asambleista boliviana 2007Nezahualcoyotl

Soc 338: The Indigenous Experience in the Americas
 
Winter 2010
Instructor: Dr. Gonzalo F. Santos
Class: 12:20 pm - 2:25 pm, Tue. & Th., Room: Education 127
emailsantos_class@csub.edu

Dr. Santos' Office: DDH-AA205 
Office Hours: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Tu/Th
Phone: 664-2191
Teaching Assistant: Ms. Melanie Hatfield
email = melhat@csufresno.edu

T.A. Office: DDH-AA204
T.A. Office Hours: By appointment only

spirit Textbooks:
  
 *  David E. Wilkins, 2006. American Indian Politics and the American Political System. 2nd. Edition. New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.. ISBN: 978-0742553460.

 * Thomas D. Hall and James V. Fenelon, 2009. Indigenous Peoples and Globalization: Resistance and Revitalization. Boulder: Paradigm Publishers. ISBN: 1-5945-1658-8

 * Jose Antonio Lucero, 2008. Struggles of Voice: The Politics of Indigenous Representation in the Andes. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press. ISBN: 0-8229-5998-4

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colage zapatista Course Content:

This course introduces us to the social, cultural, economic and political experiences of modern indigenous peoples and movements in the United States, around the globe, and in the Andean region of  Latin America. We first focus on the rich and complex Native American experiences in the United States over the course of the XX Century and into the new century, with emphasis on the tremendous social rebellions of the 1930s and 1960s and the state policies and programs that prompted and resulted from them, leading to the substantial, though partial, recovery of various dimensions of Native American sovereignty, a reinvigorated indigenous identity and culture, and a mixed economic and political reality today. We then analyze the resurgence of indigenous movements around the world as dramatic alternatives to capitalist globalization and its neoliberal ideology, re-asserting, via a variety of mobilizing strategies, and the undiminished centrality of indigenous peoples' vision and struggles in the present and for the future of the world. Two particular areas of study will be the 15-year long Zapatista Maya rebellion in Chiapas, Mexico, and the social uprisings in Ecuador and Bolivia, culminating with the election of Evo Morales, the first indigenous president elected to office in Bolivia's history.

evo gana Course Structure:

The course will be run as a "semi-seminar": Students will take turns introducing the assigned readings in each class session, followed by Dr. Santos lecturing and leading the discussion. If there are two reading assignments, we'll have a short break and repeat the process with a different student. Attendance is, of course, mandatory, and all students must come prepared to discuss the readings.

Besides the classroom activities, students will produce two research papers on a relevant sociohistorical topic related to the course: the first one on U.S. Native Americans, their movements, economic conditions, political issues, or cultural challenges, as a whole or particular nations or tribes, and the second one on an indigenous people, issue, or movement in present-day Latin America.

Class Presentations: On a rotational basis, for most of the classes, groups of 2 students each will introduce, summarize, and critique each of the assigned readings. If you wish to do a PowerPoint presentation that is fine, just please bring your presentation in a USB-type memory stick in format "ppt"or "pps"  (NOT "pptx"or "ppsx"  please!). When it's your turn to present, please show up early to set it up & test it. Or, if you prefer, you may bring overhead slides of your presentation and use cards.

Each presentation will be evaluated based on: (a) the descriptive accuracy and completeness of the summary, (b)
the analytical strength of the critical assessment, (c) the quality and pertinence of a final question posed at the end of each presentation, and (d) the quality of the delivery (oral & visual).

Reading Assessments: To ensure that everybody come to every class fully prepared to discuss the assigned readings, students who are not presenting must bring to class a written "reading assessment" per reading (chapter) assigned, each up to two pages in length, double-spaced, in font 12 text. The reading assessments must be turned in to Dr. Santos at the end of each class session. No late reading assessments will be accepted, unless the student has a pre-authorized absence from Dr. Santos. DO NOT SEND YOUR READING ASSESSMENTS BY EMAIL.

Reading assessment content: Please always write on top of your reading assessments your name, the date, and the title of reading you are assessing. In contrast to the presentations, these "reading assessments" must not summarize or describe the readings, but solely critically assess or respond to them: express what the you think about them; identify the areas of strong agreement and/or disagreement with the author, explaining why, as well as identify the areas or topics you find most interesting to discuss, or anything in particular that impressed you greatly, caused you serious confusion, or surprise. Whatever you write, explain your specific academic and/or personal reasons for doing so. The reading assessment cannot and should not cover every issue found in the assigned readings for the day; you must be selective and demonstrate judgment in the choices you make to discuss (by the way, early topics are always suspect!). A very bad assessment will reveal the student read very little or very superficially, just to do the assignment (it's called "going through the motion"). A good assessment will demonstrate the student really read the material and did a serious effort to select and critically grapple with some of the main issues raised. At the end of each reading assessment, students may write a question for class discussion.

Note: Students presenting on a given day do not need to submit any reading assessment that day.

Research Papers:  Students will also be asked to chose two pertinent historical/sociological topics relating to the contemporary indigenous experiences in the United States and Latin America, and do papers on each, respectively. The first paper is due on February 18 in class, and the second paper is due by noon on March 18 in Dr. Santos' office. The students must obtain approval from Dr. Santos for their paper topics. You may visit Dr. Santos at his office during his office hours posted above.

Each paper should be between 6 and 8 pages in length (apart from the bibliography), double-spaced, font 12, with one-inch margins.  Papers will be graded for clarity and organization; quality, depth & accuracy of analysis; quality and breath of assembled data. Students will collaborate in their groups for these research papers.

All papers must be delivered in printed paper and also emailed to Dr. Santos in Word format (".doc" -- NOT ".docx").

Extra Points: Perfect attendance will be rewarded with extra points. Another way to get extra credit is to attend those campus or public events Dr. Santos announces in class and write afterward a two-page report on them. Yet another way is this: there are two general studies courses that students are strongly encouraged to take if they wish to develop their research skills, and if they do (either or both) will receive extra credit in this course: These courses will enable students to develop the necessary competencies to navigate their way around the complexities of researching print and electronic sources.  For further information contact librarian Christy Gavin (email: <cgavin@csub.edu>, phone: 661-664-3237).

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GST 126 - Researching the Electronic Library (2 units)
Introduces students to effective research techniques using Library electronic resources. Emphasis will be placed upon skills necessary for the identification, retrieval, and evaluation of information for general and specific topics. Students will acquire the competencies necessary to develop an effective search strategy and find research materials, including references to journal articles, full text articles in electronic format, government publications, books, and Internet resources.

GST 153 - Research on the Internet (2 units)
Introduces students to the information resources available on the Internet for research purposes Students will develop general knowledge of the Internet, navigation skills, effective search strategy skills, familiarity with Internet finding tools, evaluation methodologies and other Internet research skills.
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Plagiarism: To prevent students from wittingly or unwittingly engaging in plagiarism, Dr. Santos strongly recommends students to carefully read and abide by the document CSUB Classifications of Plagiarism found at: http://www.csub.edu/tlc/options/resources/turn_it_in_help_page.shtml

Anyone found guilty of engaging in plagiarism will automatically fail the course and be reported to the Office of Student Discipline and Judicial Affairs for further disciplinary action.

Grading: The class presentation is worth up to 15 points. The research papers are worth up to 25 points each (50 total). The reading assessments as a whole are worth the remaining 35 points. The extra credit students may receive for taking the suggested General Studies courses will depend on their final grade in those courses, and may range from zero to 6 points (up to 3 extra points per course). Perfect attendance will also be rewarded with 5 extra points; absences and tardiness/leaving early will be penalized with one point off per instance. The final letter grade will be assigned, on a scale of 0 to 100, as follows:

94-100 = A 87-89 = B+ 77-79 = C+ 65-69 = D
90-93 = A- 84-86 = B 74-76 = C < 65 = F

80-83 = B- 70-73 = C-

Office Hours & E-Mail to Dr. Santos & Ms. Melanie Hatfield

Dr. Santos will generally be available at his office, DDH-AA205, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, Tu/Th. Students are encouraged to come see him or to call him (664-2191) during these times. Please be advised, though, given the large volume of email he receives, that email communication has to be very brief and to the point. Expect an equally brief answer.  Clearly identify your business in the subject heading, and make sure to sign off with your full name.

The T.A., Ms. Melanie Hatfield, will be available to meet with you by appointment only, at her office, DDH-AA204. She will be in charge of evaluating the reading assessments and handling email traffic. You may contact her by email at her address above. Again, be brief and to the point, and expect a brief reply, too. If you wish to set up an appointment, you should leave her a phone number where she can reach you - and always sign off with your full name.

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bandera aymara Schedule of Assigned Readings bandera aymara
Week
Tuesday
Thursday

January 7


Introduction to the class
 
1
January 12, 14
Wilkins

Introduction

Presenter: Dr. Santos

1. A Tour of Indian Peoples and Indian Lands

Presenter: Dr. Santos
Wilkins

2. Indian Peoples Are Nations, Not Minorities

Presenter: Dr. Santos
2
January 19, 21
Wilkins

3. Actors in Indian Politics

Group: ______1_______
Wilkins

4. A History of Federal Indian Policy

Group: ______2_______
3
January 26, 28
Wilkins

5. Indigenous Governments: Past, Present, and Future

Group: ______3_______
Wilkins

6. Tribal Political Economy

Group: ______4_______
4
February 2, 4

Wilkins

7. Indian Political Participation

Group: ______5_______

8. Indian Interest Group Activity and Activism

Group: ______6_______
Wilkins

9. Indians, Images, and the Media

Group: ______7_______
5
February 9, 11
Wilkins

10. Indigenous Nations and the American Political System

Group: ______8______
Lucero

1. Constructing Movements and Comparisons

Group: ______9_______

2. Toward a Political and Conceptual Genealogy of Representation

Group: ______10_______
6
February 16, 18
Lucero

3. Comparing Communities: 1860s-1960s

Group: ______11_______
First research paper due in class
Lucero

4. Articulating Indianness: 1960s-1990s

Presenter: Dr. Santos
7
February 23, 25
Lucero

5. Neoliberal and Multicultural Encounters: 1990-2005

Group: ______12______
Lucero

6. Strategic Constructivism & Essentialism

Group: _____13________

7. Articulating Utopias, Histories, and Politics

Group: _____14________
8
March 2, 4
Hall & Fenelon

1. Globalization & Indigenous Survival

Group: ______15_______

2. Indigenous Global Struggles

Group: ______16_______
Hall & Fenelon

3. Maori in New Zealand & Adevasi in India

Group: ______17_______
9
March 9, 11
Hall & Fenelon

4. Indigenous Mexico: Globalization & Resistance

Group: _____18________

Hall & Fenelon

5. American Indian Survival & Revitalization

Group: _____19________
10
March 16, 18
Hall & Fenelon

6. Indigenous Movements: Global Perspective

Group: ______20_______


7. Conclusions & Epilogue

Group: ______21_______



Second Research Paper
due by noon on Thursday, March 18 at Dr. Santos' office

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