In the field of borderland studies, both theoretical and historical works have contributed to a growing body of analysis that seeks both qualitatively and quantitatively to define the mechanics of group construction and interaction along the U.S./Mexican border. The majority of these works have focused on either, historically, an apology for the Anglo-American conquest of the border region and thus a minimization of the pluralistic composition of border culture or, more recently, a theoretical deconstruction of the colonial border dynamic which favors the minority contributions and condition, notably in Hispanic and Chicano studies.In both cases, the nuances and regional specificities of interaction are downplayed in favor of encompassing theoretical or historical positionings. While not seeking to devalue or to disregard this rich analytical heritage, our thesis strives to expand upon the existing body of borderland study work by focusing on the region of San Diego, California during the formative period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries using recent developments in multiple disciplines as well as revisiting the canonic sources.Our objective is to answer questions such as the following: In the light of current research, and viewed through the prism of representations of personal and community identity constructs, can the historic regional culture of San Diego be viewed as unique and essentially hybrid in nature? If so, how does the revision of this historic culture affect the construction and interpretation of contemporary borderland theories as it applies to this site? What are the implications and stakes for a rapidly developing region - culturally, economically, and politically?In order to answer these questions, a historical contextualization has been established that focuses on the themes of hybridity and mixity. A detailed description and analysis are then made of the regional population and the physical living and working spaces created by it, both in terms of general trends and specific case studies of emblematic architectural site and key historic figures during each of the successive periods of regional governance: Spanish, Mexican and United States. The results of these studies are examined through the optic of canonic historical viewpoints and contemporary theoretical paradigms of borderland study, subjecting them to a broader discussion and placing them within the context of current demographic, socio-economic, and political change. The results of our study favors a complexification of the analysis of interactions and identity constructs along the U.S.-Mexican border, with increasing recognition of hybrid constructs in local spheres.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:CCSD/oai:tel.archives-ouvertes.fr:tel-00991140 |
| Date | 10 December 2013 |
| Creators | Swartwood, Jeffrey Neil |
| Publisher | Université Michel de Montaigne - Bordeaux III |
| Source Sets | CCSD theses-EN-ligne, France |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | PhD thesis |
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