Latino Studies

fall06

Fall 2006 Course Offerings:

Latinos and the American Dream (FWS) - LSP 105 (also SPANL 105). Politicians, media personalities, and school teachers regularly invoke the myth of the American Dream, the cultural ideal that defines the promise of life in the U.S., but a more complex and critical view of the dream emerges in the work of contemporary Latino and other ethnic writers. We will examine these views which use alterate, racial/ethnic histories, languages, values, religions and competing symbols to question and restage the dream in contemporary America. Readings may include: Tato Laviera's "AmeRican," Cristina Garcia's Dreaming in Cuban, drama selections by various Latino Writers and Gish Jen's Typeical American. Writing requirements: A reading journal and a variety of informal/formal writing assignments. Instructor: L. Carrillo. TR 8:40 - 9:55. 3.00 credits.

East Coast Latina/os: Cuban, Dominican, and Puerto Rican Literature in a Comparative Context (FWS) - LSP 158 (also ENGL 158.02). In this seminar we will read a variety of pieces -- short stories, essays, and poetry from contemporary U.S. based Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Cuban authors. We will spend some time learning about the histories of each of these roups in the United States and look closely at issues of race, gender, sexuality, nationality, and ethnicity in a comparative context. Fiction readings will be supplemented with essays and interviews that engage with the literature. Writing assignments will be based on the readings and concentrate on developing organized, clear, and creative analytical essays. Readings will include works by Junot Diaz, Achy Obejas, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Esmeralda Santiago, Julia Alvarez, and Pedro Pietri. Instructor: Ariana Vigil. MWF 12:20 - 1:10. 3.00 credits.

Spanish for Bilinguals - LSP 202 (also SPANR 200). A course designed to expand bilingual student's knowledge of Spanish providing them with ample opportunities to develop and improve each of the basic language skills. Prerequisite: LPS score 56 or higher, SAT II 590 or higher, CASE placement, or permission of instructor. Instructor: Alicia Munoz. MWF 11:15-12:05. 4.00 credits.

Sociology of Health and Ethnic Minorities - LSP 220 (also DSOC 220). This course is a critical introduction to the study of the sociology of health by examining the health status of ethnic minorities. The primary goal of this course is to understand the determinants in the health status as well as access and utilization of health services of Latino and other ethnic minorities in the U.S. We will cover the following areas: 1). The distribution of illness by social and demographic factors, and the social forces affecting inter-group differences; 2). ethnicity, culture, and environment as contributors to health risks, and/or protective behaviors; 3). the organization of the health system and its allocation of resources in the health services; 4). the access to and utilization of health care services by ethnic minorities. Instructor: Pilar Parra. TR 10:10 - 11:25. 3.00 credits.

Contemporary Narratives by Latina Writers - LSP 246 (also SPANL 246 and FGSS 246). This course offers a survey of narratives, including novels, short fiction, essays, political/feminist manifestos and memoirs by representative Latina writers of various Latino ethnic groups in the United States and the Americas including, Chicana, Chilean, Cuban, Dominican, and Puerto Rican among others. We will investigate the parallel development of a Latina perspective on personal, social and cultural issues alongside that of the U.S. ethnic liberation/revitalization movements of the 1960's through to contemporary feminist activism and women of color movements. We will investigate these works as artistic attempts to deal with issues of culture, language and bilingualism, family, gender, sexuality and domesticity among others. Instructor: Loretta Carrillo. TR 11:40 - 12:55.3.00 credits.

Latinos in the US: Colonial Period to 1898- LSP 260 (also HIST 260 and AMST 259). This course examines the history of various Latino populations in the United States up to 1898. Some of the topics we will discuss include the Spanish exploration and settlement of North America; the impact US territorial expansion on Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans; the historical-structural factors that influenced 19th century migration; the role of race and class in shaping a national and thenic identity;a nd the transnational influence of immigrant communities on their homelands. Instructor: Maria Cristina Garcia. TR 1:25-2:40. 4.00 credits.

The Private I and the Public Eye: Exploring Latino/a Identity in Poetry, Fiction, and Non-Fiction - LSP 264 (also ENGL 264). For the most part literary theories have assumed that autobiography (the private) and the political (the public) can be considered as separate or irreconcilable domains. This course, however, will explore ways that private expression can be used to investigate the political. Through studies of personal essays, poetry, and fiction, we'll read and discuss how Latino/a writers succeed in questioning or challenging boundary lines between public and private. We'll ask how they aspire, through their excavation of their own social location, to inspire their work. Using various genres introduced in class, students will have the opportunity to explore and ground their own understanding of identities. Authors may include: Norma Cantú, Alicia Gaspar de Alba, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Julia Alvarez, Gustavo Firmet, Elias Miguel Munoz, Luis Rodriguez. Instructor: Helena Viramontes. MWF 1:25 - 2:15. 4.00 credits.

Spanish Writing Workshop for Advanced English/Spanish Bilinguals - LSP 313 (also SPANR 313). This course is designed to expand bilingual students knowledge of Spanish by providing them with ample opportunities to develop and improve each of the basic language skills. This course is also available as 1-credit advanced writing workshop (SPANR 313) for bilinguals who need attention to their written accuracy. PREREQUISITE: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED CONCURRENTLY WITH LSP 202. Instructor: Nilsa Maldonado-Mendez. MWF 11:15 - 12:05. 1.00 credit.

US - Cuban Relations - LSP 405/605 (also HIST 405/605 and LAT A 405/605). The course examines the political, cultural, and economic relations between the United States and Cuba since the 18th century. Special attention is given to the transnational role of exiles and immigrants in shaping policy in both countries and across the region. Instructor: Maria Cristina Garcia. W 2:30-4:25. 4.00 credits.

Multicultural Issues in Education - LSP 451 (also EDUC 451). This course explores research on race, ethnicity and language in American education. It examines persistent patterns of inequality and differential achievement, minoirty youth resilience, and the cultural premises undergirding teaching and learning in school and families. Progammatic and pedagogical responses to diversity including bilingual and milticultural education are also addressed. Instructor: Sofia Villenas. MW 2:55 - 4:10. 3.00 credits.


fall06 Fall 2006 Course Offerings: Latinos and the American Dream (FWS) - LSP 105 (also SPANL 105). Politicians, media personalities, and school teachers regularly invoke the myth of the American Dream, the cultural ideal that defines the promise of life in the U.S., but a more complex and critical view of the dream emerges in the work of contemporary Latino and other ethnic writers. We will examine these views which use alterate, racial/ethnic histories, languages, values, religions and competing symbols to question and restage the dream in contemporary America. Readings may include: Tato Laviera's "AmeRican," Cristina Garcia's Dreaming in Cuban, drama selections by various Latino Writers and Gish Jen's Typeical American. Writing requirements: A reading journal and a variety of informal/formal writing assignments. Instructor: L. Carrillo. TR 8:40 - 9:55. 3.00 credits. East Coast Latina/os: Cuban, Dominican, and Puerto Rican Literature in a Comparative Context (FWS) - LSP 158 (also ENGL 158.02). In this seminar we will read a variety of pieces -- short stories, essays, and poetry from contemporary U.S. based Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Cuban authors. We will spend some time learning about the histories of each of these roups in the United States and look closely at issues of race, gender, sexuality, nationality, and ethnicity in a comparative context. Fiction readings will be supplemented with essays and interviews that engage with the literature. Writing assignments will be based on the readings and concentrate on developing organized, clear, and creative analytical essays. Readings will include works by Junot Diaz, Achy Obejas, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Esmeralda Santiago, Julia Alvarez, and Pedro Pietri. Instructor: Ariana Vigil. MWF 12:20 - 1:10. 3.00 credits. Spanish for Bilinguals - LSP 202 (also SPANR 200). A course designed to expand bilingual student's knowledge of Spanish providing them with ample opportunities to develop and improve each of the basic language skills. Prerequisite: LPS score 56 or higher, SAT II 590 or higher, CASE placement, or permission of instructor. Instructor: Alicia Munoz. MWF 11:15-12:05. 4.00 credits. Sociology of Health and Ethnic Minorities - LSP 220 (also DSOC 220). This course is a critical introduction to the study of the sociology of health by examining the health status of ethnic minorities. The primary goal of this course is to understand the determinants in the health status as well as access and utilization of health services of Latino and other ethnic minorities in the U.S. We will cover the following areas: 1). The distribution of illness by social and demographic factors, and the social forces affecting inter-group differences; 2). ethnicity, culture, and environment as contributors to health risks, and/or protective behaviors; 3). the organization of the health system and its allocation of resources in the health services; 4). the access to and utilization of health care services by ethnic minorities. Instructor: Pilar Parra. TR 10:10 - 11:25. 3.00 credits. Contemporary Narratives by Latina Writers - LSP 246 (also SPANL 246 and FGSS 246). This course offers a survey of narratives, including novels, short fiction, essays, political/feminist manifestos and memoirs by representative Latina writers of various Latino ethnic groups in the United States and the Americas including, Chicana, Chilean, Cuban, Dominican, and Puerto Rican among others. We will investigate the parallel development of a Latina perspective on personal, social and cultural issues alongside that of the U.S. ethnic liberation/revitalization movements of the 1960's through to contemporary feminist activism and women of color movements. We will investigate these works as artistic attempts to deal with issues of culture, language and bilingualism, family, gender, sexuality and domesticity among others. Instructor: Loretta Carrillo. TR 11:40 - 12:55.3.00 credits. Latinos in the US: Colonial Period to 1898- LSP 260 (also HIST 260 and AMST 259). This course examines the history of various Latino populations in the United States up to 1898. Some of the topics we will discuss include the Spanish exploration and settlement of North America; the impact US territorial expansion on Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans; the historical-structural factors that influenced 19th century migration; the role of race and class in shaping a national and thenic identity;a nd the transnational influence of immigrant communities on their homelands. Instructor: Maria Cristina Garcia. TR 1:25-2:40. 4.00 credits. The Private I and the Public Eye: Exploring Latino/a Identity in Poetry, Fiction, and Non-Fiction - LSP 264 (also ENGL 264). For the most part literary theories have assumed that autobiography (the private) and the political (the public) can be considered as separate or irreconcilable domains. This course, however, will explore ways that private expression can be used to investigate the political. Through studies of personal essays, poetry, and fiction, we'll read and discuss how Latino/a writers succeed in questioning or challenging boundary lines between public and private. We'll ask how they aspire, through their excavation of their own social location, to inspire their work. Using various genres introduced in class, students will have the opportunity to explore and ground their own understanding of identities. Authors may include: Norma Cantú, Alicia Gaspar de Alba, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Julia Alvarez, Gustavo Firmet, Elias Miguel Munoz, Luis Rodriguez. Instructor: Helena Viramontes. MWF 1:25 - 2:15. 4.00 credits. Spanish Writing Workshop for Advanced English/Spanish Bilinguals - LSP 313 (also SPANR 313). This course is designed to expand bilingual students knowledge of Spanish by providing them with ample opportunities to develop and improve each of the basic language skills. This course is also available as 1-credit advanced writing workshop (SPANR 313) for bilinguals who need attention to their written accuracy. PREREQUISITE: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED CONCURRENTLY WITH LSP 202. Instructor: Nilsa Maldonado-Mendez. MWF 11:15 - 12:05. 1.00 credit. US - Cuban Relations - LSP 405/605 (also HIST 405/605 and LAT A 405/605). The course examines the political, cultural, and economic relations between the United States and Cuba since the 18th century. Special attention is given to the transnational role of exiles and immigrants in shaping policy in both countries and across the region. Instructor: Maria Cristina Garcia. W 2:30-4:25. 4.00 credits. Multicultural Issues in Education - LSP 451 (also EDUC 451). This course explores research on race, ethnicity and language in American education. It examines persistent patterns of inequality and differential achievement, minoirty youth resilience, and the cultural premises undergirding teaching and learning in school and families. Progammatic and pedagogical responses to diversity including bilingual and milticultural education are also addressed. Instructor: Sofia Villenas. MW 2:55 - 4:10. 3.00 credits.