Michael Asbury

I am interested in pursuing a report on the Mexican Americans, an immigrant or ethnic group that mixes immigrant and minority traditions. I would like to learn more about how this done and its background. The differences and likeness are a primary goal, but the people that celebrate these customs seem to me just as valid. So, it is that I ask that I be able to research this topic.

Carmen Ashby

I am interested in doing my research report on bilingual education in public schools.  By working in a public school in Texas, I am aware that these programs exist in nearly every school.  However, I am interested in finding out how these programs effect assimilation or resistance to assimilation for Mexican Americans. 

Amy Breazeale

For my research report I would like to focus on an ethnic group which mixes both immigrant and minority traditions.  Mexican Literature tends to be ambivalent so I want to concentrate on how this ethnic group illustrates these mixed characteristics.  I want to use course text but also find outside sources for my report.  Are there any outside sources you could direct me to that would help?

Nathan Brown

I would like to do a research report on Anzia Yezierska and her numerous works.  This would include, as assigned, a bibliography and career review.  I would like to do this report because I have never thought of immigrant Jews as an immigrant group until taking this course. I would like to know more about their literature, specifically Anzia Yezierska’s.  I already know that Jewish Americans faced anti-Semitism and would like to research her literature to find out what other hardships they faced.

Joel Carter

For my research report, I will analyze the incredibly rich lexicon used to categorize and describe immigrant and minority groups. I will analyze several key terms historically and etymologically, then I will contrast dated words that are no longer “politically correct” with expressions that convey group pride and solidarity.

Afro-American, Latino, Oriental, Mulatto, Hispanic, Chicano, Negro, Asian, Indian…

Although there are endless terms in the racial & ethnic nomenclature, each word can quickly be divided into two groups: offensive and otherwise. Then there is the ultimate paradox: the dreaded “N” word—a racial expression that has taken a wild ride to become the only word to maintain simultaneous membership on the list of the unspeakable and the endearing.

My research will confront the question with which every minority is familiar: “What are we supposed to call you people?” This question is important (despite the obvious lack of subtlety) since a person may believe that their entire identity begins with their response.

Linda Castro

I plan to research Mexican Women Writers. I want to write about their different genres and writing styles. The author I hope to research is Maria Luisa Puga. Hopefully, I can narrow it down to one author, because I also found material on Silvia Molina that was interesting.

Mark Chapa

My ancestry is of mixed descent and the ancestry of my children is even more diverse. My wife is primarily Irish from both sides of her family and the majority of her extended family is from Oklahoma.  I previously did research on Native American Indians because of my wife’s background, now I am pursuing the Irish heritage.  I constantly hear about a potato famine and a migration.  I am curious to find any literature marking the arrival of Irish immigrants and their encounters. 

Marina Collier

[arranged marriages--from in-class exam]

Tammara Congdon

I would like to do my research report on first generation Turkish immigrants (maybe 2^nd generation also) since I have friends that fit into this category, but have never really talked with them about their initial experiences.  I hope to learn more about the immigration process and impact on the immigrant from that region of the world.  I would like to informally interview some of the immigrants from Turkey in order to find out some of their initial reactions to America , why they decided to come here, American’s reactions toward them, etc.  I would also like to find some literature written by Turkish immigrants, as I have not come across any, yet.

Karol Davis

[immigrants and minorities in Southwest USA--from in-class exam]

Keri Duggan

I would like to do my research proposal on the Americanization of immigrant daughters, particularly Jewish daughters.  I think this is a very interesting subject because women are oftentimes tore between their family values/traditions and gaining their independence at the same time, since they are now a part of America, where they have that right.  I want to focus primarily on Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska.  I have not yet read the novel, but I have heard amazing things about it and the reviews I have read seem to tie into how a female struggles with gaining her independence and becoming educated while trying to please her family simultaneously (sounds a lot like some American’s too).  If I do not find enough in the novel, Bread Givers I may try to expand the research to include other cultures, particularly Chinese-Americans.  I hope that this sounds okay for a research idea, and any input/opinion from you is greatly appreciated. 

Beth Fenner

I think I can use the underground railroad in that it pertains to immigration as the movement of slaves from the South (Old World) to the North (New World). But, I'll have to include life both before and after to compare and contrast. I may just do slave movement from slavery to freedom rather than focusing on the Underground Railroad specifically.

Another thought I had was that I can do the slave trade as forced immigration. I'd rather work with the South/North thing as it isn't as depressing as the Africa/America thing.

Shlena Freeman

I would like to research the effect of Jewish diaspora on the relationship between father and daughter.  I would like to show how the scattering of the community leads to greater independence of daughters.

Daniel Garcia

What I would like to learn more about is the literature of Mexican Americans.  I want to examine if the Mexican American narrative leans closer to the immigrant or minority side, or if it is firmly entrenched in the middle.  I have always thought of it is closer to the immigrant narrative, but would enjoy doing research as to whether this is right or not.

Maria Garcia

After reading the assigned readings dealing with the Mexican-American ethnic group I decided to research more about this group. I am part of this group and I identify myself greatly with some of the readings. I would use a work from Sandra Cisneros because I have read some of her works and have enjoyed them. What I want to accomplish with this research is to know more about people that have been and are in the same situation as I have been.

Heather Garcia-Miranda

I want to do my research over Mexican Americans and how they assimilated into America. I want to know what journey they took and how they accomplished the goal of living in America. I also want to know what traditions they kept and which ones they gave up. I want to read about Mexican American authors who struggled to get their work published and if they ever got published.

Loretta Gould

[immigrant women and education--from in-class essay]

Tonya Grasha

In my research assignment I plan to explore my Yugoslavian roots.  My grandfather is from Yugoslavia he immigrated here as a young child along with his family, unfortunately his mother did not like America and returned to Yugoslavia with all of my grandfathers siblings, only my grandfather and his father remained her in the states.  I do not really know anything about Yugoslavia, I was told that during the war my family was on the losing side of things; however I'm not even sure what side that was.  I hope to discover what the former Yugoslavia is called, and what language(s)  they speak there, and how many if any Yugoslavians immigrate to America each year.

Vashaun Grogan

I would like to do my research on the migration of Mexicans to the United States. I would like to focus more on the women’s role rather than the men’s. I have looked into a few things having to do with factory work for Mexicans that is found along the border. I find this very interesting.

Laura Guerrero

I am interested in performing research on Mexican-American literature.  I would like to concentrate on the traditions of this ethnic group.  I am not sure how I can condense my research.  I thought of maybe comparing the traditions of both immigrant and minority groups of Mexican-Americans.  I am hoping to find out why and how traditions are lost through generations.

Sarah Hardwick

[Irish immigration--from in-class exam]

Joanna Harlan

In my report I will attempt to reveal how homeless people can be categorized as immigrants, minorities, and in-between the two. I will incorporate poems and literature written by homeless people that tell of their personal stories in an effort to show how they meet, and fall short of, the five Immigrant Narrative Stages. Through this report I hope to uncover how it is that homeless people are a society in and of themselves.

Peggy Johnson

I am interested in a research report focusing on Cajun immigrant history and Cajun cultural narrative.  My purpose is to explore the literature available on this sub-culture’s past and present experiences.  Also, because my own ancestors migrated from Nova Scotia to Louisiana, I have common knowledge of Cajun heritage to enhance my essay.  I would also like to answer my own question as to whether the Cajun story fits into the “in-between” culture of immigrant and minority literature through my journey of study on the topic.  I lean towards the “in-between” model because Cajuns are noted for retaining a culture that is unique to America.  Does this mean that they have not fully assimilated?  This is a broad topic and I would like to narrow my focus as to gender and family roles within the multicultural aspects of Cajun life.  Any suggestions, authors, or direction would be very much appreciated.

Matasha A. Lewings

I hope to write a report on the role of the children in the family structure of the immigrant narrative.  I will mostly focus on Bread Givers while also referencing other short stories.  I will focus on Objective 5, in particular the parts on family and community/laws.  Any thoughts/suggestions/etc. would be very helpful.

Kristin Long

I think I want to do my report on Mexican-American literature.  I want to see what the differences are between first, second and third generations.  I would like to learn how much progress is made in those three generations, or at least in the first two.

J. Elizabeth Meche

[Jewish-American immigration--from in-class exam]

Sara Moreau

Theresa Mullins

To make that connection and realize the importance of Ellis Island as the most important portal to both famous and ordinary immigrants seeking a better life.

Julie O'Gea

Last semester I was introduced to the Hatian writer, Edwidge Danticat, while reading Breath, Eyes, Memories as a course requirement.  It was the first book I had read in a long time that conjured such powerful emotions in me.  I found myself weeping with the protagonist and becoming angry over the issues that angered her.  I was so touched by the novel I read that I was excited to see that we were going to read one of her shorter works for this class.  I do not know much about her except that she is my age and she was only 25 years old when she wrote Breath, Eyes, Memory.  I would like to research her biography to find out more about her life and her works.

Rosa Ortiz

My proposal for my final research project is to research Sandra Cisneros and how she comes about her work.  I feel I can relate to her because like her I am originally from Chicago and moved to Texas.  I have always been fascinated by her work, but never took the time read on her life.  I know most of her work begins from her life experiences, but then they take on a life of their own.  I think it would be rewarding for me to finally do the research on her that I have been wanting to do through this opportunity.

Jo Lynn Sallee

I have always been perplexed by the way Chinese females are treated as disposable in the Chinese society.  I would like to study different Chinese American authors, possibly Amy Tan, Maxine Hong Kingston or Gish Jen.  I could look for issues pertaining to transition from an officially repressed women’s state in Asia to an officially free woman’s state in America.

Cynthia Stone

I propose that my research topic be on the use of literature to express and seek cultural acceptance and understanding from readers by the Jewish-American people. I will use readings form the class and show how they use their words to reach out to people in search on letting the public know how they feel and who they are. Acceptance and understanding of a culture that many so not understand because it is so closed to non-followers. This reaching out through literature can be seen through out literature in any culture that is seen to day. I will show how language in these texts reaches out to the readers.

Almeta Stonum

While on spring break I took the time to read Bread Givers.  It was indeed a most enjoyable pastime.  I could hardly bear to put I down although I found myself very upset with Mr. Smolinsky and his chauvinist  attitude towards women.  I even found myself totally outraged at the women for allowing themselves to remain in such a controlling situation of disrespect.  Since this is not the only piece of literature I’ve come across where women are so mistreated, I would like to do my research as a type of compare and contrast on the roles and treatment of women in different cultures.  I hope that this subject matter will be agreeable to you.

Linda Sulpacio

[language and identity--from in-class exam]

Mary Tinsley

I would like to pursue one of the topics mentioned in the syllabus, more specifically the history of Irish American immigrant groups and perhaps a few significant literary contributors.  This will be a beneficial topic for me as it will help me to learn more about my own Irish heritage, and will no doubt thrill my very Irish grandmother. 

Elena Trevino

I would like to do my paper on option 1 and elaborate on how Mexican Americans assimilate from the old world to the new world and what is their reasoning’s for assimilating.  I would like to include in this topic some personal experiences with immigration in my family and talk of the similarities with them and some of these stories. I was wanting to know from you if this is a broad enough topic or do I need to compare and contrast with other immigrant races?

Christina Whitener

I want to elaborate on the American dream, and why it does not work for everyone. I want to find in depth reasons for people wanting the American dream so badly. I also want to elaborate on why and how this American dream got to be so big. Will the American Dream ever stop being told?

Telishia Woodard

I am planning to focus my final research proposal on an immigrant or ethnic group that mixes immigrant and minority traditions and I really want to focus on Jamaicans. I chose this group because I have never really looked into to lives of Jamaicans.  They seem so much like the African American or Black culture but yet I know that there are a lot of differences associated with this group. So I would like to do some research on the group and obtain some background information for my own knowledge as well as for this class.