Course Description and Requirements

INT 100LA is a 2-unit class that focuses on advanced research techniques in the fields of Chicana/o Studies and Latin American & Iberian Studies. This class will be beneficial to advanced undergradate and graduate students who want to learn in-depth research skills. The course emphasizes a systematic approach to a single research topic, and is designed primarily for students who are writing a senior honors thesis, a Master’s thesis or a PhD dissertation. Concurrent enrollment in a course with a research requirement is encouraged.

This course covers a variety of electronic and print resources in the humanities and social sciences. Students are expected to complete the written assignments and to come to class prepared to discuss assigned readings.

Course Objectives
Students in this course will

• Gain an understanding of general research techniques and sources within different disciplines
• Apply this understanding to research in Chicana/o Studies and LAIS by
  • Locating research materials for Chicana/o Studies and LAIS
  • Exploring specialized collections and libraries at UCSB
  • Learning to evaluate critically various types of information on related topics
  • Understanding the politics governing information
• Learn how to teach basic research skills

Grading Guide:

Assignments: 5 @ 6% each = 30%
Resource Presentation: 25%
Attendance and Participation: 20%
Final Project: 25%

Requirements:

The five assignments must be turned in on the dates shown on the syllabus. This course progressively develops skills and therefore it is important to complete the assignments sequentially and on time.

Resource Presentation
Each graduate student will give one resource presentation. This entails:

• becoming familiar with the assigned library resources
• creating a guide (either in print or as a webpage) describing the aspects and functionalities of the resources
• giving a 30 minute demonstration of the resources to the class
• designing a brief exercise for guided exploration of the resources for the rest of the class

Final Project
The final project for this course for the graduate students is an evaluation of the collections available to you at UCSB. A more detailed description of the assignment will be distributed in class but it will involve:

• Evaluating the materials for your subject that are here at UCSB
• Listing the materials for your subject in the rest of the UC system
• A bibliography of items which you have requested or will need to request through interlibrary loan
• Recommendations for items to be purchased by UCSB Libraries to support your research

The last 20-30 minutes of most class weeks will be devoted to research time. Students should be prepared to take advantage of this time to do research with help from the instructor and from each other. This is part of the class time and should be considered as such (this means not leaving early, working on other assignments, planning for the weekend, etc).

No text is used and several classes incorporate guest speakers or trips to local collections, so attendance at each class is required. One unexcused absence is allowed, after which the student’s grade will be dropped one letter per unexcused absence. It is important to be on time to accommodate presentations by fellow students and guest speakers or me.