Political Science 308.001
Professor Christine Sierra
University of New Mexico
HISPANICS IN U.S. POLITICS
This course presents an overview of Hispanic Americans and their role in the U.S. political system. The Hispanic, or Spanish-origin, population constitutes the second largest ethnic group in the U.S. and one of the fastest growing. While a part of U.S. politics historically, Hispanics are increasing in their visibility and influence in American politics, at the local, state, and national levels.
This course examines the political status and political behavior of Hispanics, or Latinos. The politics of the three largest U.S. Latino groups--those of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban origin--will be examined. Topics addressed include the history and demography of the U.S. Latino population, political beliefs and voting behavior, interest groups and coalitions, political representation in national, state, and city politics, and public policies of special concern to Latinos. The course also compares and contrasts theoretical approaches to the study of Latino politics, with a special emphasis on the politics of gender.
REQUIRED TEXTS
(FCG) F. Chris Garcia, ed. Latinos and the Political System. University of Notre Dame Press, 1988.
Rodney E. Hero, Latinos and the U.S. Political System: Two-Tiered Pluralism. Temple University Press, 1992.
Carol Hardy-Fanta, Latina Politics, Latino Politics: Gender, Culture, and Political Participation in Boston. Temple University Press, 1993.
Benjamin Marquez, LULAC: The Evolution of a Mexican American Political Organization. University of Texas Press, 1993.
Supplemental Reading
In addition to the required texts, a supplemental reading list will be distributed. Graduate students will be required to read these works. Undergraduates may select one or more in preparing their paper assignments (discussed below).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Participation
The class will be taught as an upper division undergraduate course, addressing both the theory and practice of Latino politics. It will consist of both lecture and discussion. A high level of exchange is expected between the instructor and students. Consequently, it is imperative that students keep up with the assigned reading. Students are expected to read the assignments before they come to the class meeting for which they have been assigned. Class participation--and attendance--will affect the course grade.
Group Presentations
Students will work in teams of 3 to design a presentation to the class on a specific course topic. The presentation should address the reading assignment for one of our weekly topics, but the presentation should also incorporate additional material gathered from outside reading or research. Students must consult with the instructor for approval of presentation topics. Group presentations will count for 25% of the final grade.
Analytical Papers
Two analytical papers on the course material will be required. The papers will respond to a question posed by the instructor. Papers must be at least 5 - 7 pages, double-spaced, with 1" margins on all sides. Staple only, no folders. Each paper will count for 25% of the course grade.
Final Exam
A final exam (multiple choice) will be given on Monday, December 12, 1994. The exam will be comprehensive and cumulative. The final will count for 25% of the course grade.
COURSE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS
Week 1: August 22
Introduction
FCG, pp. 1-5
Hero, Ch. 1
Week 2: August 29
An Overview of Contemporary Latino Politics -Ethnic Labeling -A Demographic Profile
Hero, pp. 58-60, and Ch.3
FCG, Ch. 2 (Estrada, et.al.)
Week 3: September 5
NO CLASS, but READ
FCG, Chs. 3 (Jennings), 4 (Torres), 5 (Santillan)
Week 4: September 12
The History & Politics of Mexican Americans: A Generational Approach
The Mexican American Generation
Marquez, Chs. 1,2,3
Week 5: September 19
History & Politics of Mexican Americans, cont'd. The Chicano Generation/The Chicano Movement
FCG, Chs. 11 (Munoz & Barrera), 12 (Valdez)
Marquez, Ch. 4
Week 6: September 26
History & Politics of Mexican Americans, cont'd. The "Hispanic" Generation
Marquez, Chs. 5,6
FCG, Ch. 13 (O'Connor & Epstein)
Week 7: October 3
*First Paper Due
Theoretical Perspectives in the Study of Latino Politics
Hero, Ch. 2
Hardy-Fanta, Intro., Ch. 1
Week 8: October 10
Theoretical Perspectives, cont'd.
Hardy-Fanta, Chs. 2,3,4
Week 9: October 17
The Politics of Gender
Hardy-Fanta, Chs. 5,6, Conclusion
Week 10: October 24
Political Participation
Hero, Ch. 4
FCG, Chs. 6 (Garcia & Arce), 7 (Portes & Mozo)
Week 11: October 31
Political Participation, Electoral Structures
Hero, Ch. 7
FCG, Ch. 14 (Vigil), 19 (Santillan)
Week 12: November 7
*Second Paper Due
Latinos in National Politics
Hero, Ch. 5
FCG, Chs. 15 (Welch & Hibbing), 16 (Wieck), 17 (Pachon)
Week 13: November 14
Theories of Representation
FCG, 18 (de la Garza), 20 (Mindiola & Gutierrez)
Hero, Ch. 6
Week 14: November 21
City Politics
FCG, Chs. 8 (Falcon), 9 (Salces & Colby), 21 (Sekul)
Hero, Ch. 8
Week 15: November 28
Public Policy Issues
Hero, Ch. 9
FCG, Chs. 24 (de la Garza, et.al.), 25 (Rendon)
Week 16 December 5
Latino Politics: Future Directions and Concerns
Hero, Ch. 11
FCG, Chs. 26 (Santillan), 27 (Jennings)
Final Exam: Monday, December 12, 4:00 - 6:30 pm
HISPANICS IN U.S. POLITICS
Professor Christine Sierra
Political Science 308
Fall Semester, 1994
Supplemental Reading List
The readings below complement the required reading for PS 308. Graduate students are required to read all or most of this material. Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to select additional reading from this list, especially articles and book chapters. All students may find these selections useful when preparing their analytical papers.
Historical Studies
Acuna, Rodolf. Occupied America: A History of Chicanos. 3rd ed. Harper & Row, 1988
Garcia, Mario T. Mexican Americans: Leadership, Ideology, & Identity, 1930-1960. Yale University Press, 1989.
Montejano, David. Anglos and Mexicans in the Making of Texas, 1836-1986. University of Texas Press, 1987
Rosenbaum, Robert J. Mexicano Resistance in the Southwest: "The Sacred Right of Self-Preservation". University of Texas Press, 1981
Sierra, Christine Marie. "Chicano Political Development: Historical Considerations." In Eugene Garcia, Francisco Lomeli, and Isidro D. Ortiz, ed., Chicano Studies: A Multidisciplinary Approach. New York: Teachers College Press, Columbia University, 1984, pp 79-98.
The Chicano Movement
Garcia, Ignacio M. United We Win: The Rise and Fall of La Raza Unida Party. Mexican American Studies Research Center, University of Arizona, 1989.
Carlos Munoz, Jr. Youth, Identity, Power: The Chicano Movement. Verso Press, 1989.
Theoretical Perspectives
Michael Omi and Howard Winant. Racial Formation in the United States: From the 1960's to the 1980's. Routledge Press, 1986.
The Politics of Gender
Christine Marie Sierra and Adaljiza Sosa-Riddell. "Chicanas as Political Actors: Rare Literature, Complex Practice. "National Political Science Review, Vol. 4 (1994): 297-317. {See bibliography for additional sources.}
Zavalla, Patricia. "The Politics of Race and Gender: Organizing Chicana Cannery Workers in Northern California." In Ann Bookman and Sandra Morgen, eds. Women and the Politics of Empowerment. Temple University Press, 1988.
Contemporary Politics
De la Garza, Rodolfo O., L. DeSipio, F.C. Garcia, J. Garcia, and A. Falcon. Latino Voices: Mexican, Puerto Rican, & Cuban Perspectives on American Politics. Westview Press, 1992.
Still Looking for America: Beyond the Latino National Political Survey, A report Prepared by the Public Outreach Project, Stanford Center for Chicano Research, Stanford University, January 1994.
De La Garza and Louis DeSipio, eds. From Rhetoric to Reality: Latino Politics in the 1988 Elections. Westview Press, 1992.
Villarreal, Roberto E. and Norma G. Hernandez, eds. Latinos and Political Coalitions: Political Empowerment for the 1990's. Greenwood Press, 1991.
Christine Marie Sierra. "Latino Organizational Strategies on Immigration Reform: Success and Limits in Public Policymaking." In Villarreal and Hernandez, ed., Latinos and Political Coalitions, pp. 61-80.
Additional Sources
Articles in journals in the social sciences are another good source of information. Journals that publish work on Hispanics include: Aztlan, Social Science Quarterly, Western Political Quarterly--now retitled Political Research Quarterly, Latino Studies Journal.