Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course introduces the historical foundations of Chicano and Latino Studies by examining the experiences of Latino communities in the United States from the colonial period to the present. Through readings, films, and historical documents, we will explore topics such as identity, race, colonialism, migration, citizenship, labor, and social movements. By understanding the historical forces that have shaped Latino communities, students will develop a stronger foundation for analyzing contemporary issues affecting these communities today.

Required Text

Gómez, Laura E. (2022). Inventing Latinos: A New Story of American Racism. The New Press.

Any format of this text is acceptable—print, digital, or audiobook. I encourage you to choose whichever format best fits your learning style and budget.

This course is fully online and asynchronous, which means we do not meet at scheduled class times. You can complete the weekly coursework at the times that work best with your schedule, provided you meet the assignment deadlines.

You must log into the course on the first day of the term and complete the required Introduction discussion by the first Wednesday of the course. After the first week, you should plan to log into the course at least twice each week to stay on track.

Discussion posts are an important part of this course. They help you engage with the readings, videos, and other course materials, practice analyzing course concepts, and learn from your classmates by sharing ideas and providing thoughtful feedback.

To be successful in this course, you should:

• Log into the course at least twice each week.
• Complete the assigned readings, videos, and other course materials.
• Submit your weekly discussion post by Thursday at 11:30 p.m.
• Reply to at least two classmates by Sunday at 11:30 p.m.
• Complete any additional assignments by their posted due dates.
• Check Brightspace (D2L) regularly for announcements and updates.

Some info on your Instructor can be found here.

No special technology is required.