Spring 2008

MAS 374 • Chicano Educational Struggle - W

Course Description

The focus of "Chicano Educational Struggles" is on how the Chicano community (broadly defined) has sought to achieve educational equality and school success for its children. Both historical and contemporary analyses will be examined. Our coverage will be on those Mexican American individuals and organizations who sought to gain better educational conditions and outcomes. Such struggles have occurred, and continue to occur, in the contexts of (a) litigation, (b) advocacy organizations, (c) individual activists, (d) political demonstrations, and (e) legislation. A particular focus will be on Texas.

Contains a substantial writing component and fulfills part of the basic education requirement in writing. Includes cross-cultural content.Includes cross-cultural component.

Grading Policy

Students will submit three writing assignments, totaling 16 pages. Each student will submit the following writing assignments: (a) an autobiographical sketch of his/her schooling experiences; (b) a reaction paper to a video documentary; (c) a book review. Students will also take two midterm examinations. Although the class enrollment is too large to design the course around a conventional seminar, students will be given ample opportunities to give oral presentations and to engage in class discussions.

Exam #1 = 40% Exam #2 = 25% Book review = 10% Autobiographical sketch = 10% Reaction paper = 10% Class attendance and participation = 5%

Texts

San Miguel, G., Jr. (1987). "Let all of them take heed": Mexican Americans and the campaign for educational equality in Texas, 1910-1981. Austin: University of Texas Press. San Miguel, G. Jr., & Valencia, R.R. (1998). From the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to Hopwood: The educational plight and struggle of Mexican Americans in the Southwest. Harvard Educational Review, 68, 353-412. Class reader (compilation of photocopied readings).

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