Academic Courses Spring 2012
A pdf of this information is available here.
Latinos, Leadership, and Literature
MW 11:45–1:00
(ILS 20302 / CRN 29141)
News media have questioned: "Who are the Latino leaders of today? Do Latinos need leaders?"" This class turns primarily to literary sources of varying genres to ask: What might be the characteristics of successful Latino leadership? What constitutes failure? Are writers "cultural leaders"? Are Latinas the leadership of the future? What kind of an education best produces leadership for Latinos? Is there a special role for Notre Dame in such an endeavor? Jose Limón
US Latino Spirituality
TR 11:00–12:15
(ILS 20800 / CRN 22108)
US Latino spirituality is one of the youngest spiritualities among the great spiritual traditions of humanity. The course will explore the indigenous, African, and European origins of US Latino spirituality through the devotions, practices, feasts, and rituals of the people. Daniel Groody and Virgilio Elizondo
La Telenovela: History-Culture-Production
TR 9:30–10:45
(ILS 20901 / CRN 22364)
This course facilitates student exploration of the genre of the telenovela. Through exposure to authentic telenovelas from Latin America, reading of authentic texts, and through the creation and production of their own show, students will hone their oral and written proficiency and learn the idiosyncrasies of Hispanic culture as they write, direct, act in, tape, and edit a telenovela. During this process students will also learn and apply basic videography and non-linear video and audio editing techniques. Kevin Barry
Approaches to Hispanic Cultures
MWF 1:55–2:45 or 3:00–3:50
(ILS 20911-01 or 20911-02 / CRN 29142 or 29143)
This content-driven course is intended to broaden students' knowledge of the Spanish language and related cultures, as well as improve both their understanding of the Hispanic world and their communication skills in the Spanish language. Development of advanced structures is achieved through intensive practice in speaking and writing. Each section focuses on a different aspect of Hispanic culture: Immigrant Communities, Intercultural Society, and Community Based Learning. Rachel Parroquín
Playwriting
MW 1:30–2:45
(ILS 21011 / CRN 26631)
This course introduces students to creating original dramatic work. The course explores the writing process as well as models from contemporary US theater with the aim to present a variety of paths toward creating new, vibrant plays. Weekly writing exercises, movement work, visual arts approaches, improvisation techniques, and collaborative discussions will create resources for rich play material that each student will eventually use in a final scene, presented in a public reading at the end of the semester. Anne Garcia-Romero
The US-Mexican Border
TR 12:30–1:45
(ILS 30007 / CRN 29144)
The US-Mexico border has been a hotly contested social and political space since it took its current shape in the mid-nineteenth century. This course will unpack these varied (and often contradictory) meanings of the border, paying particular attention to the history of representations of Mexico and “Mexicanness” in the United States and their impact upon foreign policy, political organizing, and cultural relations. Jason Ruiz
Relief Printing: Studio Class
TR 3:30–4:45
(ILS 30014 / CRN 25454)
Students will learn the technical skills associated with relief printmaking processes such as linocut, woodcut, and wood engraving. There will be a historical component where students will learn the essential history of early relief printmaking up through contemporary uses of the process. Students will also take part in critical analysis of artwork produced for this class. Joseph Segura
Mexican American History
TR 5:00–6:15
(ILS 30401 / CRN 29145)
This course surveys the social, economic, and political evolution of Mexican Americans with a special emphasis on the post-1848 period. It examines the key processes by which a small colonial population grew to become a significant minority in the 20th century. Our main objectives are to assimilate a wealth of new knowledge and to appreciate and understand the historical roots and development of the Mexican American people. Marc Rodriguez
Urban Politics
TR 2:00–3:15
(ILS 30508 / CRN 29146)
This course introduces students to major actors, institutions, processes, and policies of sub–state governments in the United States. Through an intensive comparative examination of historical and contemporary politics in city governments, we will gain an understanding of municipal government and its role within the larger contexts of state and national government. Ricardo Ramirez
International Migration: Mexico and the United States II
TR 3:30–6:00
(ILS 40700 / CRN 22399)
A three-week course that refers to a review of basic questions on international migration, with emphasis on immigration to the United States and the methods through which these questions have been adequately or inadequately answered. The numbers, impact, nature, structure, process, and human experience will be discussed in terms of the research methods commonly used to approach them. Jorge Bustamante
Aesthetics of Latino Art and Cultural Expression
MW 11:45–1:00
(ILS 40710 / CRN 22114)
This course analyzes the philosophy and principles underlying the social and political aspects of Latino art. We will approach this analysis by examining a range or topics, including Chicano and Puerto Rican poster art, mural art, Latina aesthetics, and border art. Gilberto Cardenas
Population Dynamics
MW 11:45–1:00
(ILS 40720 / CRN 23543)
Demography, the science of population, is concerned with virtually everything that influences, or can be influenced by, population size, distribution, processes, structure, or characteristics. This course pays particular attention to the causes and consequences of population change. Changes in fertility, mortality, migration, technology, lifestyle, and culture have dramatically affected the United States and the other nations of the world. Richard Williams
US Latino Catholicism
TR 9:30–10:45
(ILS 40846 / CRN 29147)
Latina and Latino Catholics have lived their faith in what is now the continental United States for almost twice as long as the nation has existed. This course explores the origins and development of Latino Catholicism in the United States, particularly the theological contributions of contemporary Latinas and Latinos. Timothy Matovina and Virgilio Elizondo
Race and Ethnicity in US Latino Literature
TR 11:00–12:15
(ILS 40910 / CRN 26629)
This Spanish-language course examines key issues of race and ethnicity in US Latina/o literary production, particularly in the works of Afro-Latina/o, Andean-Latina/o (and other Latinos of indigenous descent), and Asian-Latina/o authors. The range of races, ethnicities, and nationalities of the established and emerging authors studied in the course will enhance students’ understanding of the complexity and heterogeneity of that group that we call “Latinos.” Marisel Moreno
Religion, Immigration, and Rights: European and American Policies
TR 3:30–4:45
(ILS 43509 / CRN 29148)
As immigrants try to find ways to adapt to life in new countries, host societies are forced to consider how much difference they can tolerate and which rights they will extend to the newcomers. Religious institutions are key vehicles in immigrant integration. Religion and religious difference can also be used to justify discriminatory policies that isolate and marginalize immigrants. The purpose of this course is to study European and US models of integration of religious minorities, especially legal mechanisms used by host countries to respect or reject the religious freedom of migrants. Oscar Celador-Angón
Immigrant Families and Mental Health
TR 12:30–1:45
(ILS 43601 / CRN 25778)
This course examines major psychological topics relevant to immigrant families in the United States and factors influencing their mental health. Given that one out of five youths in the American public school system is a child of immigrants, it is critical to study this rapidly growing population especially for those interested in working with youths and their families. Broad areas to be covered include cultural adaptation processes, biculturalism, and identity development. Irene Park
Social Concerns Seminar: Border Issues
TBA
(ILS 30804 / CRN 28668)
This seminar examines immigration and related issues that surface between the United States and Mexico. Participants travel to El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to meet refugees, work with parish organizations, and discuss policy issues. Cynthia Toms-Smedley
Social Concerns Seminar: Migrant Experience
TBA
(ILS 33967 / CRN 26630)
This seminar offers a unique immersion in the lives of migrant farm workers in Florida during the spring harvest. Students pick tomatoes in the fields (donating their wages), live with migrant families, assist church and social agencies that serve migrants, and meet with community leaders, never again to take food for granted. Cynthia Toms-Smedley