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History / American Studies 404 / 504 IMMIGRATION AND ETHNICITY IN THE UNITED STATES
University of Idaho Fall 2004 Tuesday and Thursday @ 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. College of Education 202
Dr. Adam M. Sowards Office: Administration 315 Phone: 885-7704 E-Mail: asowards@uidaho.edu Web: http://www.class.uidaho.edu/asowards/ Office Hours: Tuesday 9:30 – 10:30 and Thursday, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Immediately before and after class is usually also a good time to have some questions answered.)Note to Students: It is my pleasure to do what I can to help you meet your goals in this class. If you find yourself having trouble, please send me e-mail, use my office hours, or set up an appointment to see me.
COURSE DESCRIPTION This course surveys the history of American immigration from the era of colonization to the present. We will investigate the process of immigration and adaptation to life in the United States, as well as reaction to immigrants by native-born Americans. We will consistently consider how immigrants fit within the larger framework of American identity and help define what it means to be “American.” We will frequently question what it means for the United States to be considered a nation of immigrants, as well as how immigration fits within the larger framework and historical experience of American cultural diversity. Our focus will include Asian, European, and Latin American immigrants. In the process of our inquiries, we will learn much about the development of the American past, and we will hone our skills of critical thinking. Thus, this class will teach content (i.e., immigration history) and skills (i.e., the ability to analyze, think, and communicate critically).
REQUIRED BOOKS The following list constitutes the required books for this course. They are available for purchase at the University of Idaho Bookstore. It is possible, even likely, that you could find some of the books cheaper through online booksellers or local merchants.
Graduate students should also purchase:
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADINGPreparedness Grade (i.e., participation, quizzes, etc.) (30%): For this class to work well, students need to come to class prepared. To encourage this, you will be graded on your willing participation, your preparedness, and your presence. This grade will be calculated by contributions to discussions, by attendance, by in-class assignments, and by my general observations. Students in this class represent a variety of perspectives—personal and academic—, and all students will benefit by the participation of others with their expert knowledge and diverse experiences. Each student will also lead discussion, in pairs, for one day during the semester, which will contribute to this grade. Moreover, on a regular basis, you will have short unannounced quizzes. These likely will be short essays in class, but they may also include “objective” questions (i.e., multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, etc.). They are designed to make sure you are keeping up with and comprehending the reading, discussion, and lecture materials. I will drop your lowest score. You may not make up a missed quiz unless you have made arrangements with me prior to missing class; no exceptions.
Midterm (15%): You will have a take-home midterm exam (approximately 5-7 pages). I will provide the question or questions one week before the due date. Its purpose, primarily, is to provide feedback on your understanding of immigration history and writing before the substantial grading that comes at the end of the semester.
Research Paper (30%): You will write a research paper on immigration history based on primary and secondary sources. Two approaches seem most likely to achieve success. First, you could choose an immigrant group (you may also need to specify a particular period to make this assignment work) and research that group’s experience throughout the semester. (A comparative approach of two immigrant groups could also work well.) Second, you could choose a particular movement or development with immigration central to it, such as legislative or social reform focused on immigration or immigrants. A more detailed assignment will be handed out. The paper will be approximately 10-12 pages and you will be required to draw from both secondary (i.e., scholarly) and primary (i.e., from the time and/or participants) sources.
Final Essay Comparing Immigrant Experiences (25%): For your final exam, you will be required to write an essay (approximately 6-8 pages) comparing the immigrant experiences as presented by Yezierska, See, and Martinez. Specific question(s) to guide you in thinking about this paper will be provided by the time you begin reading these books so that you can be sure to take good notes. This will function as your final exam, as it will test how well you integrate the knowledge from these books with the information provided in other readings, discussions, and lectures.
Graduate Student Assignments Students enrolled in History 504 will be accountable for the Preparedness grade, the Midterm, and Final Essay. We will also meet to discuss the extra books by Gabaccia and Jacobson. Students will have three options for the final portion of the course.
OPTION 1: Research Paper: You may choose to write a research paper based on primary (mainly) and secondary sources that may be used as a MA thesis or PhD dissertation chapter or an article. The length will be approximately 20-25 pages.
OPTION 2: Intensive Readings: For doctoral students preparing for comprehensive examinations, you may elect to do some reading on immigration history. This would include selecting a number of secondary works in consultation with me. It would include periodic writing and discussion with me, as well. You would become familiar with approximately 12-15 additional secondary works.
OPTION 3: Other: If you are taking this course out of general interest and not a specialized research or reading need, we will design together a third project with commensurate work with a combination of reading and writing.
POLICIESLate Work Policy: Your grade drops one full grade for each day your work is late. You must be in class the day it is due to turn in work. If you do not come to class, your work will be counted as one day late unless you have made prior arrangements. With legitimate, documented excuses or for absences arranged ahead of time, exceptions can be made.
Grade Challenges: I am willing to entertain grade challenges provided they are submitted in writing and that you wait 48 hours after the assignment is returned before you hand in your objection. You will then need to set up an appointment with me to discuss the assignment and grade. Also, you must initiate this process within one week of the time the assignment was returned to the class. After re-evaluating a grade and meeting with you to discuss the assignment and evaluation, I may change it.
Plagiarism: To plagiarize is to present someone else’s work as your own. To present someone else’s work as your own means to use someone else’s information, ideas or writing without explicitly acknowledging with quotation marks and/or citations that the ideas and/or writing are not your own. You may be plagiarizing even if you are not directly quoting. Plagiarism is a serious offense and I will give a 0 to the first assignment in which a student plagiarizes. If a student plagiarizes again, I will fail that student in the course. If you have ANY questions or confusions about plagiarism, please let me know before you turn in your work. It is essential to be using others’ ideas and information; however, you just must provide credit where credit is due. You may find additional information about Academic Honesty (and dishonesty) as part of the Student Code of Conduct.
Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify me during the first week of class of an accommodation(s) needed for the course. Late notification may mean that requested accommodations might not be available. All accommodations must be approved through Disability Support Services located in the Idaho Commons Building, Rm. 333, 885-7200, or dss@uidaho.edu.
EXPECTATIONS Students will:
The instructor will:
READING AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE Please note that this is an approximation of what we will be doing and changes may be necessary. If so, they will be announced to the class. Also, the reading assignments are to be complete before you come to class on the day they are assigned.
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS: No Classes
Final Paper comparing Yezierska, See, and Martinez due during (or before) scheduled final exam—Wednesday, December 15, 2004, 1:00 – 3:00—in my office. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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