Chicano Studies 7: Mexicans in the History of the United States I: to 1850 Professor José A. Maldonado

Office Hours: Mondays- 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm; (818) 833-3412; maldonja@lamission.edu

SYLLABUS

This course traces the historical evolution of Mexicans and their institutions to 1850. It surveys the contributions of the Mexican-American to the United States with particular emphasis on the Southwest. The course will be divided into two sections: pre-Cuauhtemoc (up to 1519) and post-invasion (1519-1848).

Grading will be based on Class Participation, one Mid-Term Examination, a Final Exam, and five 2 – 4 page Essay Summaries (see attached for further explanation on the Essay Summaries). NOTE-- Check the Course Schedule Below for the Essay Summaries’ Due Dates. The examinations will be on the required readings.

Required Text:

Ornelas, Michael. Between the Conquests. Third Edition. Available at the bookstore, and Maldonado, JA. Chicano Studies 7 Course Reader.

Grading:

Participation 10%

Mid-Term 20%

Final Exam 20%

Essays (10 pts ea.) 50%

TOTAL 100%

Class Schedule

Week 1 (JUNE 11 - 15)

· Introduction to Xican@ Studies and History

· Pre-Cuauhtemoc Meso-American Civilization to the Olmecs

· The Classic Maya and Teotihuacan

FIRST ESSAY SUMMARY DUE: JUNE 15, 2007

Week 2 (JUNE 18 - 22)

· The Mixtecs, Toltecs, Aztecs and the founding of Mexico-Tenochtitlan

· Europe and the Iberian World in 1492: The Spanish Expeditions

MID-TERM STUDY GUIDE AVAILABLE THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2007.

SECOND ESSAY SUMMARY DUE: JUNE 22, 2007

Week 3 (JUNE 25 - 29)

· Invasion and Resistance: Columbus’ Voyages

· Invasion and Resistance: Motecuzoma, Cortes, and the Invasion of Mexico

· The Fall of Tenochtitlan

MID-TERM EXAMINATION ON THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2007!!!

THIRD ESSAY SUMMARY DUE: JUNE 29, 2007.

Week 4 (JULY 2 - 6)

· The Colonization of Mexico: The Mission System

· Castas: The Racial Caste System

· Gender in Colonial Mexico

· The Bourbon Reforms and the Road to Independence

FOURTH CHAPTER SUMMARY DUE: JULY 6, 2007.

FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE AVAILABLE THURSDAY JULY 5, 2007

Week 5 (JULY 11 - 13)

· Independence

· The Texas Secession and War with the United States.

· Loss of Lands and Power in the 19th Century; Chicano Resistance

FIFTH ESSAY SUMMARY DUE: JULY 13, 2007.

FINAL EXAM THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2007