Co-Instructors: Cory Molzahn and Liz Perry
Instructor Email: cory_molzahn@yahoo.com; eperry@ucsd.edu
Prerequisites: None

Course Description: The 2,000-mile US-Mexico border has increasingly dominated news headlines, intensified a polarized debate about the future of border communities, and exemplified a need for greater regional research. The San Diego sector alone makes up 66 miles of that border, making UCSD an exceptional institution for border studies. This course will give students an understanding of the fluid nature of the U.S.-Mexico border, the resulting movement of people, resources, and culture, and the effects that movement has on geopolitical and social relations at both micro and macro-levels. We will look at how this trans-border movement impacts individual and group identity, both externally and self-imposed, of people residing in or otherwise influenced by the border region.

Over the course of three weeks, students will explore issues of migration, human rights, the environment, economics and culture as they pertain to the San Diego/Tijuana border and examine how these themes interrelate. Furthermore, students will examine key sociological theories and concepts of identity as they relate to the border.

There will be an emphasis on establishing a dynamic learning environment through first-hand experience such as field work and excursions, mini-research projects utilizing UCSD's cutting edge research centers (including the Center for US/Mexican Studies, the renowned Center for Comparative Immigration Studies, and the Latin American Library collection), and discussions with experts and advocacy groups.

Course Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to critically think about various themes related to the U.S.-Mexico border, with emphasis on foundational theories and concepts used to examine identity. Focused themes consist of migration, immigration policies, economic relations (including remittances, NAFTA, and maquilas), environmental considerations, art, culture, and social life. We will examine these themes through the lens of historical and contemporary theories and analyses of identity relevant to the border such as identity negotiation, social construction, group identity, and assimilation and acculturation, while paying particular attention to the axes of differentiation (i.e. gender, ethnicity, class, nationality, and age).

Expectations:

Given the socially charged nature of the border, students will be expected to arrive to class every day with an open mind, and be willing to subject their own preconceptions to scrutiny. Since the course will consist largely of guest speakers who are respected in their fields, students will be expected to treat guests with due respect. Of equal importance, students will be expected to contribute to a safe and engaging learning environment, demonstrating respect for classmates, instructors, tolerance for diverse opinions, self-awareness of body language and attitude, and allowing time and space in discussion for all class members to participate. The course will also include a number of field trips, including at least one to the border region ñ therefore, students will be expected to adhere to particularly strict standards of punctuality, respect, and safety. There will also be readings that students will need to complete on a daily basis for participation in the next dayís class. Students will demonstrate their familiarity with course materials through their class participation. The success of the course will ultimately depend on all students readily sharing their experiences and insights gleaned from the course readings, guest speakers, and field trips; such participation will therefore be expected on a daily basis.