Course Description: This course explores the history of immigration and immigration policies in the U.S. context and focuses primarily on Latino immigrants. Immigration policy is a highly salient and controversial issue in the current political landscape. This course will grapple with notions of citizenship and ‘illegality’ while examining backlash to demographic changes and experiences of immigrants. Rhetoric on immigration is increasingly divisive and has caused differing reactions in the public and among voters, including immigrant rights activism and varying public opinions. Legislation and policies aimed at immigrants, such as Arizona’s SB1070, DREAM Act and Proposition 187 in addition to other local, state, and federal actions and immigration enforcement will also be explored at length. Finally, this course will examine undocumented immigration, dynamics on the border, and contemporary discourse and opinion on immigration politics and policy.
Class format and information about the assignments/grading: This is a small seminar course that is discussion based. Course grades are based on two short papers (2-3 pages), two in-class debates, participation in seminar, and a final group project. The final group project involve the creation of a website or podcast on an immigration policy. There are no exams in this course.
Short Paper #1 10%
Short Paper #2 10%
Final Group Project 35%
Participation 25%
In-Class Debates 20%