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The Early Development Of Border and Mexican American Studies
Dr. Julian Samora and Dr. Gilbert Cárdenas Consciously or not, those of us involved in Border Studies operate within a generally agreed parameter about what constitutes the U.S.-Mexico Border and its study. Today, representatives of various disciplines, as well as proponents of different perspectives and individuals in both countries, increasingly refer to a basic group of assumptions when discussing the region. Although much disagreement surrounds Border studies, some of it heated, research mostly departs from the same nucleus of premises. We mostly agree, for instance, that the Border that joins Mexico and the United States comprises far more than the strip of land contiguous to the international boundary. Most concur that it is a region whose identity, economic activities, cultural life, etc., supersedes its binational nature to be integrated in many respects. Although it appears to be a straightforward and self-evident concept from our vantage point, many years of convoluted research trails through parched deserts were necessary to reach that point. Crucial to the development of this intellectual infrastructure of Border Studies was the work in the 1950s by a mulitidisciplinary group of researchers organized by Dr. Charles Loomis from his position as the chair of the Sociology and Anthropology Department of Michigan State University. Loomis, as the following pages testify, used his personal and professional background to plan and implement a long-term research program on the Border. The network of academicians throughout the Southwest and Midwest initiated research and developed a line of inquiry that would be an extraordinary step in the intellectual development of Border Studies, and one that is not only fascinating and important but also relatively unknown. This group of researchers produced some of the literature that we now consider classics in the genre of Border Studies. Dr. Loomis, along with Dr. Julian Samora, an early and important collaborator in Border Studies and a pioneer in Mexican American Studies, graciously agreed to share their recollections and perspectives about the 1950s and 1960s. The participation of Dr. Gilbert Cardenas, presently director of the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas, balanced their points of view with his experiences of the last fifteen years. These discussions were held at CEFNOMEX in Tijuana and proved to be even richer and more stimulating that had been expected. In fact, ironically, the original idea for the project was suggested by Dr. Jorge Bustamente, President of that institution. Dr. Loomis and Dr. Samora brought to light data about people, places and research during the early years of Border Studies as we know it, that is simply not available through normal documentary procedures. This monograph contains edited excerpts from these conversations. We have also decided to include an introduction to place the participants' accomplishments into proper historical perspective and a selective annotated bibliography reflecting various phases of Border literature. Dr. Driscoll examines the nature and history of the relatively
young disciplines of United States-Mexican Border Studies and
Mexican American Studies. The author also discusses beliefs held
prior to the development of these disciplines, focusing on the
theories and assumptions of social science. Driscoll explores
the history and issues pertaining to these disciplines in a series
of "discussions" between key historic actors such as
Dr. Julian Samora and Dr. Charles Loomis. The author finally
uses this type of dialogue to show different models and proposals
used in the study of the Mexican Americans and the U.S.-Mexican
Border region. Hardcopy Price: $6.00
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