Literature in Modern Latin America (261-0-1)

Instructors

Nathalie Bouzaglo
847/467-1543
3-139 Crowe

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-420: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

This course provides an overview of some of the major trends in Latin American literatures since 1888, while at the same time offering opportunities to improve students' oral and written Spanish. The course will emphasize various literary styles and ideological constructions that, in different ways, reflect the complexity of Latin American writing. While introducing students to the social and historical context in which the works were written, the course will focus on the following issues: the cultural and political dimensions of literature; the representation of class, gender, and race; the formative impact of nationalism and internationalism; and the concern for finding autochthonous modes of expression. Prerequisites: SPANISH 200-0 or SPANISH 204-0 (may be taken concurrently), OR have an AP score of 5 for heritage students, OR an AP of 5 in both the Spanish Language and Literature exams for non-heritage students, OR sufficient score on the Spanish Language Placement Exam.

Learning Objectives

• Observe the forms, genres, and styles of literary expression in Latin America from the end of the 19th century to the present through close reading and analysis.
• Gain awareness of the social, political, cultural, and historical factors influencing artistic expression, the relations between the artist and the public, and the potential of creative art to challenge or affirm social and cultural norms.
• Appreciate how literature reveals the differences and diversity, as well as the continuity and unity, of human cultures.
• Through class participation and writing assignments, produce persuasive interpretation, analysis, and commentary on literature and art, both spoken and written.
• Develop speaking and writing skills in Spanish and sharpen powers of interpretation, critique, and aesthetic perception through summarizing, close reading, contextualizing, and synthesizing analyses in short writing assignments and a final portfolio.

Class Materials (Required)

All course materials will be available in Canvas.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Prerequisites apply, see description
SoC Humanities and Fine Arts Distro

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre/Co: SPANISH 200-0 or 204-0 (may be taken concurrently), OR have an AP score of 5 for heritage students, OR an AP of 5 in both the Spanish Language and Literature exams for non-heritage students, OR sufficient Spanish Language Placement Exam score.