Spring 2006

E 314V • Mexican American Literature and Culture

Course Description

This course will provide an introduction to contemporary Mexican American literature produced in the United States Southwest.

Grading Policy

Atendance and Participation 25%
First paper (8-10 pages) 20%
Second paper (8-10 pages) 25%
Two in-class oral presentations (5-7 minutes each) on readings 10%
There are two options for the remaining 20% of the grade:
1) Attend or participate in three live local events pertaining to Mexican American literature and culture. Examples are a poetry reading, a play, book release, dance, musical performance, public protest, tamalada, or public forum. A film, without more, normally will not fulfill this requirement. One of these three events may be on the University of Texas campus. Students who choose this option will write two 1-2 page reports and do two oral reports on the events.
2) Participate in a community service project designed in consultation with a community organization and the instructor. Students who choose this option will write one 1-2 page report and do one oral presentation.

Texts

A course reader
Arturo Islas, The Rain God (1984)
Cherrëe Moraga, Watsonville: Someplace Not Here and Circle in the Dirt: El Pueblo de East Palo Alto (2002)
Teresa Palomo Acosta, Nile and other poems, (1999)
Denise Chávez, Loving Pedro Infante (2001)
T.J. Cuevas, Otherhood, U.S.A. (2001)
Lorenzo Herrera y Lozano, Santo con la pata alzada (2005)
Raymond Williams, Marxism and Literature (1977)

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