Department of Political Science
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POL S 398 Honors Seminar: Politics of Immigration in the U.S.Tuesday & Thursday, 1:30 pm - 3:20 pm, Smith Hall 111 Professor: Matt A. Barreto
Course Description: This class will examine the history and contemporary role of immigration in the U.S. political system. The class will focus on two aspects of immigration: First, a historical examination of immigration policy from the founding of the country all the way forward to the current debate over immigration reform. Second, we will evaluate and assess the political incorporation and political participation of immigrant groups in the U.S. and determine whether immigrants are being incorporated, and if not, why? We will reflect on many important questions including the costs and benefits of immigration, issues related to civil rights and civil liberties, and finally propose our own ideas and solutions to the current immigration reform debate. Each week we will take on a new topic and students will take turns presenting, or reacting to the weekly readings. At the end of the quarter, a research paper is due, or well-developed proposal for your honors thesis, depending on your own research interests, and how closely they relate to this specific class. You will also be required to make a presentation to the class on your final paper topic or proposal. Books: Each week there will be required readings from one or more of these books. Readings should be done for the day they are assigned. For some weeks, the required readings are posted online. The complete, week-by-week reading list is posted on this website.
Each class session we will have one official reviewer and one official discussant. Everybody will probably get two chances to do each task. The job of the reviewer is to provide an in-depth summary of the readings for that session to get the discussion started. The job of the discussant is to fill in any gaps, but more so, to provide a reaction to the readings, what was good, what was bad, what was missing? Following this introduction we will have an open discussion, seminar style of the assigned materials. Grading:
Short paper (5 pages) 15 points Research Presentation 20 points Midterm Exam 25 points Final Exam (15 pages) 40 points ---------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 100 pointsExtra Credit: Throughout the quarter, there will be opportunities to attend various events, talks, and symposiums on campus that are related to immigration politics which will count for small, but important, extra credit points. Important Dates: (subject to change) September 27, 2007 (TODAY) First Day of Class October 25, 2007 Short paper 1 due by 9:00 a.m. November 8, 2007 Midterm Exam (9:00 – 10:20 a.m.) November 21, 2007 Must find advisor for honors thesis November 22, 2007 THANKSGIVING – NO CLASS December 4 – 6, 2007 Research presentations in class December 14, 2007 Final Exam (2:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.) |