POS 498

Latino Political Behavior

Arizona State University

Spring 2005

 

Professor Adrian D. Pantoja                                                                        Meets:

Lattie Coor Hall 6772                                                                       Tuesday & Thursday

Office Hours: Mon. 9:30-11:00am                                                   9:15-10:30am

Adrian.Pantoja@asu.edu                                                                  Coor L1-38

(480) 965-1333

 

I. COURSE OVERVIEW

 

According to Census 2000 estimates, Latinos are now the largest minority in the U.S.  At over 35 million, the U.S. now has the fifth largest Spanish-speaking Latino population in the world, below Mexico, Spain, Colombia, and Argentina.  In addition to the size of the Latino population, their concentration in states such as California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois make them key players in determining presidential outcomes.  As a result of this demographic growth pundits and researchers have begun exploring the political potential of this group.  Yet, knowledge about this growing electorate remains scarce.  The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the study of Latino politics in the U.S.  Different forms of political activities, ranging from electoral behavior to more participatory expressions such as political art, music, and theater will be examined.  By the end of this course students will be familiar with the political histories, behaviors, and opinions of the three largest Latino ethnic groups in the United States: Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans. 

 

II. REQUIRED TEXTS

 

• These books are available for purchase at the bookstore

1. Garcia, Ignacio M. 1998. Chicanismo: The Forging of a Militant Ethos among Mexican Americans. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press
2. Garcia, John A. 2003. Latino Politics in America, Community, Culture, and Interests. New York: Rowman and Littlefield.  
3. Hardy-Fanta, Carol. 1993. Latina Politics, Latino Politics. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
4. Linda Chavez. 1991. Out of the Barrio. Basic Books Press.
5. Melendez, Miguel. 2003. We Took The Streets, Fighting For Latino Rights With The Young Lords. New York. St. Martin’s Press. 
6. Vaca, Nicolas. 2004. The Presumed Alliance, The Unspoken Conflict Between Latinos and Blacks and What it Means for America. New York: HarperCollins.

 

III. REQUIREMENTS

 

• There will be two in-class exams.  Each exam is worth 20 points and will consist of one or two essay questions.  In order to provide a complete answer, students must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the readings and materials covered in class. 
• Students are required to write a 15-page research paper on any topic related to Latino politics (see the end of the syllabus for examples).  Detailed instructions on the research paper will be discussed later in the class.  The paper is worth 40 points. 
• Since this is an “L” course, participation is a requirement.  It is imperative that you have done the readings and be prepared to discuss the materials.  Participation is worth 20 percent of your grade. 

 

IV. EVALUATION AND GRADING SCALE

 

Mid-Term Exam         20 points                    90-100%         A

Final Exam                  20 points                    80-89%           B

Research Paper          40 points                    70-79%           C

Participation              20 points                    60-69%           D

                        59%-below     F

Total               100 points

 

V.  GENERAL POLICIES

 

• Attendance is required.  Since in-class participation is an important component of this class, unexcused absences will hurt your participation grade. 
• Anything handed in late will be marked down one letter grade.  Do not e-mail me any assignments.  If you are planning to miss class the day an assignment is due, make sure a friend or classmate hands in the assignment on your behalf. 
• Rude and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated (this includes coming late to class, cell phones ringing, talking during lectures, etc.,).  If you consistently engage in either, your participation grade will suffer and if it continues you may be dropped from the course. 
• Plagiarism or cheating will not be tolerated.  Anyone caught doing either will fail the course and possibly receive other disciplinary actions as required by Arizona State University.  If you have any questions on what constitutes plagiarism please see me before you hand in your research paper. 
• Students are encouraged to meet with me during office hours to discuss any of the materials covered in class or review for exams.
• The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus.

 

VI. COURSE SCHEDULE

 

1.                Introduction

(Jan. 18)

·         No readings

 

2.                Immigration, Diversity and Minority Politics in American Politics

(Jan. 20)

·        Chpts. 1 & 9, Latino Politics in America

 

3.                Basic Latino Demographics

(Jan. 25)

·         Chpts. 3 & 4, Latino Politics in America

 

4.                Ethnic Identity and Politics

(Feb. 1)

·         Chpt. 2, Latino Politics in America

 

5.                Chicano/Mexican American Political History and Participation

(Feb. 3 to Feb. 24)

·         Chpt 4., pgs 52-57, Latino Politics in America

·         Chicanismo, The Forging of a Militant Ethos among Mexican Americans

·         Handout: “Chicano: Radicals Recall ’69 Movement” Los Angeles Times

·         Handout: “From Minority to Mainstream, Latinos Find Their Voice.” The Washington Post. 

·         Video: Chicano! The History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement.

 

6.                Discuss Research Papers

(March 1)

 

7.                Boricua/Puerto Rican Political History and Participation

(March 3-10)

·         We Took The Streets, Fighting For Latino Rights With The Young Lords

·         Video: Palante! The Young Lords, A Documentary

 

8.                Mid-Term Exam

(March 22)

 

9.                Cuban American Political History and Participation

(March 24)

·         Handout: sections from Havana USA

 

10.            Central Americans & Other Latino Populations

(March 29)

·         Handout: sections from Seeking Community in a Global City

 

10.            Latino Voting Behavior

(March 31)

·         Chpts. 6 & 7, Latino Politics in America

 

11.            Electoral Systems and Voting Rights

(April 5)

·         Chpt. 10, Latino Politics in America

 

12.            The Rise of Latino Candidates and Lawmakers

(April 7)

·         Chpt. 8, Latino Politics in America

 

13.            Latino & African American Relations

(April 12,14)

·         The Presumed Alliance

 

14.            Latina Politics

(April 19,21)

·         Latina Politics, Latino Politics

 

15.            Non-Electoral Political Behavior: Art and Politics

(April 26)

·         Handout: “Murals in Latino Communities: Social Indicators of Community Strength.” By Melvin Delgado and Keva Barton Social Work (1998). 

·         Video:  Culture Clash’s ‘Bowel of Beings: Revolutionary Comedy

 

16.            Latinos and the Politics of Assimilation

(April 28)

·         Linda Chavez, Out of the Barrio

 

17.              Review, Unfinished Business

(May 3)

·         Research Papers Due

18.            Final Exam

(May)

 

LATINO WEBSITES

 

http://politicomagazine.com/

general Latino political issues

http://www.svrep.org/

Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project

http://www.trpi.org/

Tomas Rivera Policy Institute

http://www.naleo.org/

National Association of Latino Elected Officials

http://www.nclr.org/

National Council of La Raza

http://www.maldef.org/

Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund

http://www.prldef.org/

Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund

http://www.canfnet.org/

Cuban American National Foundation

http://www.chci.org/

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

http://www.lulac.org/

League of Latin American Citizens

http://www.lif.org/

Latino Issues Forum

http://www/jsri.msu.edu/

Julian Samora Research Institute

http://www.centropr.org/

Puerto Rican Studies Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POSSIBLE RESEARCH TOPICS

 

1.       A case study on a significant Historical Latino/a figure (Cesar Chavez, Jose Angel Gutierrez, Rodolfo Corky Gonzales, Dolores Huerta, Reies Lopez Tijerina, Ruben Salazar)

 

2.      A case study on a significant Historical Latino organization (Young Lords Party, LULAC, GI Forum, UFW, La Raza Unida Party, etc.,)

 

3.      A Case study on a significant event in Latino history ( Zoot Suit Riots, Latino participation in the armed forces/conflicts, Repatriation drives)

 

4.      Analyze a contemporary Latino/a civic organization such as Southwest Voter Registration and Education Fund, Cuban American National Foundation, Mothers of East LA etc.,

 

5.      Analyze Latino/a Transnational Political Ties with their countries of origin

 

6.      Do a case study on a Latino population not studied in this class (Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Dominicans, Colombians, Peruvians etc.,)

 

7.      Non-electoral political behavior among Latinos (e.g. political art, theater, music)

 

8.      Ethnic identity/consciousness, pan-ethnicity and its political consequences

 

9.      Minority coalitions, Race Relations

 

10.   Analyze a contemporary public policy issue facing Latinos (education, immigration, digital divide, health, substance abuse, gangs, etc.,)

 

11.    Latino Youth, political socialization

 

12.   Political Parties and Latinos

 

13.   Latino Candidates/Hispanic Elected Officials

 

14.   Study the growth of the Latino electorate, obstacles to political empowerment

 

15.   A Latino Public Opinion study

 

16.   Religion, Latinos, and Politics

 

17.   Any other topic related to Latino politics