Semester: Spring 2023
Course Number and Name: PRLS 3320W: Latinx Remaking the United States
Class Day/Time: Tuesday and Thursdays, 11am-12:15pm Hybrid Instruction
Room for In-Person Dates: James 2611
Instructor: Alan A. Aja
Email: aaja@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Office Hours: TBA-by appointment.
Course Website: https://prls3320waja.commons.gc.cuny.edu/
4 hours; 4 credits
Settlement patterns and history of Latinx (im)migrants, organizational life, economic and cultural integration. Comparative ethnic relations and struggles for community representation and persistence. The remaking of USA society. Writing-intensive course + online instruction.
This syllabus has been adapted to reflect and respond to remote/hybrid learning during pandemic restrictions.
- Developing a contextual understanding of the experiences of US Latinx.
- Understanding the Latinx migration process and the merging realities of diasporic communities in the United States.
- Demonstrating knowledge of dynamics of race, ethnicity, class, gender, national origin, with regard to the experience of Latinx people.
- Articulating experiences of Latinx people in a transnational context.
- Critiquing concepts such as justice, rights, advocacy, and citizenship with regard to Latinx communities.
- Deepening knowledge of the cultural and working-class values, traditions, achievements, and history of Latinx communities in the United States.
- Researching, learning, and presenting new Latinx sources to the class.
- Learning about the different literary and musical genres produced by Latinx in the U.S.
- Study the style and characteristics of each work as well as the historical background and the author’s life, activities, and aspirations.
- Critically interpret the content, discourse and form of critical, literary and film works.
Our class uses Open Education Resources (OER) in replacement of textbooks and is therefore a Zero Cost course. This means there is no textbook students need to purchase. All materials are available freely to students online on:
- This course OER website for PRLS 3320W
https://prls3320waja.commons.gc.cuny.edu/ - On Blackboard under “Course Materials.”
https://bbhosted.cuny.edu/
| Percentage of Grade | Activities and Assignments |
|---|---|
| 25% | Attendance & Active Class Participation (discussion(s) & activities). |
| 25% | Annotated References Exercise |
| 50% | Reflection-Reaction Papers (x 3) |
| 25% | Final: Digital Research Project. |
| *Extra credit assignments may become available. |
*Extra credit assignments may become available.
A: 93% and above
A-: 90 – 92.99%
B+: 87 – 89.99%
B: 83 – 86.99%
B-: 80 – 82.99%
C+: 77 – 79.99%
C: 73 – 76.99%
C-: 70 – 72.99%
D: 60 – 69.99%
F: Below 60%
Students are encouraged and expected to have questions, reactions and comments about course readings, current affairs, and other course related materials for lecture-sessions. We will discuss and decide on appropriate guidelines for our online virtual classroom early in the semester.
Our course/remote classroom is both a SAFE and BRAVE space respectful and supportive of each other’s experiences, culture, religion, abilities, appearance, language(s), nationalities, immigration journey, and identities. It is also a space you should feel comfortable surfacing your needs.
*Classroom sessions are not to be recorded by anyone.
Students are expected to turn in an annotated references assignment (works cited) that will be used as an exercise to help you become better researchers (and prepare you for graduate school). They must be from a credible source; scholarly/peer reviewed materials are preferred. You should use libraries, museums, other educational institutions, academic journals, or primary sources as references. Some magazines and newspapers may be considered, local reporting is preferred. Each annotated reference should be different and include an 1-page annotation, double spaced, 12pt font. Students may be asked to present their work throughout the semester.
We will discuss and decide on appropriate guidelines for our online virtual classroom early in the semester.
Your annotation should have the following:
- brief (one or two paragraphs) summary of the reference- what are the major/key points that stand out to you, and
- a short critique/analysis of the reference- be critical, challenge, question, resist, agree (one to two paragraphs),
- and a statement about how and why this reference supports your final project (one to two paragraphs). Please see the course schedule for due dates, they vary.
This paper is designed to be a reaction to the readings/materials from the semester. Each response paper will be a different page-length, with the first being 2 pages, the second 3-4 pages, and the final 6-7 pages (treated as a final project). For the final response paper, you may choose any of the readings/materials listed in the course as a “base reference,” then expand using outside course materials/sources.
The purpose of this assignment is for you to discuss how you have critically assessed the readings, and/or content in relation to your experiences. These are NOT summaries of the readings/content, that’s what lecture discussions are for. I am interested in learning how you interacted, interpreted and/or related (or not) to the material(s) and content. You should include reference to an excerpt from the readings that directly relates to your reaction/reflection for full credit.
Language borrowed from Prof. J. Entin: We will do our best to accommodate all of our levels of comfort, hesitations, precautions and re/entry to in-person learning as a course community. We will discuss any in-person meetings together on zoom to make sure we find a collective solution with everyone’s physical, mental, emotional and medical health and well-being as a priority.
- Physical distancing Course-session: At present, the college does not have a social distancing policy in the classroom space, but it is important to protect each other’s health.
- Basic Information: Critical information about the College’s COVID policy is available on the “Returning Safely Together” website. Returning Safely Together information is also available at the top of the BC Navigator app.
- Masking: Masks are no longer required on campus. Due to the low levels of COVID-19 in New York City, CUNY has lifted its temporary mask mandate. Anyone who would like to continue wearing masks in any setting is welcome to do so at any time. Masks will continue to be available on campus and offices.
While the CDC is not requiring people to wear a mask in communities that have low or medium COVID-19 levels, faculty, staff and students who are still not vaccinated, or those who have been or will be granted a medical exemption or religious exception, are urged to continue to wear a mask.
Mask requirements associated with isolation and quarantine as referenced later in these guidelines remain in effect. Individuals cleared to return to campus after a shortened isolation period are recommended to wear a well-fitted mask while on campus. A well-fitted mask should also be worn for 10 days from the date of last close contact with someone with COVID-19. - Vaccination: As you know, all students attending in-person classes are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted, unless you have a medical or religious exemption (roughly 200 out of approximately 15,000 students on the BC campus have exemptions). Here is the CUNY student guide for vaccination.
Accessibility & Disability
The Center for Student Disability Services is working remotely at this time. Please email them at testingcsds@brooklyn.cuny.edu for assistance.
Students should inform the professor if they have a disability or any other situation that may require Section 504/ADA accommodations. The faculty and staff will attempt to work out whatever arrangements are necessary.
Please provide me with your course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with me as soon as possible to ensure accommodations are met in a timely fashion.
In order to receive academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or who suspect that they might have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell or the Assistant Director, Josephine Patterson or their general email testingcsds@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Plagiarism & Cheating
Academic dishonesty of any type, including cheating and plagiarism, is unacceptable at Brooklyn College. Cheating is any misrepresentation in academic work. Plagiarism is the representation of another person’s work, words, or ideas as your own. Students should consult the Brooklyn College Student Handbook for a fuller, more specific discussion of related academic integrity standards.
Academic dishonesty is punishable by failure of the “…test, examination, term paper or other assignment on which cheating occurred” (Faculty Council, May 18, 1954).
In addition, disciplinary proceedings in cases of academic dishonesty may result in penalties of admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary probation, restitution, suspension, expulsion, complaint to civil authorities, or ejection (Adopted by Policy Council, May 8, 1991).
NOTE: If you have a question about how to cite correctly ask your teacher BEFORE submitting your work.
- The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism.
- Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both.
- View complete text of CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation.
- If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member must report the violation.
- Please read the section entitled “Academic Regulations and Procedures” in the Brooklyn College Undergraduate Bulletin or Graduate Bulletin for a complete listing of academic regulations of the College.
Bereavement Leave
Bereavement Policy
- Students who experience the death of a loved one must contact the Division of Student Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall, if they wish to implement either the Standard Bereavement Procedure or the Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure. The Division of Student Affairs has the right to request a document that verifies the death (e.g., a funeral program or death notice). Contact Email: studentaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu
- Typically, this death involves that of a family member, in parallel to the bereavement policy for faculty and staff. However, it is up to the discretion of the Division of Student Affairs to determine if a death outside of the immediate family warrants implementation of the student bereavement policy.
- As an option, and in consultation with the Division of Student Affairs, students may take the Leave of Absence Bereavement after the Standard Bereavement.
- Reference to the Student Bereavement Policies will be noted on course syllabi.
- Students requesting a religious accommodation should contact the Division of Student Affairs as well. The chief student affairs officer, or a designee, and the student will engage in an interactive process with the goal of finding an acceptable accommodation.
Bereavement Procedure
- Upon approval from the Division of Student Affairs, the student is allowed one week, commencing from the day of notification to the Division of Student Affairs, of excused absence.
- Should the student feel that he/she needs additional days, these should be discussed with individual course instructors and/or the Division of Student Affairs.
- The Division of Student Affairs will contact the student’s faculty and academic staff of the student’s courses.
- Faculty and academic staff will be advised that extensions must be granted to the student for the period of one week of excused absence.
- Further extensions may be negotiated with the student when he or she returns to campus.
- Students are encouraged to discuss options with their instructors.
Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure
- Students may be allowed to withdraw from the semester in which the death occurs.
- The Bereavement Leave of Absence is for one semester only.
- Students who have opted to take the Bereavement Leave of Absence and have already attended classes for the semester of the leave will be allowed to re-enter the following semester without having to reapply to the college.
- Students who wish to take the leave of absence prior to the beginning of the semester will be required to reapply for the following semester.
- Students who are in good academic standing will be given the opportunity to successfully complete the credits for the semester in which they return.
- Students will consult with the Division of Student Affairs, on a case-by-case basis, as to whether they should withdraw from their courses during this leave of absence or to request incompletes from the faculty member.
- Given that there may be a potential impact on financial aid, students who receive financial aid and who take the Bereavement Leave of Absence, upon arrangement with the Division of Student Affairs, will meet with a financial aid adviser prior to taking this option.
Religious Accommodations
- The New York State Education Law provides that no student shall be expelled or refused admission to an institution of higher education because he or she is unable to attend classes or participate in examinations or study or work requirements on any particular day or days because of religious beliefs.
- Students who are unable to attend classes on a particular day or days because of religious beliefs will be excused from any examination or study or work requirements.
- Faculty must make good-faith efforts to provide students absent from class because of religious beliefs equivalent opportunities to make up the work missed; no additional fees may be charged for this consideration.
- If classes, examinations, or study or work requirements occur on Friday after 4 p.m. or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, or study or work requirements will be made available on other days, where possible and practical.
- The faculty and the administration will not allow any adverse or prejudicial effects to accrue to students availing themselves of this regulation.
- If students have complaints about the application of this policy, they are entitled to bring action or a proceeding for enforcement of their rights in the Supreme Court of Kings County
