SPAN 3312-002: Introduction to Latin American Civilization and Culture Fall 2019

Instructor Information Instructor: Christopher Conway Office Number: Appointments will be held at the Main Library, 6th Floor, Office 650 (Center for Greater Southwestern Studies). Office Telephone Number: Department of Modern Languages Phone Number is 817-272-3161 Email Address: [email protected] Faculty Profile: https://mentis.uta.edu/explore/profile/christopher-conway Office Hours: Tuesdays 11-12:20. Appointments will be held at the Main Library, 6th Floor, Office 650 (Center for Greater Southwestern Studies). Course Information Section Information: 002 Time and Place of Class Meetings: Trimble Hall 218 Description of Course Content: An interdisciplinary introduction to Latin American society, history and culture. Prerequisite: SPAN 2314 with a grade of C or better. Offered as MAS 3312 and SPAN 3312; credit will be granted for either MAS or SPAN. Student Learning Outcomes: • • • •

•

Students practice note-taking skills to help retain, process, and reflect upon information. This will be assessed through Open Notebook Tests. Identify major historical periods, key topics, and historical actors important to modern Latin American and Latinx history and culture. This will be assessed through quizzes and tests. Apply close-reading strategies to literary and cultural texts. This will be assessed through classroom participation, in-class discussion and activities, and in-class and take home questions on quizzes and tests. Draw connections between cultural artifacts (documents, films, stories, etc.) and cultural and historical problems relating to the Latin American and Latinx experience. This will be assessed by classroom participation, in-class activities, and in-class and take-home questions on quizzes and tests. Practice reading and writing skills in Spanish. This will be assessed through homework reading assignments, as well as writing assignments and take home portions of quizzes and/or tests.

1

Required Textbooks and Other Course Materials: El ruido de las cosas al caer by Juan Gabriel Vásquez. (UT Arlington bookstore) I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez. (UT Arlington bookstore) Descriptions of major assignments and examinations: Midterm (not open notebook) and Final (open notebook).

Open Notebook Quizzes

Weight 2 tests at 25% each (50% total).

3 quizzes at 10% each (30%)

Review notetaking strategies Graphic Organizing Section/Concept Mapping Zine (abbreviation of “magazine)

Participation Quick writes Graphic Organizing Poster mapping

10% [90]

10%

Description Students answer questions about lectures, readings, and classroom media. On quizzes about lectures, readings, and classroom media, students are permitted to use their notebooks.

Further information Students are permitted to bring a 4 x 6 notecard to class with notes on it to use during the midterm exam, which is not open notebook. The Final exam is open notebook. Professor will provide review sheets and some take-home questions.

Students created their own “magazine” in booklet form, containing text and illustrations. The theme is identity in relation to the course subject matter. Participation score will be graded based on in-class activities such as group projects, inclass writings and reflections.

I will work with the class to explain the format of the Zines, and to provide sample Zines for students to examine. Students should use the Zine Grading Rubric to learn about how I will be grading this assignment. This assignment has the potential to be fun and deeply rewarding on a personal level.

Notebooks must be on paper (not on screen) and students are not permitted to use the notes of another student.

These in-class assignments will be given either 100% (outstanding), 85% (good), 75% (needs improvement), or 0 (I assume no one will get this grade!) Some in-class assignments will be simply graded as pass/no pass, with pass=100% and no pass=0. At the end of the semester, I will average these scores to calculate an overall final grade for participation category. In-class participation assignments cannot be made when a student misses them due to an absence of a tardy. Some in-class assignments will provide the basis for quiz or exam questions.

2

Grading Information Grading: In the table above, students can see the weights given to each assignment toward the final grade. The percentage weight for each assignment corresponds to its number of points toward the final grade. To calculate how many points lost per assignment, multiply each score out of 100 by the percentage, using a decimal figure (for example, for an 89 on an assignment worth 10%, multiply 89 by .1, or for a 75 on something worth 25%, multiply 75 by .25, etc.) Regardless, I will be using the Canvas gradebook for students who prefer that. For each assignment, I will provide students with detailed instructions on what is expected, and grade accordingly. Following instructions is an important skill that I will emphasize in this course. Make-ups: My philosophy on make-ups: Students earn them by demonstrating professionalism and effort, regardless of reason for missing an assignment. This policy allows me to treat everybody equally and fairly and encourage a positive classroom environment. Missed midterm examination: Best way to resolve: students may make it up two weeks later (with additional weeks covered in the examination) as long as they have a) not missed Quiz 1 or 2 and b) have no more than 2 absences prior to midterm examination. Alternate resolution: For students who do not meet the conditions above, I will allow them to have a make-up two weeks after the midterm but I will only count the grade if they a) do not miss more than 4 classes during the semester; b) they get an 80 or better on Quiz 3; and c) they get an 80 or better on the Final. If a student has missed Quiz 1 or 2 but have no absences, then I will consider giving a make-up. If a student has more than 3-4 absences but scored above a 90 on both Quiz 1 and 2, I will consider giving a make-up. Missed Final Examination: The student will receive an incomplete instead of a grade in the class. In January of 2020, the student should make an appointment with me. If a make-up is given, it will be given in Spring of 2020 and the incomplete will be changed to a final grade a week or two later. Missed Quizzes: Students may make up one missed quiz after week 13 as long they have a) not missed another quiz and b) not missed more than 4 classes prior to week 13. Best strategy for students: Try hard, come to class, study, etc.

3

Policy on Incompletes: I will only give incompletes for students who have taken all 3 quizzes and the midterm. I also require them to have not missed more than 5 class meetings. If, due to an emergency, a student must miss more than 5 classes, they should withdraw from the class or drop it. Classroom Behavior Policy The vast majority of my students are professional, motivated, and mature individuals. Most of my classes never have behavior issues. However, sometimes a student behaves in ways that are not acceptable and which disrupt our learning environment. This policy is here for that unusual and uncommon circumstance, not because I am expecting a problem in this specific class. •

Excessive cell phone use: If a student needs to check on a text message, etc., they should do so discretely by doing it under their desk, and only briefly, and no more than once per class. What is not acceptable is to be on the cell for continuous periods during class. When this happens I and other students become distracted.

•

It is not acceptable for students using laptops in class to surf the web or social media because everyone next to or behind them will be distracted. If I notice a student only looking at a screen and never looking up I will believe that the student is not using their screen responsibly.

•

Students who violate the UTA honor code by cheating will be reported to the University.

•

I expect students to bring the assigned course materials to class. If this is a problem, the student should speak to me. But sitting at a desk without our tools and materials communicates the wrong message.

•

Students should be cooperative and helpful toward each other during group assignments and classroom discussions.

•

Student comments in class should be professional and respectful. This means not making inappropriate comments, joking or otherwise, about gender, race, or class. We are allowed to disagree about ideas, and to have separate opinions, but we are not allowed to provoke or disrespect others.

•

Overall, I expect the class to take our time together seriously.

As for me, I will come to class prepared, have a positive, and supportive disposition toward each student, and make myself available to advise and counsel students. Please help me help you by communicating with me instead of keeping a problem to yourself. Expectations for Out-of-Class Study: Beyond the time required to attend each class meeting, students enrolled in this course should expect to spend at least an additional 5 hours per week of their own time in course-related activities, including reading required materials, completing assignments, preparing for exams, etc.

4

Grade Grievances: Any appeal of a grade in this course must follow the procedures and deadlines for grade-related grievances as published in the current University Catalog. It is recommended that students in this course begin by speaking to Dr. Conway about their concerns. If, after that meeting, they have further concerns, they should speak to the head of Spanish, Dr. Ignacio Ruiz-Pérez.

Course Schedule Jueves 21 agosto Introducción al curso/Terminología: Hispánico, Latino/a etc. y variantes. Introducción a las Guerras de Independencia. Módulo 1: Claves históricas por medio del cine y la música Martes 27 agosto: Clave Histórica 1: La Independencia de América Latina. Lectura para hoy: Una introducción a Simón Bolívar y las Guerras de Independencia en América Latina. Película asignada para hoy: Bolívar, el hombre de las dificultades (disponible en YouTube para alquilar). Utilicen los cuestionarios relevantes. Jueves 29 agosto: Clave Histórica 2: La Revolución Mexicana. Película asignada: El compadre Mendoza; Lectura para hoy: “La Adelita” y “El corrido de Francisco Villa” (canciones). Utilicen los cuestionarios relevantes. Martes 3 sept: Clave Histórica 3: La Revolución Cubana Película “Todos se van” en página web de la biblioteca (Kanopy) [gratis]; “Hasta la victoria siempre” de Carlos Puebla (canción); “Te doy una canción” de Silvio Rodríguez (canción). Utilicen los cuestionarios relevantes. Primera prueba de cuaderno abierto (Open Notebook Quiz 1). Jueves 5 sept: Clave 3 continúa: “Playa Girón” de Silvio Rodríguez (canción). Clave Histórica 4: La Guerra Fría (Derechos Humanos en el Cono Sur.) Película: “Nuestros desaparecidos” de Juan Mandelbaum. Utilicen los cuestionarios relevantes. Martes 10 sept: “Te recuerdo Amanda” de Víctor Jara (canción); “Todo Cambia” de Julio Numhauser (canción); “Gracias a la vida” de Violeta Parra/Mercedes Sosa; “Coplas de mi país” de Piero (canción). Utilicen los cuestionarios relevantes. Jueves 12 sept: Clave Histórica 4: Narcos en Colombia y México. “Contrabando y traición” y Pacas de a Kilo” de Los Tigres del Norte (canciones). “Sanguinarios del M1” de Movimiento Alterado (canción [opcional]). “Pablo Escobar Dominates the Global Cocaine Trade (1976-1993).” Utilicen los cuestionarios relevantes. Módulo 2: La violencia de los narcos y la memoria histórica y personal en El ruido de las cosas al caer Martes 17 sept: El ruido de las cosas al caer de Juan Gabriel Vázquez. “Mis miedos son producto de la violencia” de Sandra Pedroza. Jueves 19 sept: El ruido…“Mis miedos son producto de la violencia” de Sandra Pedroza. 5

Martes 24 sept: El ruido… Jueves 26 sept: El ruido…Segunda prueba de cuaderno abierto (Open Notebook Quiz 2). Martes 1 oct: El ruido… Jueves 3 oct: El ruido… Martes 8 oct: El ruido… Jueves 10 oct: El ruido…/Repaso Examen Parcial Martes 15 oct: Examen Parcial (no es cuaderno abierto; pueden traer tarjeta [index card] 3 x 5 con apuntes) Jueves 17 oct: I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter de Erika Sánchez. Módulo 3: La identidad “Latinx” a través de I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter Martes 22 oct: I Am Not… Jueves 24 oct: I Am Not… Martes 29 oct: I Am Not… Jueves 31 oct: I Am Not… y Taller de actividades (Workshop) proyecto Zine 2. [Ojo: Fecha de entrega del Zine es martes 19 de noviembre; en esta sesión exploramos cómo hacer un Zine.] Martes 5 nov: I Am Not… Jueves 7 nov: I Am Not… Módulo 4: Investigación de archivo (La intervención norteamericana en México, 1846-1848) Martes 12 nov: Introducción a la intervención norteamericana en México (18461848)“Introduction” a The U.S.-Mexican War: A Binational Reader de Christopher Conway (ensayo.) Tercera prueba de cuaderno abierto (Open Notebook Quiz 3). Jueves 14 nov: La clase se va de excursión a Special Collections en el sexto piso de la biblioteca. Recibiremos una gira especial sobre las valiosas antigüedades que posee la biblioteca de UTA. This activity will be covered on Final Exam. Martes 19 nov: La clase se va de excursión a Special Collections en el sexto piso de la biblioteca. Los estudiantes trabajarán con periódicos, cartas, y escritos de los 1840’s para una tarea especial. This activity will be covered on Final Exam. Entrega de proyecto Zine. Jueves 21 nov: La clase se va de excursión a Special Collections en el sexto piso de la biblioteca. Los estudiantes trabajarán con periódicos, cartas, y escritos de los 1840’s para una tarea especial. This activity will be covered on Final Exam. 6

Miscelánea Martes 26 nov: Música y cultura en el siglo XX. “Sabor a mí” de Álvaro Carrillo; “Latinoamérica” de Calle Trece; “Pedro Navaja” de Rubén Blades; “Encanto tropical” de Monsieur Periné (canciones). Utilicen los cuestionarios relevantes. THANKSGIVING Martes 3 dic: Repaso de preguntas take home para el examen final. Jueves 5 diciembre: 8-10:30 de la mañana: EXAMEN FINAL (open notebook y secciones “take home.”)

Institution Information Disability Accommodations: UT Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of all federal equal opportunity legislation, including The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. All instructors at UT Arlington are required by law to provide “reasonable accommodations” to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of disability. Students are responsible for providing the instructor with official notification in the form of a letter certified by the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Only those students who have officially documented a need for an accommodation will have their request honored. Students experiencing a range of conditions (Physical, Learning, Chronic Health, Mental Health, and Sensory) that may cause diminished academic performance or other barriers to learning may seek services and/or accommodations by contacting: The Office for Students with Disabilities, (OSD) www.uta.edu/disability or calling 817-272-3364. Information regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations can be found at www.uta.edu/disability. Counseling and Psychological Services, (CAPS) www.uta.edu/caps/ or calling 817-272-3671 is also available to all students to help increase their understanding of personal issues, address mental and behavioral health problems and make positive changes in their lives. Non-Discrimination Policy: The University of Texas at Arlington does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, genetic information, and/or veteran status in its educational programs or activities it operates. For more information, visit uta.edu/eos. UTA students are encouraged to review other institutional policies and informational sections and reach out to the relevant office with any questions. To view this institutional information, please visit the Institutional Information page at: http://www.uta.edu/provost/administrative-forms/course-syllabus/syllabus-institutional-policies.php This page provides information on: • •

Drop Policy Disability Accommodations 7

• • • •

Title IX Policy Academic Integrity Student Feedback Survey Final Exam Schedule

Additional Information UTA Attendance Policies: At The University of Texas at Arlington, taking attendance is not required but attendance is a critical indicator of student success. Each faculty member is free to develop their own methods of evaluating students’ academic performance, which includes establishing course-specific policies on attendance. However, while UT Arlington does not require instructors to take attendance in their courses, the U.S. Department of Education requires that the University have a mechanism in place to mark when Federal Student Aid recipients “begin attendance in a course.” UT Arlington instructors will report when students begin attendance in a course as part of the final grading process. Specifically, when assigning a student a grade of F, faculty report must the last date a student attended their class based on evidence such as a test, participation in a class project or presentation, or an engagement online via Canvas. This date is reported to the Department of Education for federal financial aid recipients. Dr. Conway’s Attendance Policy: As the instructor of this section, I have set the following policy: students are allowed 3 absences no questions asked. These are for family emergencies and medical emergencies. A fourth absence triggers a 1-point deduction from the final course grade. A fifth absence triggers another 2-point deduction in addition to the existing 1-point deduction. A sixth absence triggers a 10-point total deduction from your final grade. A seventh absence is a 15-point deduction from your final grade. The eighth absence will result in a 20-point deduction from final grade. With regards to tardiness, every tardy beginning with the third one will count as a ½ absence. Students whose circumstances will cause more than a two or three week absence from class should not remain in the class and pursue a drop or a withdrawal. Emergency Exit Procedures: Should we experience an emergency event that requires evacuation of the building, students should exit the room and move to the left toward the hallway exit, then make another left and proceed down the stairwell on the left. When exiting the building during an emergency, do not take an elevator but use the stairwells instead. Faculty members and instructional staff will assist students in selecting the safest route for evacuation and will make arrangements to assist individuals with disabilities.

Important Safety Procedures for Each Student to Review: Evacuation Route Maps (Buildings) http://www.uta.edu/campus-ops/ehs/fire/Evac_Maps_Buildings.php

Emergency/Fire Evacuation Procedures http://www.uta.edu/police/Evacuation%20Procedures.pdf

Emergency Communication System 8

https://www.uta.edu/uta/emergency.php Student Success Programs at UTA: UT Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. Resources include tutoring by appointment, drop-in tutoring, etutoring, supplemental instruction, mentoring (time management, study skills, etc.), success coaching, TRIO Student Support Services, and student success workshops. For additional information, please email [email protected], or view the Maverick Resources website. The IDEAS Center (https://www.uta.edu/ideas/) (2nd Floor of Central Library) offers FREE tutoring and mentoring to all students with a focus on transfer students, sophomores, veterans and others undergoing a transition to UT Arlington. Students can drop in or check the schedule of available peer tutors at www.uta.edu/IDEAS, or call (817) 272-6593. Librarian to Contact: Diane Shepelwich or Gretchen Trkay. (Each academic unit has access to Librarians by Academic Subject that can assist students with research projects, tutorials on plagiarism and citation references as well as support with databases and course reserves.) Emergency Phone Numbers In case of an on-campus emergency, call the UT Arlington Police Department at 817-272-3003 (noncampus phone), 2-3003 (campus phone). You may also dial 911. Non-emergency number 817-2723381 Library Information Research or General Library Help Ask for Help • Academic Plaza Consultation Services (library.uta.edu/academic-plaza) • Ask Us (ask.uta.edu/) • Research Coaches (http://libguides.uta.edu/researchcoach) Resources • Library Tutorials (library.uta.edu/how-to) • Subject and Course Research Guides (libguides.uta.edu) • Librarians by Subject (library.uta.edu/subject-librarians) • A to Z List of Library Databases (libguides.uta.edu/az.php) • Course Reserves (https://uta.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/course_reserves) • Study Room Reservations (openroom.uta.edu/)

9