LATS 471(F) Comparative Latina/o Migrations (Same as History 471) (W)*
Policymakers, scholars, the media, and others are increasingly describing the world as "global" and immigrant groups as "transnational." Yet, this course will ask to what extent
these are recent developments or historically rooted phenomena. Similarly, the increasing
popularity of the umbrella terms "Hispanic" and "Latina/o" can mask widely divergent
migration histories. In this course, we will develop the theoretical perspectives needed to
untangle a complicated web of differences and similarities in migration histories. We will
then use these migration histories to develop a comparative analysis of the experiences of
different Latina/o groups in the United States. For example, how do we explain differences
in socioeconomic status or political perspectives? Our discussions will also address the
emergence of Latina/o Studies as an interdisciplinary and comparative field of study, as well
as methods used in studying Latino and Latina history, specifically oral histories,
government documents, newspapers, and interdisciplinary approaches.
Format: seminar/discussion. Evaluation will be based on class participation and
presentations, a short historiographical essay, an annotated bibliography, and a research
paper based in part on primary sources.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 15 (expected: 8-15). Preference given to History majors
and to Latina/o Studies concentrators.
Group F
Hour: WHALEN