Write an introductory chapter on “The Immigration History and Contemporary State of (X) Americans” ~ that is, an immigrant community of your choice, BUT it must be *one* community from the detailed list included with these guidelines (consult the second page).

AAS 210 Midterm Essay Guidelines – Spring 2022
“The Immigration History and Contemporary State of (X) Americans”, DUE by or before 11 p.m. on Fri. May 6th, 2022

This essay is worth 25 points. Abide by these guidelines for full credit.

*For your midterm essay, you will write an introductory chapter on “The Immigration History and Contemporary State of (X) Americans” ~ that is, an immigrant community of your choice, BUT it must be *one* community from the detailed list included with these guidelines (consult the second page).

*Consider addressing the following issues:

– A brief capsule history of your community’s country of origin.

-What factors “drove” immigration (e.g. turmoil related to war, poverty, imperialism, etc.); why did your community emigrate, specifically to pursue a “better life” in America? Describe their immigration experiences. NOTE the “four common social and historical experiences” addressed in our lectures: 1. Turmoil in country of origin; 2. Immigration to America; 3. Oppression and exclusion; 4. Resistance, settlement, and community formation.

– Demographics (census figures, residency niches, education, etc.)

– Contemporary issues (dealing with racism, immigration policies, crime and poverty, etc.)

– Notable cultural practices and values (religion, arts, language, etc.)

– Notable individuals in history and/or modern life.

*Title your essay “The Immigration History and Contemporary State of ‘X’ Americans”, replacing the ‘X’ with your community of choice. For example, if you’re writing about Salvadoran Americans, title your essay “The Immigration History and Contemporary State of Salvadoran Americans”, and so on.

*Your essay will consist of a research essay exhibiting the high quality expected of an upper-division CSUN student. Please write with a proper sense of language and tone. Avoid colloquialism (unless it’s directly quoted in context) and inappropriate language. Please write clearly and employ your grammar and spelling check software. *As a kind of spiritual model, note my chapter on “Racism and the Pandemic”, which numbers exactly one thousand words, not counting my end notes.

*You have the option of co-writing (collaborating) with ONE other classmate. As a scholarly pair, you will both submit the same essay with both your names credited. Naturally, you will both receive the same final score. (Collaborations are not required.)

*Compose your essay in the MLA format. As much as possible, refrain from writing “dry”, uncited paragraphs. Provide COMPLETE parenthetical citations in all your supporting paragraphs and a Works Cited page after your main essay. Important: DO NOT cite “AAS Course Reader” as a source – look beyond what I’ve already shared with you, and cite other sources.

*You must cite at least TEN (10) appropriate publications or news sources. Don’t just rely on Wikipedia entries (but keep an eye out for reliable research links often listed at the the bottom of Wiki entries). Your essay must be a Canvas-uploaded Word.doc or PDF file.

*A minimum SIX (3) FULL PAGES of essay content is required, NOT including your Works Cited page). It must be composed in a standard double-spaced 12-point font (Times Roman, or any legible equivalent). There is no strict “maximum” page cap – if you wish to write more than six pages, please do so as long as your content is focused and relevant (and not BS or “filler material”). *Quality* over quantity.

*Your essay must be uploaded as a Word.doc or PDF file to our Canvas link by/before 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 30th, 2022.

*Out of fairness to your classmates and to my own busy schedule, I cannot accept late submission. Please be considerate and finish your essay on time.

: : :

** The largest numbers of immigrants to the United States have arrived from Asian and Latin American nations. SELECT ONE AND ONLY ONE OF THE AMERICAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES LISTED BELOW **

Communities of Central/East Asian Origin

Chinese Japanese Taiwanese South Korean Mongolian Tibetan

Communities of South Asian Origin

Indian Sri Lankan Pakistan Bangladeshi Bhutanese

Communities of Southeast Asian Origin

Vietnamese Khmer (Cambodian) Laotian Thai

Indonesian Malaysian Singaporean Karen (Burmese)

Hmong Mien Filipino

Communities of Pacific Island Origin

Samoan Tongan Chamorro (Guam)

Communities of West Asian Origin

Armenian Persian (Iranian) Saudi Arabian Lebanese

Syrian Jordanian Moroccan Iraqi

Yemeni Afghani Kuwaiti UAE Turkish

Communities of Latin American/Caribbean Origin

Mexican Salvadoran Guatemalan Dominican Columbian Honduran Ecuadorian Venezuelan Nicaraguan Brazilian Argentine Chilean Costa Rican Bolivian Uruguayan Paraguayan Puerto Rican Cuban Jamaican Haitian

Last Completed Projects