Spring 2004

SPN 325K • Spanish American Literature Through Modernism

Course Description

In this course we will examine a broad range of Spanish American literary writings within the cultural-historical circumstances that produced them. The readings, spanning Mexico to Argentina, begin with the Mexica/Aztec migration histories, Mesoamerican (Guatemala) and Andean myth/history (Peru) and accounts of Spanish exploration and "Conquest" (Colón, Cortés and Pizarro, La Monja Alférez). We will read dramas for the evangelization of the Indian (Motolinía), essays on Inka history (Garcilaso Inka de la Vega), and on the origin of the natural world in the Americas (José de la Acosta). These are followed by important examples of Colonial letters: poetry and biography of convent women, (Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and La Madre Castillo) the cartas of the Liberator, Bolivar, and the Indian leader, Tupac Amaru and, finally, for the Republican era: essays on national identity and language (Sarmiento and Prada), anecdotes on customs or "Tradiciones" (Palma) and stories of the frontier (regional cultures) (Gorriti). Evaluation is based on 1) completion of Study Guide questions 2) writing assignments („Comentarios‰ or essays) covering the seven topics in the Syllabus, 3) discussion in class on readings and 4) regular attendance and participation in class discussion. The course will also stress reading comprehension, vocabulary building skills, and practice in organizing your thought orally in discussion. Our readings will be accompanied by study guidelines and/or questions, and for homework, you will be expected to prepare an answer for one or more of the questions or topics for class discussion. Some readings marked * provide background for a historical period of literature.

Grading Policy

Homework: Composition of paragraphs on readings 30% 3 writing assignments (Comentarios) on readings 45% Participation in class discussion on readings (topics in Study Guide) & videos 25%

Texts

Course Packet of Readings (University Co-op). Colonial Latin America, 4th edition, by Mark A. Burkholder & Lyman L. Johnson

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