The following three preparatory assignments are to be submitted in class by the dates listed on the syllabus.
Assignment #1
Write a Proposal
To complete this assignment, each group must identify a specific social problem or issue that fits within your topic area and that affects and/or disadvantages Latina/os in ways that are linked to their identity as people of Latina/o descent in the U.S. In identifying the issue to focus on, you will need to take into account how other categories and dynamics--for example, of gender, sexuality, citizenship, class--are part of the general puzzle. Once you have identified an issue write a 1-2 page Proposal explaining why you have chosen your issue, what, if any, local resources exist that address this issue, and how you will divide the work among group members.
Assignment #2
Interim Report
A 2-3 page report that includes a general description of the project; an identification of the two (2) scholarly sources (beyond the assigned course readings) that you intend to use in researching your project; a list of potential interviewees; and a brief overview of your group's plan to share and coordinate work on the project. The purpose of this report is to enable your GSI to give you feedback on your project as you are developing it. The GSI will meet with each group (i.e., all members should plan to attend) to discuss these interim reports and the status of group dynamics the week following your submission deadline.
Assignment #3
Preliminary Proposal for a Plan of Action
For this assignment you will devlop three possible actions, interventions, and/or strategic plans that your group has worked out to address the issue you are working on. These need not be as developed as the plan of action (outlined in the project guidelines) in your final report, but they should offer a brief outline of the relative merits of each strategy and how each might impact the issue you have chosen. The purpose of this assignment is to enable your GSI to give you feedback on your proposed plan of action as you are developing it. The GSI will meet with each group (i.e., all members should plan to attend) to discuss Preliminary Proposal for a Plan of Action and the status of group dynamics the week following your submission deadline.
