Spanish 385:
Current Latin American Novel
Spring, 2002
Tuesday, 1:45-4:30
Prof. Pilar Greenwood
Cleveland 104
Office hours: MWF 1:45-4:00
Voice mail: 3306
E-mail: pgreenwood@wells.edu
Catalogue description: Advanced study of current Latin American novelists. Includes works by Julia Álvarez, MĒ Amparo Escandón, Laura Esquivel, Gabriel García Márquez, Elena Poniatowska, and José Edmundo Paz-Soldán. Other genres and authors who spearheaded current trends will also be studied for reference and contrast.
Focus of the Course: This course will explore new forms of communication and new aesthetic directions, concentrating on how current authors address new ways of understanding, of thinking and, ultimately, new forms of becoming and being. Among the questions we will consider are the following: How are the new technologies affecting the perception and self-perception in Latin American literary expression? Why and for whom do Latin American authors write? Are these new developments affecting the construction of gender roles, class, power and self in current literary productions? Is this producing new social relations or just new literary forms? Of interest for Spanish Majors with a concentration in Latin America.
Methods and Approaches: For our class discussions, we will use classic academic study of primary and secondary materials, concentrating on current novels and essays. Parallel to this traditional approach, we will contact authors and critics directly by internet, by chatting with them via our seminar's webpage, and also by personally interviewing them, when possible. (This semester we will host at least 2 Hispanic authors on campus.)
Each student will select one or more authors she may want to study in more depth. Her research will entail weekly searches online, periodic correspondence, and interviews. After gathering that material and information, students are required to do periodic reporting on those contacts in class. A minimum of two (2) presentations is required. Based on the information garnered through those contacts, through library research, and weekly readings, the students will be equipped to write a very personal and thorough final essay. All assignments are designed to expand the ways we gather knowledge and to encourage upperclass students to learn in a more interactive way.
Requirements Class attendance and informed participation is a MUST. Also required will be viewing of assigned films & videos, plus attendance at relevant lectures or cultural events throughout the semester. Unjustified absences or late work will result in a lower grade.
Papers and class presentations. A short paper (2-3 pages) due on the 3nd week; two (2) medium-size (5-7 pages) analytical papers, due on the 6th and 11th week. These papers may be replaced by substantial oral reports. A final essay (10-12 pages). Two (2) class presentations that may incorporate materials on weekly readings and class discussions as well as independent "chats" and research on a topic of interest to the individual student.
Basis for course grade: Attendance and informed participation = 40%; the oral presentations or reports on ongoing interviews and research = 30%; and the final paper = 30%.
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Final work to be delivered
Tuesday, May 14, 2002
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Texts:
De
cómo las Chicas García perdieron su acento,
Julia Álvarez, trad. J Gubern.
(1994)
Santitos.
María Amparo Escandón,
Ed. Sudamericana (1998).
Tan
veloz como el deseo,
Laura Esquivel (2001)
Aventura
de Miguel Litín, clandestino en Chile,Gabriel
García Márquez (2001) (reserva)
La
piel del cielo, Elena
Poniatowska (2001)
Sueños
digitales, José
E. Paz-Soldán (2000)
El
túnel, Ernesto
Sábato
Under
the feet of Jesus, Helena
María Viramontes
(en reserva)
http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/ciberletras
-ProQuest, and Otros "sitios" de la
red.
Statement of Responsibility: The page you are visiting belongs to Pilar Fernández-Cañadas Greenwood, a faculty member at Wells College who is solely responsible for its contents. Information on Web pages maintained by individuals reflect the ideas of those inividuals; they do not implicitly or explicitly represent official positions and policies of Wells College. Wells College claims no editorial control over material maintained by individual faculty, staff, and students. The owner of the page assumes responsibility for the content of her documents.