Sustainable Development and Social Change in Central America

 

 

Latin American Literature:  20th Century Voices - Central America SPA 356

 

Prerequisite:  Completion of Spanish 311 or its equivalent.

 

Course Rationale

Latin America is rich in literature and has produced many famous men and women writers who use literature as an important means of social, political and cultural expression, thus forming part of the movements about which they write. The students who take this course will find that it complements both the theoretical and experiential aspects of the semester program.

 

*This course counts toward the major or minor in Spanish.

 

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to contemporary Latin American literature, focusing on narratives written in the 20th century. Special emphasis is given to the relationship between literature and social change, focusing particularly on the works of women writers.  Students will read poetry, short stories, plays, testimonial literature, and one novel. As they analyze this literature, they will learn about history, politics, human rights, social activism, and gender roles in the region through the lens of fictional and non-fictional characters, and especially through the voices of women writers representing diverse class and ethnic backgrounds.

 

The course will include analysis of realism and testimony in Central American literature. The instructor encourages introspection in the analysis of literary texts through class discussions, occasional lectures, and written and oral assignments. Students are asked to imagine the context in which the author wrote and the author’s thinking at that time. In this manner, the student is able to understand the literature more clearly, as well as the relationship between language and the socio-political reality represented in the works studied. Emphasis is placed on helping students to recognize different points of view and encouraging them to actively participate in the process of change, both in themselves and in the world.  The course may include field trips to the movies and theatre, as well as guest lectures by local writers.  Students will also be encouraged to reflect on how the literature relates to both their own experiences in Latin America and to what they have learned from guest speakers.

 

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Become familiar with important authors and common themes in contemporary Latin American literature.

  • Identify different literary periods and movements in Latin American literature.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the different literary terminology employed in the analysis of different types of narratives, such as poetry, short stories, and plays.

  • Use literary terminology in their own analysis of contemporary Latin American literature.

  • Articulate a basic understanding of Latin American history, politics, human rights, social activism, and gender roles, as seen through the lens of fictional and non-fictional characters.

  • Discuss the social and political impact of Latin American writers in the struggle for social change.

  • Improve their written and oral expression in Spanish.

  • Expand their Spanish vocabulary.

Course Design

Unit I:     Introduction to Latin American Literature

Unit II:    Short Stories: A sampling of stories about historical events and key themes:  women´s participation, land distribution, human rights, and marginalized groups, etc.

Unit III:                  Poetry: Poems that focus on love, death, beauty, and time

Unit IV:   Plays: A look at plays as extensions of daily life

Unit V:    Testimonial Literature: An examination of the use of testimony

Unit VI:  The Latin American Novel: A sampling of novels of different kinds and lengths

 

Required Text and Other Materials

Aproximaciones al estudio de la literatura hispana, 4ª edicion.  By Carmelo Virginio, Edward H. Friedman, and L. Teresa Valdivieso.

          McGraw-Hill.  ISBN 0070123322

Workbook to accompany Aproximaciones.  By Anita J. Vogley.  McGraw-Hill, 2000.  ISBN  0072284773

Spanish/English dictionary

*Libro de sintónimos y antónimos para estudiantes.  Barrons.  ISBN 0-7641-1447-6

* = Highly recommended but not required

 

Required texts and materials for Spanish courses vary by level. Copies of the necessary texts will be provided by Spanish School. Other books that may be assigned by the instructor can be provided in Guatemala. 

 

Course Requirements (100% = 100 points)

15%         (15 points)        Active class participation with no more than two unexcused absences. Two points deducted per

                                         unexcused absence. Effective class participation includes regular attendance, completion of

                                         assigned readings before class sessions, active and reflective engagement in class discussions, a

                                         demonstrated effort to improve Spanish oral expression, understand the literature being studied,

                                         and relate it to other experiences in the semester. 

20%         (20 points)        Two formal oral presentations in which the student discusses her or his literary analysis of an

                                         assigned text, accompanied by a written outline. Each presentation is worth 10 points.

20%         (20 points)        Two essays analyzing different required texts. Each essay should be approximately 2-3 pages in

                                         length and is worth 10 points. 

20%         (20 points)        A final written exam that demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct literary analysis.

15%         (15 points)        Three reading exercises, each of which is worth five points each.

10%         (10 points)        Short quizzes (two), each quiz is worth five points.

 

Students will be given a weekly class schedule complete with assignment deadlines on the first day of class.

 

Grading Criteria for Class Participation

  • Students are allowed no more than two unexcused absences, and two points will be deducted per unexcused absence. 

  • Full participation involves speaking only Spanish in class, completing assignments on time, coming to class prepared and on time, participating in all class activities with enthusiasm and interest, collaboration with the instructor and other students (as applicable), and demonstrated effort at improving Spanish abilities.

Grading Criteria for the Analysis of Literary Texts

  • Comprehension and description of a work (main characters, main topic, etc.)

  • Deepness and analysis skills (interpretation, key message, significant values, etc.)

  • Application of knowledge of literary figures such as rhyme, hyperbole, etc.

Grading Criteria for Essays

  • Structure:  Introduction; organization, sequence, and development of ideas; and conclusion

  • Content:   Clarity and complexity of ideas

  • Literary Analysis:  Application of literary terminology to the analysis of the literature being discussed

  • Grammar:  Correct use of complex forms studied in class

  • Style:  Effective use of appropriate style for given assignment (description, narration, argumentation, or exposition)

Grading Criteria for Oral Presentations

  • Structure:  Introduction; organization, sequence, and development of ideas; and conclusion

  • Content:   Clarity and complexity of ideas

  • Literary Analysis:  Application of literary terminology to the analysis of the literature being discussed

  • Grammar:  Correct use of complex forms studied in class

  • Oral Expression:  Pronunciation; articulation; volume; and tone

  • Written Outline:  Organization of ideas and main points

  • Oral presentations are not considered complete (and will be graded down significantly) if they are not accompanied by an outline.