Social and Economic History of the Southwest I (1500-1848)
Written Assignment Instructions:
Assignment:
The written assignment for this course will be a 5-10
page interpretive essay on a theme or topic of your choice. You
must meet with me during regular office hours ((Tuesday, 4-5PM;
Thursday, 9:30-11:30AM and 4:00-5:00PM), or by appointment, at
least once during the quarter in order to discuss the subject
of your written assignment and your timetable for its completion.
Additional sign-up hours are available on the midterm (Section
III).
- The essay will be due during a period that begins on Tuesday,
May 9 and ends on Thursday, June 1. Essays should be turned in
at the beginning of class.
- For essays turned in on or before
Tuesday, May 23th, you will have the option of rewriting the
paper (for submission on June 6th).
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ES130 / HIUS158 Syllabus
Instructions:
1) Think about a topic drawn from the themes and issues presented
in this course. A list of suggestions for possible topics can
be found on page 2 of this handout. You are encouraged to pursue
areas of your own interest, using these suggestions as guidelines
of the kind of themes or topics available.
2) Attend office hours (Wednesdays, 3:30-54:30PM, Thursdays,
2:00-5:00PM, Social Science 227) or schedule an appointment outside
regular office hours. Read the sample topics and be prepared to
present your idea for a possible topic or theme. We will work
to explore your interests and define or refine the topic of your
paper. You will select a due date for your essay at this time.
3) You are writing to interpret some aspect of the material
covered in this course. This assignment should involve a creative
and interpretive effort on your part. Your essay must not be a
book report, and no additional research is required outside of
the assigned readings and lecture material.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In fairness to the other students
in the class, I generally do not accept late essays except in
extreme and properly documented circumstances. I am, however,
willing to help to resolve difficulties that you might have with
the essay or the deadline as long as you speak to me about the
matter before the assignment due date.
Sample Essay Questions
- Questions drawn from the reading
questions for Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca. Adventures
in the Unknown Interior of America
- Questions drawn from the reading
questions for Ramón Gutíerrez, When Jesus
Came, the Corn Mothers Went Away: Marriage, Sexuality, and Power
in New Mexico, 1500-1848.
- Interpret the reconquest of New Mexico. Sources: Gutíerrez,
the interrogations of Pueblo Indians (Hackett), and Journal of
Diego de Vargas' journal, Surviving Columbus, video. Last
two in reader.
- Compare 19th century Spanish settlements in Texas and New
Mexico. Sources: readings from April 30, May 5, 12, 26. In reader
and Tejano Origins in Eighteenth-Century San Antonio.
- Spanish approaches to Native Californians during early settlement
of Alta California. Sources: readings for May 12, 14, 19 and
Richard Henry Dana descriptions.
- Compare and contrast reasons for settlement and social construction
of early colony in New Mexico, Texas, and California.
- Effects of late colonial social and economic changes (Bourbon
Reforms) on Spanish settlements in New Mexico, Texas, and California
(comparison of two or all three).
- Questions drawn from the reading
questions for Richard Henry Dana, Two Years Before the
Mast.
- Questions drawn from the reading
questions for Susan Magoffin, Down the Santa Fe Trail
and into Mexico.
- Questions drawn from the reading
questions for Dana, Magoffin, and Ruxton.
- Compare and contrast late colonial societies in Alta California,
New Mexico, and Texas.
- Why did Mexico lose Texas in the 1830s? Would the same have
happened to New Mexico and California if the United States had
not annexed Texas in 1845?
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ES130 / HIUS158 Syllabus