Brooklyn College Library LibGuides Home: PRLS 1001: Introduction to Puerto Rican and Latin@ Studies (Santiago): Home

Welcome Message

Welcome to PRLS 1001- Intro to Puerto Rican & Latino Studies!

My name is Prof. Vanessa Santiago, and I will be your instructor for the course. I am looking forward to a terrific semester with you. I want to welcome everyone, and I would encourage you to post a short informal hello message in the "Introductions" discussion forum to let me know you received my welcome message, and to briefly introduce yourself to your fellow classmates.

Although the official start date for the course is not until 8/30/23, all students (who have officially registered) now have access to the course on Blackboard (BB) course site, so feel free to start exploring our online learning environment. All details of the course can be found within the online course site, syllabus, and modules.

I also wanted to take a moment to post a couple of points as we get started. This course will have regular weekly assignments due, weekly online discussions forums, as well as readings and course materials. This is not a self-paced course--it's important that you keep on top of the weekly reading and assignments! Each of you must manage your own time each week to know when assignments, and any other weekly course obligations, are due. This will involve regularly logging into BB to check discussion forums and communications, monitoring your campus email address, and virtually interacting with classmates, instructors, and course materials.

At this point, I suggest the following actions:

Log into Blackboard and begin to familiarize yourself with the BB learning management system and the PRLS 1001 course site.
Make sure you’ve confirmed your email address in the BB system so you can receive messages and announcements I’ll be sending.
Check out your BB Calendar for assignment due dates so you can plan your semester accordingly.
Submit your first assignment--introducing yourself in the Check-In Discussion— preferably before our first session.
Read through the syllabus so you know the rhythm of the course, and what is expected. (I’ll be uploading the syllabus in the next day or so).

As you get started, I'm happy to answer any questions that may arise, or point you to our tech support for more technical questions. Please post your specific questions about the class in the Getting Started forum. I look forward to working with you this semester and getting off to a strong start!

Best,
Prof. Santiago

Course Description

Survey and theoretical foundations in Puerto Rican and Latin@ studies. Case study on Puerto Rico. Pertinent themes in Puerto Rican and Latin@ history, culture, literature, contemporary society, and politics. Impact of the United States’ economic policies on Puerto Rico and the causes of Puerto Rican and Latin@ migration to New York City and urban centers. Satisfies Pathways Flexible Core U.S. Experience in its Diversity requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Students will understand the Puerto Rican and Latin@/Hispanic migration processes and emerging realities of diasporic communities in the U.S.A.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of race, ethnicity, class, gender, national origin, and/or language regarding the experiences of Latin@/X/Hispanics, Caribbeans, and/or Latin Americans.

CUNY Policies

Brooklyn College's Diverse Center for Student Disability Services group smiling.

The Brooklyn College Center for Student Disability Services external link. is back to working in-person on campus, though you can still reach out via email and phone. Please email them at testingcsds@brooklyn.cuny.edu for assistance.

Location: 138 Roosevelt Hall
Phone: 718.951.5538
FAX: 718.951.4442
Department Office Hours:

Monday: 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–6:45 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m.–6:45 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

Note: Office hours during summer and winter intersession breaks varies.

Students should inform the professor if they have a disability or any other situation that may require Section 504/ADA accommodations. The faculty and staff will attempt to work out whatever arrangements are necessary.

Please provide your professor with your course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with your professor as soon as possible to ensure accommodations are met in a timely fashion.

In order to receive academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or who suspect that they might have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell or the Assistant Director, Josephine Patterson or their general email testingcsds@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Center for Student Disability Services (CSDS) Mission:
It is the mission of the Center for Student Disability Services (CSDS) to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to all campus facilities, curricula, and activities. The program’s objective focuses on providing students with reasonable disability-related accommodations and the opportunity to maximize their academic success at Brooklyn College. The goal is to ensure an inclusive environment while maintaining and enhancing the college’s academic excellence by providing students with disabilities the opportunity to achieve their highest possible academic potential.

Academic dishonesty of any type, including cheating and plagiarism, is unacceptable at Brooklyn College. Cheating is any misrepresentation in academic work. Plagiarism is the representation of another person’s work, words, or ideas as your own. Students should consult the Brooklyn College Student Handbook for a fuller, more specific discussion of related academic integrity standards.

Academic dishonesty is punishable by failure of the “…test, examination, term paper or other assignment on which cheating occurred” (Faculty Council, May 18, 1954).

In addition, disciplinary proceedings in cases of academic dishonesty may result in penalties of admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary probation, restitution, suspension, expulsion, complaint to civil authorities, or ejection (Adopted by Policy Council, May 8, 1991).

NOTE: If you have a question about how to cite correctly ask your teacher BEFORE submitting your work.

The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism.
Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both.
View complete text of CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation.
If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member must report the violation.
Please read the section entitled “Academic Regulations and Procedures” in the Brooklyn College Undergraduate Bulletin or Graduate Bulletin for a complete listing of academic regulations of the College.

Bereavement Policy:

Students who experience the death of a loved one must contact the Division of Student Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall, if they wish to implement either the Standard Bereavement Procedure or the Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure. The Division of Student Affairs has the right to request a document that verifies the death (e.g., a funeral program or death notice). Contact Email: studentaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Typically, this death involves that of a family member, in parallel to the bereavement policy for faculty and staff. However, it is up to the discretion of the Division of Student Affairs to determine if a death outside of the immediate family warrants implementation of the student bereavement policy.
As an option, and in consultation with the Division of Student Affairs, students may take the Leave of Absence Bereavement after the Standard Bereavement.
Reference to the Student Bereavement Policies will be noted on course syllabi.
Students requesting a religious accommodation should contact the Division of Student Affairs as well. The chief student affairs officer, or a designee, and the student will engage in an interactive process with the goal of finding an acceptable accommodation.

Bereavement Procedure:

Upon approval from the Division of Student Affairs, the student is allowed one week, commencing from the day of notification to the Division of Student Affairs, of excused absence.
Should the student feel that he/she needs additional days, these should be discussed with individual course instructors and/or the Division of Student Affairs.
The Division of Student Affairs will contact the student’s faculty and academic staff of the student’s courses.
Faculty and academic staff will be advised that extensions must be granted to the student for the period of one week of excused absence.
Further extensions may be negotiated with the student when he or she returns to campus.
Students are encouraged to discuss options with their instructors.

Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure:

Students may be allowed to withdraw from the semester in which the death occurs.
The Bereavement Leave of Absence is for one semester only.
Students who have opted to take the Bereavement Leave of Absence and have already attended classes for the semester of the leave will be allowed to re-enter the following semester without having to reapply to the college.
Students who wish to take the leave of absence prior to the beginning of the semester will be required to reapply for the following semester.
Students who are in good academic standing will be given the opportunity to successfully complete the credits for the semester in which they return.
Students will consult with the Division of Student Affairs, on a case-by-case basis, as to whether they should withdraw from their courses during this leave of absence or to request incompletes from the faculty member.
Given that there may be a potential impact on financial aid, students who receive financial aid and who take the Bereavement Leave of Absence, upon arrangement with the Division of Student Affairs, will meet with a financial aid adviser prior to taking this option.

The New York State Education Law provides that no student shall be expelled or refused admission to an institution of higher education because he or she is unable to attend classes or participate in examinations or study or work requirements on any particular day or days because of religious beliefs.
Students who are unable to attend classes on a particular day or days because of religious beliefs will be excused from any examination or study or work requirements.
Faculty must make good-faith efforts to provide students absent from class because of religious beliefs equivalent opportunities to make up the work missed; no additional fees may be charged for this consideration.
If classes, examinations, or study or work requirements occur on Friday after 4 p.m. or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, or study or work requirements will be made available on other days, where possible and practical.
The faculty and the administration will not allow any adverse or prejudicial effects to accrue to students availing themselves of this regulation.
If students have complaints about the application of this policy, they are entitled to bring action or a proceeding for enforcement of their rights in the Supreme Court of Kings County

CUNY Support Services

Brooklyn College offers a wide variety of supportive services for students. These include:

Food Pantry
Location: 312 Student Center.
Phone: 718.951.5059
Email: civicengagement@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Mission: Recognizing the challenge that students may experience getting enough food, Brooklyn College's Food Pantry opened on November 24, 2015. The Food Pantry offers healthy food selections to currently enrolled Brooklyn College students who may be experiencing hunger, so that they can focus on their academic studies. All information about applications to this food program will be kept confidential.
CUNY EDGE (Educate, Develop, Graduate, Empower
Location: 1163 Boylan Hall
Phone: 718.951.5067
A partnership between the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the City University of New York. CUNY EDGE provides eligible students in pursuit of an undergraduate degree with a wide range of services, supplemental resources, and support needed to succeed in college and in their careers.
Social Services/Case Manager
The Social Services/Case Manager supports students by coordinating services across the campus and within the community to assist students facing crises, life traumas, and other barriers that may impede their success
Personal Counseling
Personal counseling services at the center are free to students at the college. All services are confidential — no information about clients is provided to anyone, either outside or within the college, so your counseling is completely private (except for rare instances involving serious danger to self or others).
Health and Wellness Brooklyn College
The Division of Student Affairs, along with with other academic and administrative offices, offer these health and wellness services to assist you during your career at Brooklyn College. Many of these benefits are available to students, faculty, and staff. All services for currently enrolled students are free of charge.

Note from Professor: As an educator, I support the rights of undocumented students to an education. If you have any concerns in that regard, feel free to discuss them with me, and I will respect your wishes concerning confidentiality.

Brooklyn College's Immigrant Student Success Office
Location:117 Roosevelt Hall
Email: Jesus.Perez@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Immigrant Student Success Office or access the College’s Resources for Undocumented Students and DACA. For those who would benefit from support with English language, ESL services are available. The mission of the Immigrant Student Success Office (ISSO) is to recruit, enroll, and retain students, with an emphasis on new immigrants, such as students granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) who identify with the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAMERS), and first-generation students by providing the necessary academic and non-academic support to ensure graduation from Brooklyn College in a timely manner.
Brooklyn College's Resources for Undocumented Students and DACA
Brooklyn College has a long-standing commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and education practices. We are strongly committed to supporting policies and practices that foster nondiscrimination, affirmative action, diversity, and inclusion as well as to providing myriad resources that assist our students.
ESL (English as a Second Language) Program
Brooklyn College is the largest public university in Brooklyn, which in turn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs and the chosen destination of many college bound immigrants. As a branch of the English Department, the ESL Program serves the college's immigrant population and international students by offering academic preparation in reading, writing and conversation to matriculated non-native speakers of English. Undergraduate students enroll in a series of undergraduate courses; graduate students may opt for an elective course within the graduate division.

Brooklyn College is committed to fostering a safe, equitable and productive learning environment. Students experiencing any form of prohibited discrimination or harassment on or off campus can find information Page 5 of 7 about the reporting process, their rights, specific details about confidentiality, and reporting obligations of Brooklyn College employees on the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs. All reports of sexual misconduct or discrimination should be made to Michelle Vargas, Title IX Coordinator (718.951.5000, ext. 3689), and may also be made to Public Safety (719.951.5511), the New York City Police Department (911 or a local NYPD precinct), or Melissa Chan, Associate Director of Judicial Affairs, Division of Student Affairs (718.951.5352), as appropriate. The CUNY Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination Policy and Complaint Procedures includes additional information regarding reporting discrimination and/or retaliation.

Blackboard Information

Blackboard is Brooklyn College’s on-line course management system, giving you access to class documents, assignments and readings, and professor and student contact information.

Blackboard is available through this Blackboard link at URL https://bbhosted.cuny.edu
You login using your CUNYFirst credentials.
Information on CUNYFirst at URL https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/accounts/cunyfirst
Blackboard User Guide created by CUNY

Helpful Information on Accessing Resources Remotely

To access some items you need to use your CUNYFirst login and others you will need to enter a password given to you by your professor.

The following icons will let you know what you will need to do to access the items.

If an item has no icon, then you don't need to do anything to access it.

Off-campus access. Use your CUNYfirst Username and Password to log in (same credentials for logging into Blackboard).

Password protected icon Password protected item. You will be prompted to enter the password given to you by your Professor.

Open Access item. Free to use, no need to create an account to access.

Need assistance with off-campus access? Go to the library's Library Remote Access page for assistance and instructions.

The Brooklyn College Library's electronic resources (e.g. journals, ebooks, databases, etc.) are available to registered students, faculty, and staff when off-campus, including while abroad.

IMPORTANT:

To authenticate for remote access to Library databases you will be prompted to use your CUNYfirst Username and Password to log in (same credentials for logging into Blackboard). You may see a redirection screen to the new login screen.
Using Firefox as your browser is recommended.
For further assistance go to the library's Ask a Librarian or read more on Library Remote Access.

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All CUNY members have free access to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Use CUNY.edu email to sign up.
Faculty & staff renew every year.
Students have access until graduation.
- renewal requires working CUNY.edu address.

NY Times: Anyone who initiates an account will have an active subscription for one year from the date she/he creates the account. If you already have an annual subscription to the NYTimes, you can cancel it and will receive a refund. However, if you only have a monthly subscription, the New York Times will not issue a refund for that month.

Newspaper Icons

NYTimes logo. Items located on the NYTimes site, access with free CUNY account.

Wall Street Journal logo (wsj initials). Items located on Wall Street Journal site, access with free CUNY account.