For this assignment, we will utilize a discussion forum, and we will devote some time discussing some of the themes and topics from the murals of San Diego’s iconic Chicano Park. After we observe the Chicano Park film later on in this semester, each of you will then select one of the murals and provide a critical thinking analysis of that mural. I will provide more details on what you need to discuss in just a few moments, but first let me provide you with some nuts-and-bolts details about posting your observations.
The due date for posting your initial comments is Tuesday, November 30. Please post your observations in your group forum inside of module 5. Use this forum here on page 2.7 to post your mural requests. But I will provide the first discussion post as a sample in this forum, and all of you please follow my example. After you post your comments, please be sure to reply to at least two of your classmates, and to me as well before Friday, December 10. Therefore each of you will post at least three responses total. As for choosing the specific mural you wish to discuss, here are several websites as well as the 1988 documentary devoted to the Chicano Park murals for reference. This is the documentary film that we will watch later on in the semester.
Once you select the mural, you wish to discuss, please notify me no later than Friday, November 19 at 5 PM. I will keep a list of all the murals and their artists inside the forum, as well as the individuals in the class that have selected the murals. Only one person per mural please. Once a mural has been highlighted in yellow, that means it is closed to the rest of the class. The various Chicano Park artists have created nearly 70 murals, thus there are plenty of options for everyone. Your forum comments (including your replies to your classmates in your group forums and to "el maestro") will count as 15% of your overall class grade.
In terms of the content of your discussion, I am looking for three main points of discussion. This discussion will satisfy the History Department’s Student Learning Outcome (SLO) assessment requirements. First, you will draft a thesis statement based on your observation of this mural. A thesis statement is something you would prove in a paper; a statement that can be supported by the mural you have reviewed. Your thesis statement should be about 5-6 sentences. In your thesis statement, address the following question: What was the artist’s objective in creating his/her mural and what does the mural reflect about the era in which this mural was created?
For the second point of discussion, name and describe one cause or consequence of an event associated with this mural. In other words, what were some of the historical or political events of the era that contributed to the development of the mural, or what do you think was the political or cultural impact of the mural in Chicano Park, San Diego, the state of California, or for the overall Chicano Movement? About one good-sized paragraph, up to ⅔ of a page, double-spaced, will be sufficient for your response.
And finally, for your third point of discussion, describe one historical individual involved in the event depicted in the mural and explain his or her significance in this event. In other words, why was this person significant? And by a historical individual, you may discuss the artist instead of any historical personalities presented in his or her mural. However, if there is a clear historical personality presented in the mural, I strongly encourage you to discuss that personality in your response. Even if the historical personality is a mythical figure, such as a god or goddess, you can discuss that too. About one good-sized paragraph, up to ⅔ of a page, double-spaced, will be sufficient for your response.
Below is a nearly-complete list of the murals at the park, including the title, artists, and the year of the mural's creation. Once you notify me o
"The Ball Player" (1981-82) by Vidal Aguirre
"The Bridge People" (1978 & 1993) by Victor Ochoa and Lowell School Muralists
"Che" (1978) by Victor Ochoa
"Chicanas/Escuelas" (1978) by Yolanda López et. al.
"Chicano Park/La Tierra Mia Logo" (1974) by Rico Bueno and Carlotta Hernandez
"Chicano Pinto Union" (1978) by Tony de Vargas
"Childrens' Mural" (1973) by Victor Ochoa and Lowell School Children
"Chuco/Homeboy" (1975) by Felipe Adame
"Collossus" (1975) by Congreso de Artistas Chicanos en Aztlán (CACA)
"Corazón de Aztlán" (1975 & 1988 restoration) by Tomás "Coyote" Castañeda
"Female Inteligencia" (1986) by Rosalina Balaciosos and the women of the Royal Chicano Air Force
"Handball Court Mural" (1996) by Alvaro Millán and guests
"Hasta la Bahía" (1978) by Victor Ochoa
"Hecho en Aztlán" (2000) by Victor Ochoa and Talent Search Students
"Huelga Eagle" (1978) by Raúl Espinosa and Michael Schnorr
"Mi Raza Primero (A Tribute to Roger Lucero)" (1993) by Mario Torero et. al.
"Mujer Cósmica" (1975) by Esteban Villa and Ricardo Favela
"Mural in Chicana Park" (1997) by Berenice Badillo
"Nascimiento de Parque Chicano/Astrological Mural" (1978) by Dolores Serrano
"No Retrofitting" (1995) by Mario Torero and Karmen Kalo
"O.G. Mural" (1978) by Octavio González
"Paradise Senior Center, Front and Rear Murals" (1999-2000) by Mona Mills
