Topics in Latin American, Latina & Latino, and Iberian Literatures and Cultures (Taught in English) (397-0-2)

Topic

Latin American Science Fiction

Instructors

Yasmin Silvia Portales Machado

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-329: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Latin American Science Fiction

How has speculative fiction allowed Latin American creators to reimagine the continent's political projects of national identity through diverse technological contexts and ideological imaginaries? This course will use science fiction textual, visual, and audiovisual products to illustrate Latin American nations' complex relationship with technology and the policies behind the deployment of technology on a social scale. The course follows a chronological order to examine how creators across different regions of the continent use science fiction tools to address the trauma of modernization, political violence, or catastrophic natural events. Through an exploration of short stories, comics, films, and select episodes of TV shows from different regions and historical moments, this course invites students, first, to rethink their definitions of science fiction as they confront how Latin American creators push the limits of the genre; and second, to reflect on how science fiction can play with social expectations about society, civic engagement, gender roles, reproduction, and warfare through generic devices such as alien intervention, technological change, or a simple time difference. Students will engage critically with literature, comics, TV, and film, drawing on academic scholarship on fantasy, science fiction, and literary theory. Taught in English.

Learning Objectives

- To survey major themes in Latin American Science Fiction.
- To understand major historical, social, and political contexts in Latin America shape the way the creators approach the genre.
- To analyze the intersections between culture, race, class, ethnicity, sexuality and other elements as they appear within literary and artistic practices.
- To develop speaking and writing skills and sharpen powers of interpretation, critique, and aesthetic perception.
- To produce persuasive interpretation, analysis, and commentary on literature and art, both spoken and written.

Class Materials (Required)

All materials will be available on Canvas or free online.

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.