Race and Representation in Latin America (342-0-1)

Instructors

Stephen McNabb

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L06: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

Storying Knowledge in the Andes and the Amazon

Have you ever wondered how indigenous Latin American cultures conceive, compose, and tell their stories? Are you interested in how Andean and Amazonian societies have maintained their local knowledges, histories, and beliefs throughout colonialism and into modernity? We will explore these and similar questions in this class to consider ways in which indigenous and mestizo intellectuals have resisted, refused, and reshaped the the lettered representation of indigenous social reality across the twentieth century and into the present. Focused primarily on works of fiction and testimonial narratives from Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia, this class blends traditional literary approaches with local perspectives and cultural practices. Students will learn foundational components of Andean and Amazonian worldviews to develop new ways of looking at and analyzing literature produced from other sociocultural realities. Material to be covered includes José María Arguedas' Yawar fiesta (1941), Cesar Calvos's Las tres mitades de Iño Moxo, and testimonials like Noqaykuq Kawsayniyku (1996), and Huillca: Habla un campesino peruano (1974), among others. Prerequisite: 1 course from SPANISH 250-0, SPANISH 251-0, SPANISH 260-0, or SPANISH 261-0.

Registration Requirements

Prerequisite: 1 course from SPANISH 250-0, SPANISH 251-0, SPANISH 260-0, or SPANISH 261-0.

Learning Objectives

This class will introduce students to the history and culture of Indigenous Latin America through the analysis of literary and scholarly works. Students will be asked to summarize, analyze, and respond to primary texts; to relate primary works to contextual information and critical readings; and to synthesize their knowledge in a final project. By the end of this course, students will be able to discuss central components and characteristics of canonical Latin American literary texts and social movements. Students will be able to discuss principal elements of Andean thinking.

Class Materials (Required)

Course materials will be available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration for Majors and Minors in either Spanish or Portuguese until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisite. Prerequisite: 1 course from SPANISH 250-0, SPANISH 251-0, SPANISH 260-0, or SPANISH 261-0