LATS 471(F) Comparative Latina/o Migrations (Same as History 471) (W)*
Policymakers, scholars, the media, and others are increasingly describing the
world as "global" and immigrant groups as "transnational." Yet, this course will
ask to what extent these are recent developments or historically rooted
phenomena. Similarly, the increasing popularity of the umbrella terms
"Hispanic" and "Latina/o" can mask widely divergent migration histories. In
this course, we will develop the theoretical perspectives needed to untangle a
complicated web of differences and similarities in migration histories. We will
then use these migration histories to develop a comparative analysis of the
experiences of different Latina/o groups in the United States. For example, how
do we explain differences in socioeconomic status or political perspectives? Our
discussions will also address the emergence of Latina/o Studies as an
interdisciplinary and comparative field of study, as well as methods used in
studying Latino and Latina history, specifically oral histories, government
documents, newspapers, and interdisciplinary approaches.
Format: seminar/discussion. Evaluation will be based on class participation and
presentations, a short historiographical essay, an annotated bibliography, and a
research paper based in part on primary sources.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 15 (expected: 8-15). Preference given to
History majors and to Latina/o Studies concentrators.
Group A