This course examines the history of immigration law and policy in the U.S., with a particular focus on the historical, political, and cultural conditions shaping immigration law and policy. In addition, the course looks at the history of the immigrant rights movement and immigrant community organizing, and explores the diversity of immigrant communities in the Washington, D.C. area. Students will develop their capacities for civic engagement by writing letters to elected officials about immigration law and policy and developing policy proposals of their own.
About the Instructor:
Beth Baker is a cultural anthropologist and professor with over two decades of teaching experience at California State University, Los Angeles. Her research focuses on migration, social movements, and policy, with a particular interest in immigration law and community activism. Dr. Baker has taught a wide range of courses in anthropology, Latin American studies, and gender studies, bringing a passion for civic engagement and social justice to her work in the classroom.
Returning to her roots in Washington, D.C., Dr. Baker is eager to engage with University of California students through the UCDC program. She offers expertise in areas such as political speech, social movements, and the intersection of local and national governance, with a focus on the unique cultural and historical landscape of Washington, D.C. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes community-based learning, diversity, and fostering critical thinking through real-world experiences. Dr. Baker’s approach reflects her lifelong connection to D.C., where she draws on deep community ties and personal experience with the region’s social and political history.