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SPANISH 230: |
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Miller
Humanities Building 324 Tel:
503.768.7428 |
Senior Lecturer of
Spanish and Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures |
Course
program |
|
|
SPANISH 230: |
|
Miller
Humanities Building 324 Tel:
503.768.7428 |
Senior Lecturer of
Spanish and Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures |
Course
program |
Objective: To study major works of narrative in twentieth century Latin American literature, taking into account the relationship of the Latin American intellectual to his/her society; the role of literature in the context of social and political change; the Latin American writer's response to a diverse readership (both national and international); the historical and literary antecedents to two currents of Latin American writing: intellectual, abstract, and sometimes enigmatic on the one hand (e. g. "magic realism") and socially responsive, political, and realistic on the other (e. g. "social realism").Description: As we follow these themes, we will be developing responses to subject areas of critical importance--international and cross-cultural understanding and gender issues, for example--as they are provoked by reading and discussion. The way we address the topics will include modes of thought that are not only descriptive and explanatory, but evaluative as well. Our study will involve a critique of traditional disciplinary theory and method in that we will not only read and discuss outstanding short stories, novels, and testimonial works by male and female authors within a literary context, but we will consider matters usually considered under the disciplines of history, sociology, political science and other fields, as well. Topics of inquiry encompass issues of class, gender, post-colonial political and social structure, religious values and tradition, social change, revolution and globalization. In order to discuss these topics of inquiry intelligently, we will explore the historical antecedents to the contemporary issues under consideration, particularly as these antecedents vary from the European and North American historical experience. We will see the literary developments that lead to the "boom generation" -- writers who seemingly suddenly appeal to an expanded international audience. We will consider whether an author loses touch with national or Latin American reality when writing for an international readership, and whether a work can be fully understood when read out of context and in translation.
Method: 1) Classroom: Your response to readings and your independent research will be considered a contribution to the class as a community, and as such, you will be sharing with the group in a variety of ways. In the context of meetings of the full class, this includes active participation in group discussions, leading group discussion on assigned topics (by yourself or with a partner), and contribution to small-group projects. These projects will be presented orally to the class and will provide background information for the understanding of our texts.
2) Writing: You will write three short (two-to-three page) papers to note and elaborate on your critical response to the reading, developing your ability to use language effectively to communicate and elucidate complex ideas which may arise from the texts, supplementary readings, or class discussions. These short papers will help you to sort out your impressions. They are due as indicated on the course program, about every three weeks. You will also write one longer (seven- to ten-page) paper which will require outside research. For this formal paper you will be required to follow the style guidelines found in the most recent edition of the MLA Handbook. While form is not more important than the content of your work, conforming to generally agreed-upon standards for citing others' words, listing sources which have helped you, and presenting your ideas in a readable format facilitate real communication, which is the goal for writing in the first place. You will turn in an outline and bibliography of your paper, and then write a rough draft. These will be reviewed and you may revise them before you turn in the final work. Please remember that as a member of the Lewis & Clark community, you are required to uphold our policy of academic integrity in all the work you do for this class.
There will be brief reading quizzes about once every two weeks. These will be of a factual nature and should be fairly easy to respond to if you have kept up with the required reading (both texts and background) and have understood information presented in class.
3) Multimedia activities: I will ask you to communicate with me and/or fellow students by email, to use internet resources in preparation for class, and use the computer as a tool for writing. Be familiar with the computer labs on campus (the ILC in the Miller Building is a good choice), know how to access the internet and use email. For help, contact the Instructional Technology staff in the library. There are many films in our library collection that complement this course. You will be required to see a couple of them, and you are highly encouraged to see others that I recommend on the course program. I also very much recommend seeing films by Latin American directors during the International Film Festival in February. A link to the complete list of films in the Watzek library, organized by areas of interest, appears at the top of of this page.
4) Exams: The final exam for this course will be comprehensive and will ONLY be given at the assigned time, MONDAY, May 5, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Assignments for this class will ONLY be posted on our Web page. I will also send you announcements pertaining to assignments and information relevant to the class via email. It is your responsibility to check both often for changes and updates. See the link at the top of the page for the course program.
Texts:
GONZÁLEZ ECHEVERRÍA, Roberto, Ed. The Oxford Book of Latin American Short Stories.Selected authors: Darío, Quiroga, Borges, Bombal, Cortázar, Castellanos, Ferré.CASTELLANOS, Rosario: Nine Guardians
RULFO, Juan: Pedro Páramo
GARCÍA Márquez, Gabriel: One Hundred Years of Solitude
PUIG, Manuel: The Kiss of the Spider Woman
Kristal, Efraín, Ed.: The Cambridge Companion to the Latin American Novel
Consult the bibliography of the course (handout/internet) for list of suggested background reading, supplementary videos, and other recommended works. The bibliography MUST be consulted for resources for your final paper and presentation.Those of you who speak Spanish are encouraged to read the texts in the original (find them in the library--I'll put them on reserve if there is competition) and meet outside of class for discussion in Spanish. You may write your short papers in either Spanish or English. Please write the formal paper and the exams in English, however.
Evaluation: The class is offered for a letter grade. If you have a compelling reason to take it under the CR/NC option, bring me the appropriate card to sign. (No course taken to fulfill a General Education requirement may be taken for CR/NC and you must get a C or better to receive credit under the CR/NC option.) Your grade for this class will be determined according to the following:
15% Active class participation, which includes attendance, thorough preparation of assignments, and intelligent contributions as discussion leader and responder.
10% Presentation of assigned background topic.
10% Reading quizzes
30% Critical response papers
20% Formal paper
15% Final exam
Policy on attendance and participation: Your attendance in class is required and will be recorded. TWO absences due to illness or emergencies are allowed without affecting your grade, but each subsequent absence will lower your overall average by 5%. You must notify me of any absence, excused or otherwise, as soon as possible. You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the readings and assigned topics, whether there is a prepared discussion outline or not. Students will frequently serve as discussion leaders, and you will be assigned short oral presentations on specific themes related to the reading. For these presentations, other students in the group will act as "responders," in order to facilitate conversation.
Consultation: I welcome your visits to discuss any aspect of this course, your progress with writing, or your academic career in general. Feel free to stop by anytime during my office hours (above). Schedule an appointment with me if you can't make it during that time.
Note: If you have a disability that may impact your academic performance, you may request accommodations by submitting documentation to the Student Support Services Office in Albany Quadrangle (x7156). Staff in that office will notify me of the accommodations for which you are eligible.