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 chose “A Mexican History” (1978) by Victor Ochoa and students) 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.

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.

THE HISTORY OF CHICANO PARK (LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

CHICANO PARK MURAL RESTORATION PROJECT (LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

CHICANO PARK MURAL MAP (LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

(LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)MURAL CREATION STORY: A CONCRETE TRIBUTE TO THE KUMEYAAY COMES ALIVE IN SAN DIEGO’S CHICANO PARK (LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

(LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

NEW MURAL IN CHICANO PARK CELEBRATES THE HISTORY OF LOWRIDING (LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

THE MURALS OF CHICANO PARK (LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

UCSD CHICANO PARK VIRTUAL EXHIBIT (LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

CHICANO PARK DOCUMENTARY (LINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE.)

I CHOSE “A MEXICAN HISTORY” (1978) BY VICTOR OCHOA AND STUDENTS

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 ? 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 ? 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.

I chose

“A MEXICAN HISTORY” (1978) BY VICTOR OCHOA AND STUDENTS