document.
NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. All assignments should be turned in at the beginning of the class period of the date in which the assignment is due. Assignments received after the class period of the day the assignment is due will automatically lose 15% of the possible points. The instructor will not accept any other assignments received after the day in which the assignment is due. Since dates for assignments are given in advance and will not be changed, please plan to hand in your work on time.
EXTRA CREDIT, INCOMPLETES AND GRADING SCALE. No extra credit assignments will be given to individuals. No incompletes will be given to individuals, unless under verifiable strenuous medical or family situations. A curve will not be used to determine grading.
OFFICE HOURS POLICY. The instructor holds five office hours per week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 5:00 pm. Students should attempt to talk to the instructor within those hours for questions in relationship to this class. If an appointment outside of that time is necessary, please email the instructor to set up such appointment in advance.
If you have a documented disability requiring academic adjustments for this class, please contact the American With Disabilities Act Office (302-831-3670) or dfarris@udel.edu. The ADA Office personnel will review your documentation with you and help determine appropriate, reasonable accommodations. Following the meeting with ADA personnel, please make an appointment with me, as your instructor, to discuss your accommodation request in light of the course requirements. You may self-disclose and request an academic adjustment any time during the semester. However, I strongly recommend that you do so as soon as possible because adequate lead-time is required for reasonable accommodations.
Course Outline
PART I. Historical Antecedents
Week One– August 30 to September 2, 2005
· Introduction of instructor and students
· Historical Antecedents: Pre-Columbian times and conquest
· Video: The Aztecs
· Readings:
- León Portilla’s The Broken Spears, Introduction and Chapters 1 to 7
Week Two- September 5 to September 9, 2005
· Historical Antecedents: Pre-Columbian times and conquest
· Readings:
- León Portilla’s The Broken Spears, Chapter 8 to 16
· (Monday September 5: Labor Day holiday, no classes)
Week Three- September 12 to September 16, 2005
· Historical Antecedents: Colonial Times
· Video: Americas
· Readings:
- Winn’s Americas, Chapters 1 and 2 (all)
PART II. Politics of Mestizaje
Week Four-September 19 to September 23, 2005
. Politics of Mestizaje
. Video: Mirrors of the Heart
. The “Cosmic Race”
. Readings:
- Winn’s Americas, Chapters 7 and 8 (all)
· (Monday September 19, 2005: Final paper outline due)
Week Five- September 26 to September 30, 2005
. The “Other” Contributions to Mestizaje
. Video: The Turtle People
. Readings:
- Winn’s Americas, Chapter 12
PART III. Gender Relations
Week Six - October 3 to October 7, 2005
.Women’s Issues and Machismo
. Video: In Women’s Hands
. Readings:
- Gutmann’s The Meanings of Macho, pp.1-88
Week Seven- October 10 to October 14, 2005
. Machismo and Marianismo
. Mid-semester class evaluations
. Readings:
- Winn’s Americas, Chapter 9
- Gutmann’s The Meanings of Macho, pp. 89-263
· (Wednesday October 12, 2005: In-Class Test No. 1)
PART IV. Migration and Globalization
Week Eight - October 17 to October 21, 2005
. Migration Issues
. Readings:
- Winn’s Americas, Chapter 6 and 14 (all)
Week Nine and Ten- October 24 to November 4, 2005
. Migration and Globalization
. Video: Uneasy Neighbors
. Readings:
- Iglesias Prieto’s Beautiful Flowers of the Maquiladora (Week 9: pp. 1-45; Week 10: pp. 46-106)
· (Friday October 28: Fall break; no classes)
PART V. Political Movements
Week Eleven to Thirteen- November 7 to November 25, 2005
· Civil Society Movements
. Videos: We are Kuna and Zapatista
. Class evaluations
. Readings:
- Winn’s Americas, Chapter 10 (all) (Week 11) and Chapter 13 (all) (Week 12)
. (Monday November 7, 2005: Last day to turn in final paper draft--optional)
·(Monday November 21, 2005, 2005: In-Class Test No. 2)
· (Wednesday November 23-Friday November 25, 2005: Thanksgiving break; no classes)
Part VI. Project Presentations and Conclusions
Week Fourteen and Fifteen- November 28 to December 7
. Community-based activity group presentations
. Conclusions
. Readings:
- Winn’s Americas, Epilogue
. (Monday November 28, 2005: Community-based activity essay due)
. (Wednesday December 7, 2005: Final paper due)
Grades will be available during finals week.
Grading
POINTS SCALE FOR MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA
| Scale | Letter |
| 1000-966 | A+ |
| 965-932 | A |
| 931-900 | A- |
| 899-866 | B+ |
| 865-832 | B |
| 931-800 | B- |
| 799-766 | C+ |
| 765-732 | C |
| 731-700 | C- |
| 699-666 | D+ |
| 665-632 | D |
| 631-600 | D- |
| Below 600 | F |