Journal 08; Journal ASSIGNMENT 04 (entry 09); Journal ASSIGNMENT 05 (entry 10) Journal Entry 08 (recommend doing before

we arrive in Tucson) What are some new or different perspectives/information on Mexican and US history that youve gleaned from our course readings and discussions so far? Are there any particular gaps (need for more clarification) on particular topics/issues/events that youd like to have filled in? What kinds of connections are coming together for you in relation to (perspectives presented in) other classes youve taken/topics youve studied? I have learned many specific people and examples of how the history I have been exposed to portrays events much differently. I have known that the texts and curriculum taught/used in schools is created by, predominantly white males and because of this their perspective favors their own history. I also think the people who are writing the history taught in school(past and present) tend to convey only positive aspects and ignore anything that is negative toward races/genders. I feel this is to avoid all of the difficult questions and discussions that would come with telling the whole history, after all no one wants to relive moments that they are not proud of. I still do not understand the concept of legal vs illegal immigration and where this idea came from, who decides what constitutes this, determines the quotas, etc and most importantly why-what is the concrete justification for the practices. Journal Entry 09 Journal ASSIGNMENT 04 (Journal 04 [10]) DUE 10 January 10:00 am [Print out a hard copy for yourself; well review these briefly as a group during our airport wait in Chicago ] Write, as completely in Spanish as you can for SPA 267//with as much Spanish (words/phrases) as springs to mind right now for SPW 267, a short introduction that you might give if youre called upon to present/introduce our group, our reasons for doing the border experience, and who you are and why youre interested in la frontera. Include a statement that thanks our host(s) for their welcome and hospitality. Also include several (3-4) questions that you anticipate now you might be asking host family/border community members (especially those questions related to life on the border, costs of living, and 1-2 particular issues that youre most interested in). Hola, nosotros estudiantes a Loras college en Iowa Estados Unidos. Ese clase es alli (exploring issues) muy interasante y importante por todos. Quiren ensenar (challenges faced) en la frontera. Educacion, politico, dinero, trabajo son importante preguntas tenemos. Tenemos gustaria saber que es dificil por personas veer opportunites en la frontera y igualmente que es bueno en la frontera. Nosotros encantan discubre informacion para ayudar veer la tierra mas. Muchas gracias por su assistance y (sharing) informacion muy private. ?Cuanto questan vive en la frontera, es mas o menos de otro communidades? ?Por que vive alli, viven todas las vidas? Es la escuela importante por (success) o (are there) otro (ways) esta successful ?Que es (success)? Es dinero importante de (success) ? Journal Entry 10 Journal ASSIGNMENT 05 (Journal 05 [5]) DUE 10 January before 11:55 am (well have a few minutes at the end of our am session for you to update this, in case anything occurs to you during our discussion of Arizona issues) Describe generally, but more specifically than you did in your first journal entry, what particular questions/curiosities/interests related to the course content and border delegation that you have at this point. Also, as specifically as you can, given that were still at the brainstorming stage, articulate the

anticipated primary possible theme(s) of your research paper: what specific points/questions/issues are you hoping to find more information about during our Borderlinks delegation? In general I am curious about the rationale behind immigration control, it is a large question with no answer(probably) but I am having a difficult time wrapping my head around the concept of limiting/condemning/deporting those that are working to better themselves. I have not thought about specific questions that I would like to answer while with the delegation because I tend to observe and spontaneously question while things are happening and in the moment in order to keep an open mind and absorb information while it is happening. I am curious about the lifestyle and what is important to others and what the markers of success are, this may be the topic of my research paper-In our society success is largely determined by economic indicators which tend to be thought of being achieved through education. Homeownership, stuff, income levels are what I consider to be the American indicators of success, statistically those who are considered successful have attained all of those things but at the expense of other non-measurable factors so my question is about the aspirations from within the culture, is it possible that success in the American dream mentality is not desired and the better life immigrants seek actually found through means not considered successful by others standards? What happens when the American dream is fulfilled and immigrants attain it are they satisfied or do they feel they made a mistake and sacrificed something or some part of their history/themselves they will never be able to get back?