Topics in Latina and Latino Social and Political Issues (392-0-1)
Topic
Latino Politics
Instructors
Jaime Dominguez
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-430: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
The surge in the Latino/a population has brought about profound economic, educational, and political implications for states, cities and the U.S. polity. As their electoral clout continues to grow, as evidenced by recent elections, Latinos/as will have the opportunity to exert greater influence in the politics and policies of our country.
This course will explore these implications and the histories, including the more contemporary social and political developments of Latino communities, in the United States from a comparative framework. We will focus on the political experiences of America's three largest groups of Latino-origin: Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans.
The first part of the course will examine the social construction of Latino identities and trace the historical experiences of all three groups, comparing the elements behind each group's migration and how those processes affect their incorporation in mainstream society. We also examine demographic resources and the impact of immigration on the politics of the Latino collective. Next, we turn to the development of a Latino politics, placing special emphasis on political attitudes, mobilization strategies and electoral participation. Lastly, we tackle public policy issues such as voting rights and language policy.
The question that we will return to throughout the course is the degree to which and under what circumstances it is appropriate to speak of a Latino community.
Registration Requirements
Students must have taken at least one 300-level course in any major/minor and have sophomore standing or beyond.
Attendance at first class required
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
No Freshmen
Learning Objectives
Students will learn to
Identify the Latino politics literature
Synthesize the arguments of Latino/a political power
Differentiate ethnic and regional differences in the Latino/a vote
Understand public policies and Latino/a political behavior
Class Materials (Required)
David Gutierrez. 1995. Walls and Mirrors: Mexican Americans, Mexican Immigrants and the Politics of Ethnicity. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN: 9780520202191.
Maria de los Angeles Torres. 1999. In the Land of Mirrors: Cuban Exile Politics in the United States. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. ISBN: 978-0472087884.
Gabriel R. Sanchez, Luis Ricardo Fraga and Ricardo Ramirez. 2020. Latinos and the 2016 Election. Michigan State University Press. ISBN: 9781611863611.
Lisa Garcia-Bedolla. 2005. Fluid Borders. Berkeley University of California Press. ISBN: 9780520243699.
Amalia Pallares and Nilda Flores-Gonzalez. 2010. Marcha: Latino Chicago and the Immigrant Rights Movement. ISBN: 978-0252077166
Class Notes
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
No Freshmen
Class Attributes
Interdisciplinary Distro-rules apply
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
Ethics & Values Distro Area