SPAN Xxxxinstructor: Kristin Connor

SPAN XXXXInstructor: Kristin Connor

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Early Colonial Texts, Imperialism, Race, and Gender

Description: This course seeks to introduce students to canonical early colonial Spanish American texts ranging from Cristobal Colón to El Inca Garcilaso. The course is designed not only to introduce students to these literary texts but to also acquaint them with historical context and foster analytical and interpretation skills when approaching primary texts. Students will be asked to analyze and synthesize major canonical works of the early colonial period, to think critically about issues of imperialism, race and gender, and to develop their reading and writing skills in Spanish.

Required texts: Cristobal Colón’s letters (provided by professor)

Hernán Cortés Cartas de relación (provided by professor)

Bernal del Castillo: La verdadera historia de la conquista (online)

Cabeza de Vaca: Naufragios

De las Casas: Brevisima relación de la destrucción de las indias

Ercilla: La Araucana

El Inca Garcilaso: Comentarios reales

Broken Spears

Restall

Grading and Assignments:

Participation: 20%

Homework and in-class assignments: 15%

Quizzes: 15%

Short Papers:20%

Final Paper: 30%

Participation: Students are expected to attend class regularly with no more than 3 unexcused absences. Active participation includes engaging in group and partner work, contributing to class discussion, meeting minimum requirements for the online discussion boards and preparing thoughtful questions for class based on the readings and discussion board activity.

Homework and in-class assignments: In addition to being responsible for the primary and secondary texts assigned for reading, students will also be expected to complete a variety of writing assignments both at home and in the class. Students will also need to complete 1 presentation during the semester and other group activities.

Quizzes: There will be pop-quizzes that will cover the content of the readings assigned for that day. Only the primary texts will be tested on, not secondary sources.

Short Papers: There are 5 major sections and themes for this class and a short 1-2 page paper that addresses major themes and questions will be required at the end of each.

Final Paper: The final paper is an original research paper (6-8 pages) that must be approved by the professor before work can begin. There will be a number of steps involved, including writing an outline/flow chart, a first draft, peer review, a rough draft and a final draft. All versions and all steps of the process must be turned in with the final paper in an organized portfolio.

Syllabus:

DateIn-classHomework