Spanish 245

• Instructor: Carlos R. Arce
• Office: Santa Barbara-10
• Phone: 310-860-2451 ext.2834
• Messages: Voice Mail ext.2834
• E-Mail: Arce@cerritos.edu 
• Final Examination Study Guides
  • Study Guide 1
  • Study Guide 2

Course Description and objectives:

Three hours lecture per week. This course traces the principal currents of Mexican American/American Mexican/Chicano/Chicana "Movimiento" -Movement in the United States. Using a thematic approach, it traces the historic, political and economic development of the Mexican community, introduces aspects of recent events of the recent past, and presents the highlights of Chicano achievements and development from the standpoint of social literature, culture, gender, ethnicity, politics, religion, community and power. The course consists of lectures, class presentations, guest speakers, reading assignments, library, internet and field studies.

The objectives of the course are to:

• read about current events affecting the Mexican/American community daily
• understand in general change over time amongst diverse groups within the Chicano community
• discuss and debate current topics presented in the course
• present topics of interest to the class, individually or in groups
• read and discuss reading assignments in the class text
• research topics of interest in the Mexican community via internet an library sources (VAX)
• demonstrate a general knowledge of culture, art and social literature of Chicano/Chicana/Mexican American societies, within and without the US

Required:

• Textbook: Rodolfo Acuna: Occupied America, latest edition
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in English at a College Level
• Students are responsible for all material presented and given in class, including documents, hand-outs, film presentations, and announcements about changes in course procedures. In addition students must be familiar with the use of the Internet, on campus or outside.

Optional:

• A reading list may be provided, in order to facilitate students' presentations and expansion of knowledge.
• Computer usage knowledge is optional but recommended. Using of the Spanish language is not discouraged nor is mandatory.

Attendance:

• You are responsible for all material presented in class, including announcements about course procedures. Exams, quizzes, language practice and homework often include questions on material presented only in class, so performance on these indirectly reflects attendance.
• Attendance represents 10% of your class grade. Missing one class means 2% of the grade, twice means 5% of the grade and three times means 10% of the grade.
• Students will be dropped from the class after the third unexcused absence. In addition please refer to the Cerritos College Catalog for excessive absences policy.

Note: Cellular phone calls or beep sounds are disruptive. Please turn all devices off.