SPAN 134: Latin American Short Stories.
Professor: Euisuk Kim
Office: Mariposa 2033
Email:
Phone: (916)278-6652
Office Hours: M-Th 2-3:30 and by appointment
Course Description
This is a theoretical/practical course aimed at developing critical and evaluative reading of Latin American literature among students through rigorous analysis of short stories and novels in relation with the culture of their country and its relevance in the international setting. The thematic structure of this course is composed of the study of regional literature and the Latin American boom and post-boom literature. Creative competency will also be sought through writing exercises related to the theme of the course.
Textbooks
Skármeta, Antonio. Los días del arcoíris. Planeta: Barcelona, 2011
Other texts will be provided through course den.
Course requirements:
- 2 exams.
- Presentation
- Short essays (3): first essay 2 pages + second essay 3 pages + third essay 4 pages.
Each student will turn in three essays (2, 3, and 4 pages) on topics of their choosing. Toward the end of the semester students will also be expected to turn in a one-page explanation of the topic they have chosen for their final paper, along with brief (three to five sentences) summaries of at least five secondary sources (books or articles) that they have already consulted as they have begun to explore their topic. At least three of these sources should be ones not read in class. These sources need to be cited in your final paper.
All essays are to be written in Spanish, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. The 4page essay should include at least four critical sources. Papers should represent your own individual dialogue with these secondary sources; that is, you should be forming your own argument/ thesis about a particular work or works and using secondary sources as a basis on which to build as you contribute to the ongoing scholarly dialogue. Papers should not merely be summaries of what others have said. A good place to begin looking for secondary sources on particular authors or works is the MLA International Bibliography, available through the library website.
Students are expected to adhere to the honor code at all times in the writing of the papers: all sources should be cited using MLA style. The basics of the style can be found at the following website:
Course Policies
● Regular attendance is expected. More than four absences will result in a grade of F.
● Participation is also expected.
● Papers are expected to be submitted in class on the day they are due. Late papers will be marked down ten points for each day they are late. No exceptions. Start early so that last-minute unforeseen circumstances will not interfere with papers being turned in on or ahead of schedule.
Academic dishonesty statement:
Academic integrity is expected in all work for this course. Any student found to have received outside help on papers or tests, committed plagiarism, or violated the codes of academic honesty in any other way will receive an automatic F in the course. You may consult your professor for assistance on papers—no one else. If you are uncertain about standards for citing, please cover your bases and consult with me about your doubts before turning in the final draft of any paper.
Grading Percentages:
Essay 1, 2, 3: 15 % + 15% + 20 % each
Exam 1: 15 %
Exam 2: 15%
Presentation: 10%
Participation: 10%
*Papers will be graded using the following scale:
Content and originality: 50%
Organization: 30%
Linguistic elements (grammar, vocabulary, spelling): 20%
HORARIO
Monday, January 25
Introducción al curso
Wednesday, January 27
Introducción a la narrativa
Monday, February 1:
Tema del mes: Violencia directa e indirecta en la sociedad latinoamericana
Juan Ramón Riberyo: Los gallinazos sin plumas
Wednesday, February 3
Pablo Palacio: Un hombre muerto a puntapiés
Monday, February 8
Augusto Monterroso: Míster Taylor ______/ ______
Wednesday, February 10
Jorge Luis Borges: Emma Zunz ______/ ______
Monday, February 15
Roberto Bolaño: Sensini ______/ ______
Wednesday, February 17
Roberto Bolaño: El Ojo Silva ______/ ______
Monday, February 22
Roberto Bolaño: Putas Asesinas ______/ ______
Entrega del ensayo 1
Wednesday, February 24:
Tema del mes: Escritoras latinoamericanas
Andrea Maturana: Yo a las mujeres me las imaginaba bonitas/ Interiores
______/ ______
Monday, February 29
Carmen Naranjo: ¿Para qué matar a la condesa?
______/ ______
Wednesday, March 2
Carmen Naranjo: Ondina
______/ ______
Monday, March 7
Rosario Ferré: La muñeca menor
______/ ______
Wednesday, March 9
Exam 1
Monday, March 14
Rosario Ferré: El cuento envenenado
______/ ______
Wednesday, March 16
Mayra Santos Febres: Los nevados picachos de Aibonito
______/ ______
Monday, March 21: Spring Break
Wednesday, March 23: Spring Break
Monday, March 28:
Tema del mes: México pasado y presente
Rosario Castellanos: Lección de cocina
______/ ______
Wednesday, March 30
Rosario Castellanos: La muerte de tigre
______/ ______
Monday, April 4
Entrega del ensayo 2
Juan Villoro: La alcoba dormida
______/ ______
Wednesday, April 6
Juan Villoro: La casa pierde 1 (p. 169-180)
Monday, April 11
Juan Villoro: La casa pierde 2 (p. 181-190)
______/ ______
Wednesday, April 13
Repaso
Monday, April 18
Examen 2
Wednesday, April 20
Tema del mes: Introducción a la historia contemporánea de Chile (Augusto Pinochet y Salvador Allende)
Monday, April 25
Antonio Skármeta: Los días del arcoíris I (p. 9-50)
Wednesday, April 27
Antonio Skármeta: Los días del arcoíris II (p. 51-106)
Monday, May 2
Antonio Skármeta: Los días del arcoíris III (p. 107-157)
Wednesday, May 4
Antonio Skármeta: Los días del arcoíris IV (p. 159-191)
Monday, May 9
Antonio Skármeta:Los días del arcoíris V (p. 193- 234)
Wednesday, May 11
Repaso
Entrega del ensayo 3 (4 páginas sin contar la bibliografía): hasta el 18 de mayo a las 5 de la tarde. No se aceptará ninguna entrega del ensayo tarde nipor correo electrónico.